Vehicle Description
1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk R2 Supercharged
In April of 1963 Studebaker introduced what they called Super Hawk
and Super Lark. These cars were equipped with the complete high
performance Avanti package. They were available in either R1 or R2
performance packages. These included the supercharged engines,
heavy duty suspension and the unique round front badge.
For consignment, a true performer in the form of the top
performance package the R2 GT Hawk, Code 46A. This car is fully
documented and is featured in the Studebaker 1962-1964 Gran Turismo
Book. It presents in beautifully restored condition, with all
correct badging, and the masterpiece under the hood. It is unknown
how many of these survived, but it is thought to be less than 10,
and even fewer in this condition.
Exterior
Looking very Studebaker with its rounded lazy V chromed front
grille that the hood molds into. A single round headlight flanks
the grille and just below more egg crate horizontal openings house
the turn signal light. A shiny bumper is below, and the round red
and blue with a delineating elongated S badge has stars on the red
side and the R2 on the blue side. Gaps are well minded, steel is
straight and rust free, and nice trimmings wrap the edges of the
wheel wells and rocker covering. The windshield has a large
polished frame surrounding it and a wide ribbed B pillar lower
covering melts nicely into the rear quarter shiny trimmings on
either side. The rear glass is inset somewhat forming a small visor
on back. The sleek trunk deck has a large stainless ribbed panel on
the back and vertical bezeled tail lighting is on either corner.
Below in a black field are the S T U D E B A K E R H A W K letters
running across the panel. The rear bumper is looking good and shiny
and dual exhaust peek out the rear. Nice scalloped S badged wheel
covers are wrapped by medium wide white wall tires. Beautiful red
paint covers most of the surfaces with just a few minor faults, and
on the doors is a gold Gran Tourismo badge in grandmother's
handwriting.
Interior
Door panels start us out with vertical tuck and roll uppers, a
brushed aluminum panel streaking through the center housing the
small black shiny armrest, and black carpeting is reserved for the
door lowers. Inside nice low back wide buckets, also in black vinyl
with some tuck and roll inserts flank a center console. In the back
is a big bench with more black tuck and roll, the brushed stainless
center panel and the black carpeting below and on the floors. Noted
in the backs of the front buckets are large chromed ash receptacles
and an elastic banded pouch. As we scan forward from the console,
we can see the shift lever and chromed indicator and another ash
receptacle. The dash which takes on a somewhat futuristic layout
has perfectly preserved wood applique and several round gauges with
black faces, white numbers and white pointers. All these, including
the 2 smaller circles that intersect have shiny chrome bezels. In
the center is the factory AM radio and in front of the passenger,
another glovebox with a vanity inside. The original steering wheel
is fronting this dash and has an almost front grille shaped chromed
horn "ring" if you will. A padded ribbed top for the dash all
looking wonderful. Calling Buck Rogers, Buck Rogers can you pick up
the nearest courtesy phone!
Drivetrain
In the engine bay, which is lickable, it's that clean, sits the
technology of the day in the form of a 289ci V8 that has a Paxton
Supercharger, (in red), feeding it from in front of the single
4-barrel carburetor. There is a 3-speed automatic Power Shift
transmission, which gives the driver the option of shifting through
the gears manually, but with no clutch. Power flows rearward
through a Dana 44 3.32 gear rear axle. All is just beautifully
restored under this hood.
Undercarriage
We see rust free floorpans and a nice rust free black painted
frame. Dual exhaust makes its way rearward for the supercharged
mill, and along the way pass by independent coil spring suspension
up front, and leaf springs for the back. Power disc braking is
upfront, and power drums for the rear.
Drive-Ability
Stepping in for a test drive I was very excited as one does not get
to drive one of these every day. In fact, I've personally only seen
one other of these come through our doors, and that one had the
supercharger removed. It performed as it should, solid braking,
nice smooth acceleration, and the shifter is kinda cool enabling me
to automatically stick shift. The radio was not operating, and the
wipers did not wipe when the lever was on high speed.
A truly rare bird, and in very good condition, completely restored
and ready to go and show. The R2 performance package, and snappy
futuristic dash, and red paint and lots of chrome trimmings.
Overall, the car has a stately classy look with the front grille
and rear design, but it definitely can bite under the hood.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
