Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional example of
this beautifully restored and rust free 1962 Studebaker Gran
Turismo Hawk 289/225HP 4BBL V8 rare 4 speed manual coupe, a super
striking example repainted in its original 'Ermine White' color
paint with a Red interior and original factory wheels with new
white wall tires. The floor boards, trunk and all the typical
rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free - obviously an
always garaged and cherished car since new! 1 of 9,335 Gran Turismo
Hawks for 1962 1 of 2,911 in 'Ermine White', of those 2,911 only
1,441 were fitted with Red vinyl interiors. Of those 1,441 'Ermine
White/Red GT Hawks only 536 were equipped with a 4 speed
transmission. Of those 536 only 284 were equipped with a four
barrel carburetor. The car looks extremely impressive with the
interior in exceptionally good and mostly completely original
looking condition throughout with its original 'Studebaker' AM
radio! The dashboard, the headliner, the carpets and all the seats
have been restored and are in absolutely exceptional condition
throughout! All the chrome-work has also been restored and the
original spare wheel and jack are located in their compartment in
the trunk. The car was special ordered with the rare High
Performance package, verified with Studebaker Museum documentation
and dash plaque. This special order GT is equipped with the factory
4 barrel carburetor 289 V8, dual exhaust and TT (twin traction) and
4 speed manual transmission (4 speed stick on the floor) The
Studebaker Museum verified there were only 284 GT s ordered
equipped this way. Recently refurbished with new 'Ermine White'
over rust free (California/Arizona) sheet metal, new chrome
bumpers, and professionally polished stainless steel trim. The
interior was also refurbished with new foam and a complete detail,
study the photos. It performs like a high performance 1962 muscle
car, a pleasure to drive. Under the hood the engine and engine bay
are also refurbished and the trunk floor is also solid rust free.
The under carriage has been power washed and remnants of some
undercoating remain with usual surface corrosion visible, but no
rot or rust, again this vehicle is California / Arizona vehicle.
The car has a correct 289 V8 engine which is extremely strong and
powerful and this particular car drives absolutely magnificently -
must be driven to be believed - drives straight as an arrow with no
strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily
driver that will give any modern day sports car a run for it's
money! The transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears,
there are no noticeable oil leaks and the temperature always
remains cool! After the Ford Thunderbird had been restyled in the
late fifties, the Studebaker Golden Hawk emerged as one of the most
handsome two door coupes on the market in 1956 with performance to
match its styling. In 1962, the last year in which Packard would be
part of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation, the company's president
Sherwood Egbert enlisted the renown designer, Brooks Stevens, to
modernize and redesign the Hawk and Lark. Stevens created the the
new Hawk model with flowing lines and squarer shapes and it was
newly named the'Gran Turismo' Hawk and proved to be even better
than before with this last generation of the Hawk (1962-64) to be
the only one to earn the coveted 'Milestone Car Status' recognition
of the 'Milestone Car Society' of post war cars (1945-72) who
judged their cars in five catagories; styling, engineering,
roadability, performance and innovation and craftsmanship. A
Milestone car had to be superior to its contemporaries in at least
two of these catagories. The GT Hawk Coupe was an update of the
pillar-less Hawk body-style of the mid to late 1950's with a bolder
grille and a more formal roof-line. Still built on the old 'Loewry
Coupe' bodyshell and 120.5" wheelbase from 1953 minus the 1957-61
now outdated tail-fins, Stevens added a Thunderbird style formal
roof with broad C-pillars, removed needless trim from the bodysides
and outlined them in bright metal, installed a new three element
dash design with enough room for a clock and large tachometer.
Powered by a 289/225HP V8 engine, it had a top speed of 120mph and
although the updated continuation of Studebaker's sporty
four-seater coupe received good press, it unfortunately couldn't
save the 'Studebaker Corporation', which had been founded as a
wagon producer back in 1852 and sadly folded in 1966. In summary,
this particular example must be amongst one of the rarest available
anywhere with a 4 speed manual transmission and in great daily
driving and turn-key ready condition to enjoy today! An obviously
always garaged and rust free example of this increasingly desirable
and collectible 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk 289 V8 coupe! A
sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the years for
any classic American sixties car collector or simply any Studebaker
enthusiast!
