Vehicle Description
1962 Studebaker Hawk GT
The 1962 Studebaker Hawk GT must be counted as one of the greatest
under-the-gun automotive styling achievements of all time. By 1962,
Studebaker's corporate meltdown was reaching critical mass. In the
midst of much uncertainty Brooks Stevens Design was handed the
unenviable task of restyling the Hawk on a shoestring budget. He
created such an elegant design, as the 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk was
nothing short of miraculous.
The '62 Studebaker Hawks had their wings clipped in back, a rounded
rectangular rear fender line replaced the former canted fins. A
sharp Thunderbird-style roof replaced Raymond Loewy's softly curved
roofline. Side brightwork gave way to understated ribbed
rocker-panel guards and side trim running the length of the
beltline atop the fenders. This is our current consignment, a 1962
Studebaker Hawk GT. She's in beautiful condition, and rare as a
hen's tooth. Check this wonderful car out...read onward!
Exterior
This beautiful bathed in black Hawk swoops into the halls and shows
off those new lines in straight steel, good gaps, and excellent
chrome trim. Upfront it is "nosed" with a big chromed grille
surround and meshed grille. On either edge is a single chromed
visored headlight, which sits on the front of the nicely shaped
front quarters which are topped with a jet like trimming and a
long-chromed contrail running the length of the top of the belt
line. A stately looking bumper is below on front and is the
beginnings of the wheel well wraparound chrome and rocker trimmings
which adorn this car. Taking styling from the T bird, a vent can be
seen behind the wheel well on the front quarter. Also, a T
bird-esque roof line for the hardtop complete with large chrome
trim on the bottom of the B pillars. On back lantern style
taillights are framing another chrome panel which could be
described as a rear grille panel. However, it is on the trunk lid,
and adding some bling to the back. A chromed rear bumper follows
the contour of the back, and turbine style wheel covers are wrapped
in wide white rubber all around. A shout out to the rear window,
which is nearly completely vertical, and is framed by the B pillars
in chrome, but is a curved specimen, and inset into the back of the
car. Beautiful styling overall.
Interior
A swing of the doors, and we can see red tuck and roll vinyl top
panels which are broken up from the lower black carpeted panel by
an etched aluminum square textured strip, which houses the door
pulls in red. Moving inside to the original dash, it is a simple
design, but effective with figure 8 gauges surrounding a central
circular speedometer. These are embedded in an angled wood applique
panel and fronted by the golden hawk badged steering wheel. In
front of the passenger is more of the etched square design textured
aluminum in large panels housing the radios and making up the door
of the glovebox. Looking to the beautiful red vinyl seating, the
work tailored comes to mind. All buttoned up (without buttons!) red
vinyl tuck and roll inserts are framed by smooth red bolsters,
which sport piping surrounds in red. A center console in red is
there to house an additional storage area, and the ashtray. A rear
bench is indeed taken from the front bucket design but is formed
into one single bench with a central armrest. Perfect black carpet
floods the floors, and in true Studebaker class stying, the
headliner is in white, but has the addition of chrome strips added
between the panels. It's the details that count on this car!
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a restored engine bay with a colorful array of
golden yellow valve covers, an orange oil filler tube cap, and some
red hoses. All these accouterments gather 'round on the original
289ci V8 topped with a single 2-barrel carburetor. A 3-speed
Flight-O-Matic transmission is on back, and a 3.31 rear axle is the
standard fare.
Undercarriage
Nicely patina, and rust free straight structurally sound steel
covers the underside of this car. All is looking good under here
with good undercoating doing its job. Power drum brakes are all
around, and independent coil spring suspension upfront and leaf
springs are on the back. Noted the muffler will need to be replaces
as it has a sizable hole in it. All else is really good!
Drive-Ability
A quick starter for this classic, smooth idling, and with a flip of
the column automatic shifter we were off to the test track. Here it
accelerated from a standstill respectfully and got up to speed
quickly with no complaints. Handling was good, and brakes were nice
and quick to react. A good cruiser and head turner for sure. Noted
is the horn and heater blower are inoperable.
Brooke Stevens really did it right with this design, and this car
is a great example and tribute to that design. Well preserved as a
restored example, nice chrome, perfect badging, and interesting
interior and exterior styling from an era where Studebaker was
seeing waning sales because the public was losing confidence in the
company, but not because they were building sub par cars.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.