1960 Studebaker Hawk

We are delighted to be offering for sale a 1960 Studebaker Hawk, an original right-hand drive car no less. This is a rare beast as not many Hawks were exported to Europe. Most were left-hand drive and were sent to Belgium for onward shipping. UK cars were shipped directly from the US.

Import duties in the UK at the time meant that a right-hooker would cost an extra £600 in duties and purchase tax and take up was therefore modest.

Our seller is a serial Studebaker owner, and this car is the third he has owned. He is also Vice President of the British Studebaker Club and somewhat of an expert on the marque.

He restored the Hawk over 30 years ago and has continued to lavish it with care and attention during his long period of ownership.

Amongst his many talents, he is sheet metal worker, mechanic, and MoT tester, so well qualified to keep this American beauty on the road and in tiptop fettle.

He has made a number of improvements over the years, such as adding power steering and improving the braking set up.

The car has joined many of the Studebaker club tours and has been used regularly. Advancing years is now making home maintenance more of a challenge, so it is with some reluctance that we have been charged with finding the Hawk a new home.

We are told that there may be as few as three right-hand drive Hawks in the UK now, and that this car is likely to be the only 1960 model. So, rare it most certainly is!

In our photo gallery you will see some photos of the Hawk before our seller commenced his full restoration, some 30 years or so ago. The car was in a sorry state, with mismatched panels and corrosion aplenty.

With the requisite skill set necessary, our seller embarked on a careful restoration which of course included a full respray in white. This has been no trailer queen since, but a much used and enjoyed classic and there are now some signs that the paintwork may need some attention in places once more.

There are areas of chipped paint, especially on the bonnet, and close to the front headlights. The driver’s door also shows signs of ageing around the handle.

The lower part of the boot lid shows signs of degradation with cracks and chips in places.

As per most US cars of the period, there is plenty of chrome to be seen. The perfectionist may wish to rechrome some of it, such as the rear light surrounds.

The whitewall tyres complete the period look and we gather these were purchased new from a specialist around four years ago.

The observant will have spotted the rather fine registration number proudly displayed on the Hawk. We gather it is the original number first given to the car in 1960. Born to be wild!

During the car’s extensive restoration, the interior was of course subject to our seller’s careful attention too.

A replacement carpet set sourced from the US. Our seller has mentioned that their fit ended up not being to his high standards.

Professional trimmers recovered the seats. These still look very smart, but we do note a little damage to the passenger side of the front seat, which may be easily repaired. A new headliner was also fitted.

The door cards are showing signs of age and perhaps could do with repair in one or two places.

The period dash is an absolute delight with lovely gauges and the radio undoubtedly the star attraction. We gather the latter works too.

The column shifter for the automatic transmission sits proudly on the right and is simplicity in itself to use.

The boot, or should we say trunk, features the spare wheel, plus a jack and wheel brace make up the tool set.

We always include plenty of photographs of a car’s underside and that is the case here. Our seller replaced the rotten areas of floor during the restoration. We suggest you spend some time and take in the condition, or indeed see it in person should you wish - please use the contact seller button.

The engine compartment is similarly snapped in all its glory and all the signs of careful maintenance are there to see. Much work has recently been completed to ensure that the car runs and drives well, which our seller says it does.

Fuel economy is said to be 18/19mpg around town with up to 27mpg possible on a gentle longer run.

A programme of continual improvement has been our seller’s modus operandi. And being a mechanic, all the work has been carried out by him.

Just last year the engine received some attention and was subject to a rebuild. With the heads off, there was no discernible wear to the valves, we are told by the vendor.

Other work carried out includes the fitment of power assisted steering, apparently never offered as an option on right-hand drive cars. Studebaker components were used.

The front brakes have been uprated and now the Hawk boasts 11-inch ventilated discs. These were from a Ford Mustang and apparently just bolted straight on. The car reportedly now stops well.

The front anti-roll bar was uprated to one from a GT Hawk, which helps improve the car’s road holding immeasurably.

Should a spell of heavy traffic be encountered, the auxiliary electric fan helps keep everything cool.

The washer pump has gained some electric assistance too, so no more dribbles from the washer jets.

Air shocks have been fitted to the back of the Hawk, improving the ride we are told.

Helping to extract maximum power from the engine is the four-barrel Holley carburettor.

Being a former MoT tester, our seller has had the car tested every year, the last being carried out earlier this month. One minor advisory was noted, this being the only one ever recorded since the online MoT records began in 2005. Impressive stuff.

This rare and unusual car will always be a talking point at car shows and is guaranteed to draw a crowd wherever it travels.

Being an original right-hand drive car is of course a boon on our ever more congested roads and with the sensible modifications made by our seller, this is a car that can be used every day if so required.

A spruce up of the bodywork in places will doubtless be on the cards, but other than that, this slice of Americana would appear to be all set and ready for exciting new adventure.

We estimate the car will sell for between £20,000 and £30,000. Find another!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.