Sold for: $ 22,575

Beginning with the 1963 model year, the "Jet Thrust" R- series V-8 engines designed for the Avanti could be ordered throughout the Studebaker line. They were dressed in the upgraded “Chrome Sport Appearance Package” with easy to identify Chrome valve covers, chrome high flow air cleaner, chrome valley pan cover and other trim. Handling and braking improvements were made to match the high-performance engines, with front and rear anti-roll bars, rear radius rods, heavy-duty springs, and the same power front disc brakes as Aston Martin. All were available ala carte or in a "Super Hawk" package (introduced mid year) with a Jet Thrust “R” type engine. Avanti engines that were factory installed in Hawks had serial numbers beginning with "JT****”, rather than the "R" prefixes used in Avantis. This Gran Turismo Super Hawk offered is indeed an Extremely Rare factory delivered special ordered “Super Hawk” with factory tachometer and full instrumentation. Only 56 GT Hawks were built with this (Super Hawk) package configuration and only 12 examples are known to survive today. An unmolested, original Arizona delivered dry desert car with one owner for almost 50 years. It retains its strong running original drive train with Twin Traction locking rear differential ( 3.31 :1 posi) and numbers matching Avanti 289 V8 engine serial# JT1448 visible on the engine block, just as it appears on the factory invoice. With only 89,000 original miles, the original interior looks fresh in like new condition, which helps it win Best Of Show awards in Orange County. Who else would know how to special order a “Super Hawk” equipped Race Born thoroughbred package prior to official Studebaker sales channel release, except none other than the service managing shop foreman of B.G. Motors in Wilcox Arizona. Delivered new to him, serviced and pampered by him, and parked in the same garage at his home for those 50 years. The steering column is still wrapped with his original registration in its card holder, affixed with springy retainer bands. When removed from moth balls under its protective car cover from the same garage, it was given a complete thorough refreshing and sorting out to the tune of thousands of dollars. Dried and brittle from non use, the engine and valve seals, transmission and pinion seals and gaskets were replaced with NOS seals and gaskets. The fuel system was completely remanufactured to include the original carburetor, fuel pump, lines, filters and even the original gas tank was redone. NOS Water pump, hoses and belts were installed. The original factory installed “Climatizer” Air Conditioning system was redone and blows ice cold air! The factory power disc brake system was remanufactured to include the power booster and master cylinder as well. Every attention to detail has been adhered to in preserving its originality. Included with the purchase are the original owners manual, accessories pamphlet, the passenger car production order (factory invoice) and build sheet, B.G. Motors embossed dealership papers bill fold and even the original Studebaker issued owner service and warranty card. New American made concourse correct bias ply tires, complete the correct original looking demeanor of its stance and excellent cruising capabilities. It is a delight to highway cruise or sporting around town. The GT Hawk was fairly light for an American car of its class and era, and these engines made it a sound performer; “R” engines just amplified the GT Hawk's performance capabilities. Despite the fact that Studebaker's 289 V8 was a heavy engine for its size, the Hawk was by most accounts, a car with surprisingly good handling, as well as strong straight-line performance. Andy Granatelli, then president of Studebaker's Paxton Products Division, took two Gran Turismo Hawks to the Bonneville Salt Flats in September and October 1963. Both cars left the South Bend factory with regular-production 289 V8 engines. The Hawks were among several Studebakers that were run at Bonneville during this time period. The company's cars set 72 USAC records in September, and raised that to 337 the following month. For 1963 the car was slightly restyled, with contoured refinements to the front, sides, and rear. Round parking lights below the headlights replaced the previous rectangular ones, set into the corners of the newly-closed side grilles that bore a squared pattern of lines over fine mesh. This same squared mesh pattern was carried over onto the main grille, replacing the simple fine mesh of the 1962 models. Early in 1963 production the parking light bezels were changed and the right side of the dash became wood grain, matching the area around the instruments. The doors had red, white, and blue emblems added next to the Gran Turismo script emblems, and at the rear, the aluminum overlay's colors were reversed with red, white, and blue added to the Hawk emblem on the top of the trunk lid. Inside, 1963 Hawks have vertical pleats in the seat upholstery, replacing the 1962's horizontal pleats, and have far superior quality. Studebaker's exclusive USA distribution of Mercedes-Benz influence is seen in the prominent front grill. The Gran Turismo Hawk was a marriage of both European styling and American influences.