I grew up with Studebakers! My first cafr in High school was a '53 Commander Coupe! My first new car was a '63 Gran Turismo Hawk that I owned for 30 years and put over 240,000 mile on. A superb road car that cruised effortlessly at 80 MPH and averaged 22 MPG when properly tuned. One of my greatest regrets, of many, is selling it, still running, in '93.
That's awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing your story. I love hearing about things like this. I hope some time you are able to get one again and relive those great memories! THANKS!!
@@41GarageandGrill I learned recently I had the ONLY GT Hawk in existence with the R-3 Supercharged Avanti engine, the result of a dealer swap for the R-1 I originally ordered it with. It was capable of pegging the 160 MPH speedometer. Only did that twice in the time I owned it, didn't want to chance blowing the engine like I did in the "53!
@@Valor_73737 Wow! Sounds so cool. I'm sure you have some great pictures of it. Only pegged it twice lol. You are a brave man. That has to be a crazy sensation
@@41GarageandGrill Actually, the Hawk was a tremendous, very stable at any speed cruiser. Had a low center of gravity, a long 120.5" wheelbase, and very well balanced. There was never any feeling of lightness at high speeds. Additionally, the Avanti engine options included a stiffer suspension and stabilizers front and rear. The engine does not sit directly between the front wheels, but a bit behind them. If a line were drawn between the front spindles it would pass about through the water pump resulting in about a 60-40 weight distribution.
I grew up with Studebakers! My first cafr in High school was a '53 Commander Coupe! My first new car was a '63 Gran Turismo Hawk that I owned for 30 years and put over 240,000 mile on. A superb road car that cruised effortlessly at 80 MPH and averaged 22 MPG when properly tuned. One of my greatest regrets, of many, is selling it, still running, in '93.
That's awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing your story. I love hearing about things like this. I hope some time you are able to get one again and relive those great memories! THANKS!!
@@41GarageandGrill I learned recently I had the ONLY GT Hawk in existence with the R-3 Supercharged Avanti engine, the result of a dealer swap for the R-1 I originally ordered it with. It was capable of pegging the 160 MPH speedometer. Only did that twice in the time I owned it, didn't want to chance blowing the engine like I did in the "53!
@@Valor_73737 Wow! Sounds so cool. I'm sure you have some great pictures of it. Only pegged it twice lol. You are a brave man. That has to be a crazy sensation
@@41GarageandGrill Actually, the Hawk was a tremendous, very stable at any speed cruiser. Had a low center of gravity, a long 120.5" wheelbase, and very well balanced. There was never any feeling of lightness at high speeds. Additionally, the Avanti engine options included a stiffer suspension and stabilizers front and rear. The engine does not sit directly between the front wheels, but a bit behind them. If a line were drawn between the front spindles it would pass about through the water pump resulting in about a 60-40 weight distribution.