1961 Studebaker Hawk with rumble seat option

[KVP]

This car is advertised on the Grand Rapids, Michigan Facebook cars for sale.  Can't get the ad posted here.  Maybe someone can do that for me.  History indicates that two of these were built by Cooley Bros. and sold by Frank Hilker, a Studebaker-Packard dealer in Chicago Heights, IL.  The background story can be found on the Studebaker Driver's Club forum under responses to "rumble seat Lark"  Also included there is the name of the person who purchased it in 1971 and had the Cooley Bros., who created the rumble seat for this car, do its restoration.  It went from this owner to someone in Michigan.  The Cooley Bros. did two Larks as well for Frank Hilker.

Edited July 7, 2022 by KVP
Additional information (see edit history)

[TAKerry]

Never seen a Hawk with that option but I think someone made some AMCs like that. They may have been Javelins?

[classiclines]

Not Mine - Here is more info and some pics - more in ad itself...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1389642164847130/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post

Seller's Description

1961 Studebaker Hawk, one of a kind. Has built in rumble seat. 2 were made, this is the only one left. Excellent shape. 63,000 original miles. Interior great condition. Very clean car. Engine 289 CU / 259 HP 4 barrel Auto trans. All chrome and badges are excellent with zero rust on body $40,000 Serious calls only. No text. six-one-six, nine-eight-four,six-one-zero-eight. Ask for Pete Reason for selling, can't drive anymore.

Sand Lake, MI

1961 Studebaker hawk

$40,000

[Mark Huston]

Interesting car.  However, for 40K this car should come with more official documentation than what is offered.   I am having trouble believing that the Studebaker factory, which was struggling by 1961, would try to put a rumble seat in a five passenger coupe body.  It doesn't make sense to put a rumble seat in a car that already has a back seat.  Rumble seats were needed when two passenger cars were more common and needed extra seating.  Not on a five passenger car in the 1960s.  

[1957Birdman]

There was a company that offered an item called the Bird Nest for the 1957 T-Bird. It was never offered by the Ford factory. This was not particularly popular and also not so safe in any situation other than driving in a parade.

Lew Bachman

1957 Thunderbird

[KVP]

Thanks for posting the Facebook listing, classiclines. 🙂

[Leif in Calif]

How would you get in there? I also doubt this was "factory". 

[Gearheadengineer]

But it MUST be factory! I read it on the sacred scroll!

 

Interesting car and it looks to be in good shape. But nowhere near $40k of interesting. 

[John_S_in_Penna]

3 hours ago, Gearheadengineer said:

But it MUST be factory! I read it on the sacred scroll!

From the description in the original posting, the seat

in this prototype sounds well documented by Studebaker

aficionados.  Maybe articles were written about it, and

they would be interesting to read.

 

I agree that it would be difficult to enter and exit the seat!

If it's truly authentic, this is a very interesting find.

 

[alsancle]

Very cool but you need to prove it.

[rodneybeauchamp]

On 7/7/2022 at 9:35 AM, Leif in Calif said:

How would you get in there? I also doubt this was "factory". 

As a connoisseur of the rumble seat at the Australian Buick Nationals, that was the first thing I looked for. There is a step in the passenger rear quarter to help you climb in and out. 
 

My first experience getting out of a 1930/31 Buick rumble seat was such a hoot, Jo took a very embarrassing video for  prosperity. Anyhow, a picture of the Studebaker.

 

Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

 

[neil morse]

53 minutes ago, rodneybeauchamp said:

My first experience getting out of a 1930/31 Buick rumble seat was such a hoot, Jo took a very embarrassing video for  prosperity.

Okay, now we have to see the video! 😁

[TAKerry]

9 hours ago, rodneybeauchamp said:

As a connoisseur of the rumble seat at the Australian Buick Nationals, that was the first thing I looked for. There is a step in the passenger rear quarter to help you climb in and out. 
 

My first experience getting out of a 1930/31 Buick rumble seat was such a hoot, Jo took a very embarrassing video for  prosperity. Anyhow, a picture of the Studebaker.

 

Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

 

First step check, second not so much. That tall quarter panel looks like a ladder may be more appropriate.

[28 Chrysler]

Here is the AMC AMX

[Leif in Calif]

That horizontal rear widow could be hazardous in a collision! 

[StillOutThere]

Same price.

Still available:  

 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1389642164847130/?hoisted=false&ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post