Monday, March 28, 2011

Gran Turismo


Gran Turismo, originally uploaded by William 74.
Another week, another Motorcar Monday! This week's entry is another sadly decrepit classic car, a '64 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk. The GT Hawk was the final development of the Hawk series, which began production in the mid fifties. By the early sixties Studebaker was in financial difficulties, with declining sales and an aging-if still interesting-product line.

The Hawks were restyled for '61, courtesy of designer Brooks Stevens, and the cars got a cleaner, up to date look. The GT Hawk also had higher performing engines, including supercharged options, and a more luxurious interior. Sadly, it was a case of too little, too late, and in late 1963 Studebaker closed its South Bend plant, and with it ended Hawk production once and for all. Studebaker itself would soldier on for only two more seasons.

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