1962 Studebaker GT Hawk Engine First Start on Run Stand

Quick video showing the 289 V8 and Flightomatic transmission mounted on the engine run stand, and the first startup of the engine.

[@lvsqcsl]

I remember back in the early '80's my dad and me were at the local K-mart store. One of the owners of the original Studebaker dealership in my hometown had a 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk. I asked dad if that was a new car, to which he replied, "No. That car is 20 years old." It looked that modern. Studebaker was way ahead of their time in styling. I think that 289 was a Studebaker engine. In December, 1963 the foundry that cast engine blocks was shut down in South Bend, Indiana. After that, Studebaker had to source engines from McKinnon Industries that was based on the small-block 283 Chevrolet engine. IIRC, Studebaker used Borg-Warner transmissions and went to Checker Motors that manufactured the Marathon and Taxicab to help with an adapter because they had just converted to the Chevrolet engine/Borg-Warner transmission combo. Engine sounds good. GREAT VIDEO!

[@r1lark]

Thanks for the kind words! And thanks for the great story. Yes, you are right on about the bellhousing that Studebaker used to attach the McKinnon engine to the BW tranny -- it was the same as Checker's. Not sure if Studebaker actually bought them from Checker, or went to Checker's supplier. Thank you very much for watching and commenting!

[@paulvetter7242]

Congratulations, nice work. Sounds very smooth. The box fan will look funny strapped to the bumper, though.

[@r1lark]

I'll have to paint the box fan to match the car! 🙂🙂 Thank you for the kind words. It will still need some fine tuning, but was happy with the first runs.

[@alanmize5627]

eng really sounds good

[@r1lark]

Thanks, hopefully it will run good too. 🙂