1963 Studebaker GT Hawk Coupe (RHD)

Description

Last in a line of the Studebaker coupes that could trace its origins back to the Raymond Loewy original of 1953, the Gran Turismo Hawk was introduced in 1962 and did away with the previous model's curves and fins. Under the direction of designer Brooks Stevens, the roofline was squared-off and the body largely devoid of superfluous decoration in keeping with styling trends of the day, with the exception of chrome rocker panels. The frontal aspect was similarly cleaned up. Built on a 120-inch wheelbase, the Gran Turismo Hawk was Studebaker's flagship model and most were sold in eight-cylinder guise, either with a compact 259 or 289-cid V8 under the bonnet, although a smaller 170-cid six was also available to North American customers. The 289-cid V8 was a powerful engine, developing 210 hp at 4500 rpm and endowed the Gran Turismo Hawk with excellent performance. Inside the Studebaker had a suitable bespoke interior with a wraparound dash with full instrumentation and bucket seats. Only minor detail changes were made for 1963 and a total of 4,634 Hawks were made in total that year, the final year of production at the famous South Bend, Indiana plant that closed on December 9, 1963. Production thereafter shifted to Canada, although limited numbers were assembled here in Australia for local buyers. Around 400 are thought to have been built in Australia from CKD and differed in having split bench seats in place of the buckets used in their American counterparts.