Learn me Studebaker GT Hawks

There's long story behind this, but suffice it to say I found myself browsing early 60s Studebaker GT Hawks earlier today. A cursory look at what's out there suggests they aren't too rare and surprisingly reasonably priced. Is there some reason I should run screaming into the night, or is the GT Hawk a viable consideration for a classic driver? Were I to acquire something like this, I'd be driving it. Like long roads trips, possibly cross-country. I'm sure parts could be problematic in some cases, but how bad is it? Is this madness or viable without inordinate risk of being stranded somewhere?

like this

In reply to californiamilleghia :

I'd be back-dating that to a '53 model in a heartbeat.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

In reply to californiamilleghia :

I'd be back-dating that to a '53 model in a heartbeat.

Preach.  They never got ugly, but they went from pure sex in '53 to kinda frumpy in the late 50's to real frumpy by '62.

I like them too.  Sometime around 1982, my father took me with him to look at one. Black, red interior, colum shifted 3 speed.  It was a little too rough, but what a cool looking car. 

The chassis dates to the 1953 Studebaker Coupe.  Chassis design is entirely 50's conventional and simple. Front disc brakes were offered in 1963. The GT Hawks share some body panels with the 1953 design.  They're on a 120" wheelbase, so they're bigger than they look.  Different wheels really transform their look if you choose wisely. The vast majority of GT Hawks will have a Studebaker 289 and Borg Warner automatic.  They're not fast but should be fine for a cruiser. The engine is heavy for its displacement, but reliable. The BW auto is nobody's favorite, but will function fine if properly sorted.  4 speeds were available, but not common and you'll pay the 4 speed tax. 3 speeds could be had with OD, giving you 5 forward gears including a highway gear (2nd OD and 3rd direct are pretty close together)  Production numbers for these were fairly modest, declining each year from '62 to '64. 

The Studebaker club is called the Studebaker Driver's Club, so there's a clue there.  Look 'em up and spend some time surfing their forum.  I think you'll find that upgrades exist for almost all systems, but a properly set up stock example should drive pretty well.  

As I said, long story - there's a reason for looking at that particular body style. Not saying something earlier would be out of the question, but I got into this based on specific circumstances.

For anyone's who's driven one, what are they like as highway cars? Typical 50s-60s American I suspect, but any quirks or oddities? Any way to improve the handling without massive expense? And on a different note, were they ever available with air conditioning?

My father never owned one, and he wasn't really even a car guy, but whenever we went to a car show together (often), he was always drawn to the Studebakers. 

The GT Hawk was only 62-64.

I think there is a reason why you rarely find S/P cars with unmolested drivetrains.  I think parts are unobtanium, so most people drop a Camaro 7.5" in the back and a 350 up front.... sadly.

I used to drive past this car on my way to and from college. Always loved seeing it on my journey.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Parts are not at all hard to source. Lots of NOS still around, and the engines are super reliable, and stunningly heavy for the displacement. They still have king pins, which are probably the weakest link in a dated design.The factory disc brakes were Dunlop style, so not great. Modern calipers with generous pad size are a bolt on conversion from Turner Brakes. The reason for all the Chevy conversions is power and 200lbs removed from the front end. Rear is Dana. Bolt pattern for the wheels is 5x4.5, so super common. Chassis tuning is a little firmer than American average, but the steering ratio is super slow. Factory A/C happened, but it is rare. Power steering is pretty common, and linkage assit design. Dual master cylinder kit is off the shelf available. Studebaker Drivers Club is a spectacular resource.

Not a lot of technical detail, but here's a pretty good model history with notes on design background and year-to-year changes.

https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/studebaker-hawk-history/