1962 GT Hawk

The exterior.  The hood from the older Hawk’s remained (for 1962 only) minis the chrome air scoop, but retaining the raised area.  However, a new much lighter front grille that closely resembled that of a Mercedes-Benz is added.  The Gran Turismo would draw on American influences as well, with a roof line that looks heavily inspired by the Ford Thunderbird.  A chrome edge that runs from front to rear, at the top of the bodywork, similar to that on the contemporary Lincoln Continental.  The new taillights look like they may also have been borrowed from Lincoln.  The deck lid is given a faux “grille” overlay (to hide the grooves of 1956-61 deck lid), something similar is seen on the rear of the Lincoln Continental.  The rear window is nearly flat and recessed.  New nameplates and emblems, along with a new grooved rocker panel molding, complete the changes.  After a three year hiatus, the GT would come back as a hardtop.  Stevens’s extensive yet inexpensive modifications to the body completely removed 1950s-style tail fins and body side trim of past Hawks, creating that clean luxury look still in high demand today.

 

Stevens new interior, with a modern instrument panel, could be ordered with a full complement of large, easy-to-read gauges, in the correct driver’s line of sight.  The gauge portion of the dash is a three plane affair with wood grain background.  A new metal overlay would cover the rest of the dash.  The top 2/3rd’s of the dash was padded to serve as a crash pad.  Door panels have vertical vinyl pleats on the top, a center metal panel and carpet on the bottom.  This treatment continues on into the back seat panels.  The GT featured front bucket seats and a console, befitting a grand-touring car.  All the seats were upholstered in either cloth and vinyl or all-pleated vinyl.  Sadly, the 62’s vinyl was of very poor quality and quickly cracked along the pleats.  It doubtful any 1962 GT Hawk exists today with usable original upholstery.  1962 GT Hawks were the only year the seat pleats were horizonal.

 

Mechanically the GT Hawk remained very similar to it’s inheritance.  The 289 cu. in. V8 engine is used, along with a Flight-O-Matic, manual four speed, or standard three-speed transmission. The manual three-speed was available with the optional overdrive.  The chassis was very similar to the 1961 Hawk.  The greatest 1962 mechanical change would be a mid-year change making the 289 a full flow oil filter engine.

 

From the front, small rectangular signal/running lights are seen in the two small side grilles.  The surrounds should be painted body color, many of the 1962 GT seen today have chromed surrounds which are not correct, but look nice.  This is the only year, that there would be no emblem on center grille and the grille pattern is simple series of squares.

 

From the side, “Gran Truismo” door badges are present, without the later years red/white/blue badges.  For most of the year, the standard full-wheel covers have a black scallops on the outer edge, with a black lazy “S” in the center on a red center back ground.  The plastic spears on the front fender are about twice as high, as the ones used on the next two years, would be.  Also, are not back-lit.

 

From the rear, the faux “grille” overlay checkered pattern is painted black, while the smooth area containing the script “Studebaker Hawk” is not painted.  The deck lid badge is a chrome circle with a gold Hawk in the center.  The new tail lights have body painted housing with chrome trim around the lens.  Most 1962 GT Hawk, if equipped with a radio have a center mounted rear deck-lid antenna.  This was because the new trim on the front fenders would not allow for a cowl mounted antenna.  This issue was addressed late in the model year when a cowl mount antenna was designed, so 1962 GT Hawks are the most likely ones to have a rear antenna.

 

From the interior, 1962 would be the only GT with horizontal seat insert pleats.  A metal dash overlay is seen on the right 2/3rds of the dash, although some early 1963 models would also feature this overlay until the inventory is used up.

 

 

Hubcaps:  In 1962 there were no less then four different hubcaps that could be correct.  Initially the hubcaps used were exactly the same as 1961 Hawks and Larks, black “S” on chrome center with black peripheral scallops (AC-3071).  Shortly after production began they switched to red centers (AC-3276).  Two optional set were available at extra cost, Air-Flo (AC-3277 left photo) or Air-Strut (AC-3280 right photo).  Both seem to be very rare.

 

 

The photo shown on the left is from a 1963 GT, the name has been removed.  We do not have an image of a 1962 name plate, but expect they were all the same.