Charles Phoenix JOYRIDE - 1961 Studebaker Hawk

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING ... this was my first time ever driving a 1961 Hawk ... or any other Studebaker for that matter ... and I was VERY IMPRESSED ... solid and sure !!! ... Style-wise and otherwise ... this space age spellbinder is a classy combo of sporty and formal at the same … So sit back and enjoy the JOYRIDE !!! ...

[@davidkastin4240]

Stunning Hawk. One of the best looking American cars ever made 💙

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Yes, very nice David!

[@PeBoVision]

My dream car when I was 10 years old and 20. and 30. and 40. and 50. and 60... To this day, the Studebaker Hawk (and to a lesser extent the Speedster) are the most exquisitely beautiful American production cars ever to roll off the line. The Hawk will always be my dream car.

[@royperry2859]

Studenaker does not get credit for creating the first personal luxury coupe in the Hawk.

[@thisguy9815]

Because Lincoln did it first with the Continental Mark II

[@eugenepiurkowski5439]

@@thisguy9815 Mark II was introduced in October 1955 and the Studebaker Hawk came out a couple of weeks later.... Have no idea which one began production first or was sold to the public.

[@garylangley4502]

I bought a 1962 Hawk in 1975 or '76 and enjoyed it for years. The first thing I noticed about this '61 Hawk is that the exhaust sound, and the sound of the solid lifters were exactly the same as mine. "Behold the glory!"

[@plee4139]

I've got low-restriction mufflers on my Sky Hawk and the low-tone rumble from the pipes is sooo nice!

[@garylangley4502]

@@plee4139 Not long after I bought my Hawk, I had glass packs installed, and a cross over pipe. It had a great sound, and the cross over pipe increased the low end torque.

[@bradjohnson9986]

I often find myself longing for a time when we can come upon someone more effusive than Mr. Phoenix. HA! I'm a kidder. Thank you so much, Charles, for reminding us we have been privileged to have some incredible experiences to hold and remember.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Thank you Charles for showcasing this gorgeous Studebaker Hawk, a true slice of Americana!!!!! I Know!!! 👍👍

[@davethorstry6700]

Had the pleasure of owning five Studs in total, three larks, one Daytona and last a 63 Hawk GT. No greater car, the sound of that v8 is very different and incomparable.

[@godfreyberry1599]

Agreed - nothing on earth sounds as sublime as that Stud V8.

[@cjdesign5700]

Fantastic Charles! Thanks!!! We drove from Maine to Alabama in a Hawk when my Dad went to Officer Training.

[@carltwidle9046]

I think these Studebakers to be one of the best looking American cars ever made. Stylish car design. I old enough to remember these on the road. The 4 door models were more popular.

[@spiff8862]

Oh, how I miss the sounds of a V-8. That Hawk brought back so many memories as a kid growing up in the San Fernando Valley hearing a V-8's burble headed down the street.

[@jamesleathers5488]

What an awesome car. I would love to have one of those. Their main manufacturing plant was in South Bend, IN but they had a plant in Canada as well. True classics indeed.

[@FoxeemaTV]

my dad worked 19 years at the studebaker Canada plant till the end in 1966..thank you ..find more please..

[@kickinghorse2405]

Best car video presentation EVER!!! (in the history of the world car video presentations).

[@discerningmind]

Charles, Thanks again! Wonderful! And big thank you to Steve for taking great care of this car. Steve's attire looks good too. Take it from an old gearhead, that exhaust has the most sinister sound ever. Haha!

[@randyluca6339]

Charles, you outdid yourself with that gorgeous black Studebaker Hawk. That is one sweeeeet ride, and with the vintage neon from the motel made the Hawk look so elegant and sporty. I know. Way to go Charles. Can’t wait for the next fantastic ride. PS, the Big Boy Restaurant was killer. Miss them in my area. All closed.

[@MrGilstorf]

Charles, I stumbled upon your channel last week and can’t get enough. Great videos and it gives me a whole new appreciation for 50’s and 60’s cars and their amazing chrome and craftsmanship. You sir are the national treasure for bringing these amazing cars to us!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree!

[@birdscats6834]

At first I thought Charles had time traveled! Steve certainly has your flare! And the car, wowza!

[@spiff8862]

Steve could be Charles's Dobbleganger....🚘

[@joseluisrodriguez-kr4ht]

Charles, I love your histrionic attitude and those wonders on wheels that you present us. Greetings from Spain! I know, he he

[@nancyhuenergardt8442]

I love the sounds these old cars make!!

[@michaeltaylor1603]

INDEED a head turner! I love to see dusk & night drives. Really shows off futuristic elegance of this motoring masterpiece! I remember seeing Lakeside Car Wash in the film Saving Mr. Banks. Thanks again Charles & Steve for sharing such a fine automobile and taking us back in time. Michael T.

[@dalemettee1147]

Charles, the very first Hawk I saw not only had engine turned dash but all the gauges were Stewart/Warner. I've NEVER forgot that happening, 35 years ago!

[@bobdillaber1195]

I don't know if it has been mentioned here but Studebaker started in the later 1800s making horse drawn buggy wagons. I was there in high school in South Bend, Indiana when these cars were being built. I always loved the Hawk! I remember moving from Minneapolis to South Bend and was surprised to see all the city owned vehicles, police cars and fire trucks, were Studebakers.

[@dougiekavanagh7508]

A pure work of automotive art.

[@kayeninetwo3585]

Another fantastic car on JOYRIDE. I've always loved these Hawks. They were among the top classics from the 1950's and early '60's. Along with the 2-seater Thunderbird, the '57 Chrysler 300 and the tri-five Chevy, the Hawk was a symbol of American automotive styling excellence! I've never driven a Studebaker before, either, but someday...I hope to drive, or maybe even OWN one!

[@RBAILEY57]

The C/K body Studebaker is 70 years old in 2023, and still looks great! Styling cues such as its trapezoidal rear quarter windows are still seen in modern cars.

[@drakbar5957]

That Studie is a beauty. The Hawk was almost discontinued, but in 62 the Gran Turismo Hawk breathed new life into sales. I’ve watched too many Joyride videos as Charles, Studebaker Steve and the Big Boy all look the same. 👀

[@fitnesswithsteve]

How do you not have more subscribers? You’re hilarious and the cars are great too!

[@patl6978]

I know

[@JDMJOE]

What a beautiful car👍🏻

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Charles, like me, you have an "old soul". I love old things and nostalgia. I think I was born in the wrong decade.

[@c.g.joseph2388]

Very enjoyable episode, Charles - many of those period California cars are well-preserved and very well cared for. I am also a fan of the Lark models of this year. Your enthusiasm is refreshing. Continue to share and enjoy, as only you can!

[@robb4732]

Magnificent! A work of art!

[@MarcBrewer]

Wonderful. Loved that you had Steve tell his story. Personally, I would like seeing in the trunk, and under the hood. The styling doesnt stop on these mid century masterpieces, and I love seeing all the details

[@asa1973100]

PHENOMENAL

[@nickbruni8041]

Fine form on this one ..AS USUAL !!!👌🏼 BEheld the GLORY !

[@gregmckinney7178]

Studebaker made some really awesome cars. Could you Imagine what they would look like today !!!!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Exquisite car! The owner just loves it. You can tell that he fell in love with it and stays in love with this gorgeous car.

[@davidhughes5789]

I really appreciated your Joyride in the Studebaker Hawk as I own a 1957 Golden Hawk, also in black. This has the same bodystyle as the 61 but with the addition of a supercharger which gives it 275 bhp. This is a very rare car in England and not overly common in America I imagine. 61 was the final year for the tailfins, 62 to 64 Hawk GTs had the more smoothed out and squared up lines.

[@rickloera9468]

Love your videos. I'm living a Mid Century dream watching this. I have both books and I recognize all of the locations. I've been to that Bob's Big Boy probably a 100 times with my kids on Friday nights for the cruise in. Wonderful people and great cars. This is not a Bob's Big Boy that you can just walk in to. It is always packed, especially on Friday. nights. Keep those videos coming please.

[@wildcat64100]

Fantastic! Thanks Charles!

[@kevincostello3856]

As always youre taste in cars is amazing, youre commentary uncontested and singularly unique,truly Thank You snd please keep'em coming.

[@blumobean]

I am old enough to remember when these were new. Studebaker built some beautiful cars.

[@Ma_Pooh]

I LOVE your enthusiasm!!!!!!!

[@craigadams4143]

Such fun!!! I wanna live in a JOYRIDE video by Charles...🙌

[@solemandd67]

🏆 A Heavenly Handsome Hawk 🦅. Steve and his car perfectly compliment each other.

[@michaelshaules3197]

GREAT video Charles, I absolutely love that there was more depth to the video with the inclusion of the iconic businesses and signs, great job as usual. FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!

[@jimmywhite3922]

Charles!...Good this be the BEST of your mid-century national treasures?!?! My Mother always talked about how she and her friends would "go for a ride" in Grandaddy's Studebaker. I'm sure it wasn't a Hawk but that car is just beautiful!...unbelievable!...one of my favorite JoyRides...👍

[@jimmywhite3922]

My bad..."Could" it be the best Joyride...It was "good" so I think it "could".😄

[@spencersmith2798]

Now, you’re talking’…a personal dream car of mine. My parents nearly bought a ‘61 Hawk, but decided on the Lark VIII instead.

[@carolynstrecha2371]

Oh my Love!! So Luscious! ❤️ Almost bought one on Kansas City.....so close 😞

[@terrym5023]

Miss Thing your reviews are so over the top 🤗

[@BillyAlabama]

Behold this beautiful machine!

[@josephconsoli4128]

I used to be on the fence with these, preferring the conventional look of the big-three cars, but you made me fan Charles!....I know :)

[@Porsche996driver]

So awesome Charles! Love how you scout the amazing mid-century landmarks to match! There were a couple Hawks (!) and an Avanti (!!) in Long Beach / Signal Hill when I was growing up. Always curious about them - this black one is stunning and that V8 rumble! 🏁

[@montymatilda]

A wonderful find Charles, and a super job presenting it. So many things, the car, Steve, the motel and the Big Boy along with the dust filming. Does it get any better than this? Thank you Charles for what you do.

[@peterammermann1845]

Two comments: (1) The basic style was originally developed by Raymond Loewy, the famed industrial designer who was also famous for having come up with the iconic Coke bottle design! (2) One of the original Studebaker brothers, John Mohler Studebaker, had his winter home (which is still standing) out here (southern California) in Monrovia; the company was originally started in 1852 as a blacksmith shop (in South Bend, Indiana) by John's two older brothers, Henry and Clement, who soon started making horse-drawn wagons, as well; John Mohler Studebaker wanted to make his own fortune, so he came out here to Placerville during the gold rush, but (using the skills of his family's profession) quickly turned to the safer and more ultimately more lucrative business of making wheelbarrows for the miners rather than mining for gold himself and soon had made a small fortune of his own by doing so; he eventually returned to South Bend, invested in his older brothers' business and helped it scale up further (helping it to become the largest wagon manufacturing company in the world), and ultimately oversaw the company's transition from the horse-and-buggy days, to manufacturing electric cars (from 1902-1912), and then finally to gasoline-powered cars (the only major wagon manufacturing company to successfully make this transition!), which it manufactured until 1966.

[@kevincruz4045]

Excellent Video! Hawks are show stoppers!!!

[@thisbandreallystix]

There was a red one, along with a 1965 Imperial Crown Sedan, and a 1966 Ford Thunderbird (in powder blue and gold, respectively), for sale at a farm about five miles down the road from me in 2018. (Of these three, the Imperial was the most reasonably priced.)

[@kickinghorse2405]

I love this car!

[@knitterscheidt]

truly a car for those of discerning taste and refinement!

[@jimmyjimenez7311]

U have all the fun !!! ❤❤❤❤

[@alanblanes2876]

I'm GLAD you got around to covering a Studebaker! Others you might like: 1937 President sunroof model. Or 1950 Land Cruiser or 1966 Cruiser.

[@angeloavanti2538]

my uncle owned many Studious Studebakers. had fun in those cars.

[@TheMidnightBandit]

Your channel is so frigging cool. I love your attitude, and you make me laugh quite a bit! You're one of my new favorite car channels. Keep going strong!!

[@TheMidnightBandit]

Seriously, you deserve a million subs easily!

[@Pisti846]

Good grief, I am old enough to remember when Studebakers were common. We had neighbors when I was a kid who were a Studebaker family.

[@asteverino8569]

Sweeeeeeet. I know! Have Loved this car most of my life. So unique. Would take it over a Thunderbird. Thanks Charles.

[@paulclarke7571]

Just a rolling piece of artwork!

[@TheDejael]

Design by Brooks Stevens, based on the original 1953 Studebaker body design done by Virgil M. Exner Sr. in 1950, for the Raymond Loewy Studio. Beautiful car!

[@nomebear]

In the 50s and 60s my father drove only Studebakers, loved them, babied them, was a purist, and the last one he bought new was a '65 Cruiser. Surprisingly strong, they were reliable. I thought the 1955 President Coupe was the best of the best. Loaded with a/c, power windows, auto transmission, power steering. A beautiful, durable car.

[@JeffDeWitt]

The only thing that would have made that Hawk cooler would have been if it had the optional 4 speed transmission. I like telling people the car of my dreams has a 289 V8, 4 speed,, 4 barrel, dual exhausts, bucket seats, and then after a long pause add "fins". (Most people would be thinking Mustang before that). It's tough to outcool a finned Hawk.

[@falsehero2001]

Classic and classy. I think I’m in love.

[@kfl611]

In the early 60's our elderly neighbor purchased a Studebaker car. I'm not sure of the model, but we thought at the time, as children, it was really funny looking. She was in her 70's or so and who knows maybe she was around when Studebaker was founded ! I don't think she was quite that old. This car looks very fashionable to me, I'd love to own one. To me a car has real style, no matter when it was produced, if when it is standing still, it looks like it is racing down the highway - as this car does.

[@alanstrong3295]

Would have been delighted to get one of those Hawks brand new.

[@jamesh7571]

Very Special Edition, thank you 😊

[@535tony]

The Hawks were beautiful.

[@chucklowe4166]

Gorgeous is an understatement.

[@donaldmilhoan6379]

Such a interesting design, I love 💕 this car.

[@tranquilitybase7860]

Beautiful car, but the 57 is still my favorite. ❤

[@slicksnewonenow]

Charles... Are you positive that Steve isn't your kid? He sure looks a lot like you in your younger days 👀 I knowwwwww. Beautiful Hawk, by the by😊

[@bobleroy1924]

Cool

[@tyronejones7341]

I watched this video five times !!, keep them coming Charles !!.I hate that as I was growing up in the 50s and 60s I didn't appreciate all of these beautiful cars that were produced!. I thought the trend would continue and the Nader , the environmentists , Arab oil embargo , and Japanese imports almost destroyed the Americsn car industry and car designs are not like they used to be.

[@floydt2029]

Excellent video Charles!

[@stockvaluedotcom]

My uncle had a Hawk and was always tinkering with the engine. Why he needed more HP is beyond me but he loved it.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

That is one nice Stude....... 👍👍👍

[@wessmith7408]

Damn, you never showed the engine! That would have been a real treat. I believe this is a first for you, in not showing the engine. I just discovered your channel a few days ago and love the great job you do. Thanks for the great videos - Please don't forget to show the engine.

[@chucklowe4166]

In all the cars I've owned (76) I've never owned a Studebaker. .unfortunately. Always loved them.

[@STEVE33437]

Gorgeous!!!!

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

Didn’t see you boys at our Studebaker show at Bobs Big Boy in Northridge

[@rpeterson223]

Fantastic !

[@shawnbarry3893]

I've got a 1962 Studebaker lark in Riviera 💙 blue

[@joro8604]

The owner is a Charles Phoenix Mini-Me! Behold the GLORY of the pompedore, I know!

[@brendakrieger7000]

Excellent!

[@L4sleeko]

So cool, I’m surprised these weren’t more popular back in the day.

[@johnfleming7879]

Raymond Loewy designed it- it is truly aerodynamic

[@deanberg4033]

Just Fabulous

[@nageeb96]

ELEGANT . i know.

[@markmaiello9180]

This time we got it all: a gorgeous car & 3 iconic Burbank locations. The twilight shots were the best. The Hawk looks great sliding up to the Inn headlights ablaze. It was worth waiting for to record. And hey, that dash was super “keen.” I think Pontiac copied that turned finish...A nice instrument cluster too. Did your notice the front end angles? Lots of complexity to it. Just a great car & video. I know that you know.

[@montymatilda]

Chevrolet copied the machine turned look as well on their '62 to '64 Super Sport Impalas'. Just wonderful.

[@jwelchon2416]

I love the Hawk's. It's a shame they weren't more popular.

[@youtbe999]

WOW !!!! TRULLY AND THOROUGHLY EXCESSIVE.

[@Primus54]

The basic Hawk design changed little from its beginning other than adding the tail fins which are actually clad over the sheet metal of the original sloping rear fenders. The car still looks beautiful in 2023.

[@erislandyayarde3938]

Cuando vas a hacer un vídeo del Ford 1955

[@Traderjoe]

I like this way better than the T Bird. It’s much more elegant and classy