Gran Turismo Obscurato: 1963 Studebaker GT Hawk

Sky, Power, Flight, Silver, Golden…no, those aren’t abandoned Captain Planet characters, rather just a sliver of the various Hawks available throughout the 50’s and 60’s. Realizing that perhaps there was some money to be made on this whole flashiness thing, Studebaker kept the momentum started with the Speedster model and launched the Hawk for the noontime scotch and hat-with-panache crowd. Find this 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk insert link here for sale in Lyons, IL for $4,200 via craigslist.

Available with a myriad of engine choices, all except export models were 289 V8’s of different power levels, leather interior, and a trunk that’s large enough to fit a month’s worth of luggage, the Gran Turismo Hawk was made for uniquely American grand touring. Think less winding country roads with vineyard stops, more running from the law.

The Hawk came equipped with either a 3 speed manual with electronic overdrive, 4-on-the-floor, or Ford FMX yawn-o-matic, rebranded as the Powershift. The ad doesn’t specify but given the absence of the overdrive kickout ignition interrupter microswitch on the throttle linkage, I’m betting money on this being a four speed. Don’t be fooled by the number; the 289 was truly a Studebaker V8. While they make good power and sound fantastic, the Stude V8 had Soviet levels of heft.

The interior of a GT Hawk is a place for the 1960’s gentleman, or perhaps Archer. You’ll find ashtrays for every single passenger and the glove box opens to two recessed highball glass holders, for all those things you can’t and shouldn’t really be doing in cars anymore. The headliner is a sight to behold, with stainless steel rafters holding up the perforated vinyl and the dash basically sits directly under the window frame, full of wood paneling, gilded badges, and Stewart Warner gauges. If you want to blow your  more observant passengers’ minds with weird little details, this Hawk is your ride.

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Matt, a self-proclaimed bottom-feeder of the classic car market, spends half of his time buying cars, half of his time retrieving them, and the remaining third on keeping them on the road.