1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk V8 Hardtop

The 1953 Raymond Loewy-designed coupe models were popular, and Studebaker had underestimated their appeal, resulting in lost sales until production was able to catch up with demand. They would remain in production until assembly was moved to Canada in 1965.

The coupes wore a design by Loewy staffer Robert Bourke and came in several body styles, including a coupe and hardtop, and were powered by sixes and V8s. The 1955 President Speedster was a very elegant version fitted with an up-rated 289 cubic-inch engine and given exclusive colors, and a damascened dashboard with Stewart Warner instruments.


The Studebaker sedan and wagon bodies were styled for 1956, bringing them more in-line with other American cars. The coupe's updates were limited to a nose and tail makeover. The result was the Studebaker Hawk, with fiberglass fins, a slight bustle trunk lid, and several engines to choose from.

The fiberglass fins were short-lived, as they were replaced with steel fins for 1957. Since the Packard engine had gone out of production, the engines were all Studebaker. The Studebaker V8 had reached its displacement limit, so it was given a McCulloch supercharger, resulting in nearly one brake horsepower per cubic inch of displacement.

Designer Brooks Stevens updated the Hawk in 1962 with a more formal appearance. The roof contours were re-worked and the grille was given a broad chrome outer molding. It was also given a new name - the Gran Turismo Hawk. R1 and R2 engine options were available on the Hawk. Hawk production was winding down in 1963 and continued only through the 1964 model year, since the Hawk was discontinued after production was moved to Canada. From a high of nearly 20,000 in 1957, it had dropped to 8,388 in 1962, the GT Hawk's debut year. In 1963, it was 4,634.

This particular example was acquired by the current caretaker in 2014. It is painted in Champagne Gold with bucket seats upholstered in pleated red vinyl. This Gran Turismo Hawk has power steering, power brakes, a radio, a heater-defroster, a center console, a factory tachometer, and an electric clock. Power is from a 289 cubic-inch V8 with dual exhausts and delivers 210 brake horsepower. There is a three-speed Flightomatic transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

Currently, the odometer shows 93,500 miles which is believed to be genuine.

The original owner was Norman Smalley, of Plainfield, Indiana, who took possession of the car on December 27th, 1963.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2015