1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk R2 Supercharged

1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk R2 Supercharged

In April of 1963 Studebaker introduced what they called Super Hawk and Super Lark. These cars were equipped with the complete high performance Avanti package. They were available in either R1 or R2 performance packages. These included the supercharged engines, heavy duty suspension and the unique round front badge.

For consignment, a true performer in the form of the top performance package the R2 GT Hawk, Code 46A. This car is fully documented and is featured in the Studebaker 1962-1964 Gran Turismo Book. It presents in beautifully restored condition, with all correct badging, and the masterpiece under the hood. It is unknown how many of these survived, but it is thought to be less than 10, and even fewer in this condition.

ExteriorLooking very Studebaker with its rounded lazy V chromed front grille that the hood molds into. A single round headlight flanks the grille and just below more egg crate horizontal openings house the turn signal light. A shiny bumper is below, and the round red and blue with a delineating elongated S badge has stars on the red side and the R2 on the blue side. Gaps are well minded, steel is straight and rust free, and nice trimmings wrap the edges of the wheel wells and rocker covering. The windshield has a large polished frame surrounding it and a wide ribbed B pillar lower covering melts nicely into the rear quarter shiny trimmings on either side. The rear glass is inset somewhat forming a small visor on back. The sleek trunk deck has a large stainless ribbed panel on the back and vertical bezeled tail lighting is on either corner. Below in a black field are the S T U D E B A K E R H A W K letters running across the panel. The rear bumper is looking good and shiny and dual exhaust peek out the rear. Nice scalloped S badged wheel covers are wrapped by medium wide white wall tires. Beautiful red paint covers most of the surfaces with just a few minor faults, and on the doors is a gold Gran Tourismo badge in grandmother's handwriting.

InteriorDoor panels start us out with vertical tuck and roll uppers, a brushed aluminum panel streaking through the center housing the small black shiny armrest, and black carpeting is reserved for the door lowers. Inside nice low back wide buckets, also in black vinyl with some tuck and roll inserts flank a center console. In the back is a big bench with more black tuck and roll, the brushed stainless center panel and the black carpeting below and on the floors. Noted in the backs of the front buckets are large chromed ash receptacles and an elastic banded pouch. As we scan forward from the console, we can see the shift lever and chromed indicator and another ash receptacle. The dash which takes on a somewhat futuristic layout has perfectly preserved wood appliqu and several round gauges with black faces, white numbers and white pointers. All these, including the 2 smaller circles that intersect have shiny chrome bezels. In the center is the factory AM radio and in front of the passenger, another glovebox with a vanity inside. The original steering wheel is fronting this dash and has an almost front grille shaped chromed horn "ring" if you will. A padded ribbed top for the dash all looking wonderful. Calling Buck Rogers, Buck Rogers can you pick up the nearest courtesy phone!

DrivetrainIn the engine bay, which is lickable, it's that clean, sits the technology of the day in the form of a 289ci V8 that has a Paxton Supercharger, (in red), feeding it from in front of the single 4-barrel carburetor. There is a 3-speed automatic Power Shift transmission, which gives the driver the option of shifting through the gears manually, but with no clutch. Power flows rearward through a Dana 44 3.32 gear rear axle. All is just beautifully restored under this hood.

UndercarriageWe see rust free floorpans and a nice rust free black painted frame. Dual exhaust makes its way rearward for the supercharged mill, and along the way pass by independent coil spring suspension up front, and leaf springs for the back. Power disc braking is upfront, and power drums for the rear.

Drive-AbilityStepping in for a test drive I was very excited as one does not get to drive one of these every day. In fact, I've personally only seen one other of these come through our doors, and that one had the supercharger removed. It performed as it should, solid braking, nice smooth acceleration, and the shifter is kinda cool enabling me to automatically stick shift. The radio was not operating, and the wipers did not wipe when the lever was on high speed.

A truly rare bird, and in very good condition, completely restored and ready to go and show. The R2 performance package, and snappy futuristic dash, and red paint and lots of chrome trimmings. Overall, the car has a stately classy look with the front grille and rear design, but it definitely can bite under the hood.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.