American Cars An American car always have way more inspiration for DIY’s modifications, best of all creating monster concept cars with excellent performance and power. Nonetheless, some creativity goes way beyond this, this 1953 Studebaker Hawk is one such project! This exotic custom project has been completed by Gulf Coast Exotic Auto in 2023, that boasts of over 3,000+ hours of dedication as well as an estimated cost of over $250,000. This piece of art simply features mind-blowing styling and modern mechanical and automotive systems.
What truly makes this Studebaker unique is the array of parts and engineering from a variety of other vehicles. Its roof comes from a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, its rear hatch from a Nissan 350Z, its suspension from a C4 Chevrolet Corvette, and its power from a real supercharged 304ci Studebaker V8. Its interior is complete with a set of orange leather bucket seats and even a dashboard from an Edsel. Its radically reworked body, all-new steering, brakes, and drivetrain reveal how the best in classic car parts and engineering can combine with visionary design.
1. The 1953 Studebaker Custom
1953 was an epic year of American history. Eisenhower was going to be the nation’s 34th president, the Korean War was an armistice, and the first Chevrolet Corvette came off the assembly line in Flint, Michigan with its Polo White exterior and red interior. It was also a time of TV dinners, Scrabble and Cheez Whiz, while a pound of bananas was 10 cents and a gallon of milk 94 cents. The auto industry was also rolling out memorable postwar designs to inspire generations of custom car builders, a task Gulf Coast Exotic Auto took to new heights with a radical 1953 Studebaker Hawk that debuted a year ago with more than 3,000 hours of craftsmanship and over a quarter million dollars in its building bill.
1953 Studebaker Build Highlights:
- Classic American automotive heritage
- Completed during 2023
- Over 3,000 hours of craftsmanship
- More than $250,000 invested
- Bold modern hot rod design
The completed machine blends old-school styling and contemporary engineering with creative fabrication. The vehicle was not just “restored” back to its original state, but rather evolved into a whole new street machine. Its unique look proves how models of old can actually provide the perfect form to an ambitious hot rod project. It is different in nature because it stays true to the Studebaker’s legacy, yet incorporates parts and styling cues derived from decades-older vehicles, forming an unlikely but striking combination.
2. A Shorter, More Aggressive Profile
1953 Studebakers have always been a playground for the hot-rod crowd, known for their collectible, unconventional shapes. Previous customization projects have seen these cars received as ’50s street rods with chop tops, shaved door handles and frenched lights, along with modern resto-mods that incorporate a traditional aesthetics with more modern driveability. But this Hawk takes sheet-metal modification to a new level; the car’s proportions have been significantly changed from the original design. The fabrication team took a full 10 inches out of the wheelbase to instantly have a more tight and aggressive stance. The rear quarter panels were also hand-formed to respond to the new dimensions of the car.
Key Wheelbase Modifications:
- Wheelbase shortened by 10 inches
- Original proportions dramatically transformed
- Rear quarter panels reshaped
- Custom sheet metal fabrication
- More aggressive overall stance
Adjusting the wheelbase of a car is one of the major parts of this build, as it influences the positioning of the wheels and affects the bodywork and appearance. Changes to the proportions are what make this custom Hawk stand out from a standard restoration or mildly-modified classic. Another benefit of that much metal work was that it provided the perfect opportunity to use parts from later vehicles. The builders may have altered the original shape of the body, but from the outside, the Studebaker has maintained its history while having much more modern and aggressive appearance.
3. Camaro Roof and Nissan Hatch
Perhaps the most startling aspect of the custom Studebaker is that its body features pieces from completely unrelated cars. The greenhouse features a roof from a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro that the builders altered to complement the era of the body. This modern roof section is combined with a lazy windshield which further lowers the centre of gravity for a smoother looking profile. The rear of the vehicle introduces an even more unexpected element in the shape of a functioning hatch from a Nissan 350Z. Merging a Japanese sports car hatchback with Chevrolet styling accents and a Studebaker body from 1953 would normally be a bit far-fetched, but this not-so-typical fabrication looks quite awesome from every angle.
Modern Bodywork Features:
- 2017 Chevrolet Camaro roof
- Nissan 350Z functional rear hatch
- Carefully modified roof section
- Laid-back windshield design
- Seamlessly integrated body components
This unlikely pairing might not work if the panel-beaters didn’t nail the install. The Camaro roof alters the mentality of the upper body, while the Nissan hatch acts as a usable rear access, not to mention a modern design cue. Instead of having disjointed parts, the panels around them have been reworked to join up across the exterior, which is a perfect example of how the parts of cars made years apart can combine it takes some serious planning, solid fabrication work and a consistent design message.
4. Custom Exterior and Radir Wheels
A whole new front end was created to complement the longer, more dramatically styled roof. The front fenders are designed to sit snugly around the front tyres and guide seamlessly into the custom created grille that includes the latest LED lighting. An integrated and enlarged front spoiler acts as a nose to the front of the car, with traditional hot rod ‘frenched’ headlamps adding a nostalgic nod to the classics. At the rear, the traditional hallmark of the ‘frenched’ look can be seen on the centre fitted 1955 Studebaker taillamps. Fitment of the five-spoke Radir wheels (shod with Performance Tyres) fill the widened wheel arches.
Distinctive Exterior Details:
- Dropped front fenders
- Custom grille with LED lighting
- Modified front spoiler
- Frenched 1955 Studebaker taillamps
- 15-inch five-spoke Radir wheels
The exterior is an evolution of old-world customisation and modern styling. Frenched lighting adds a down-to-earth vintage hot rod appearance, while the use of LEDs and the reshaped spoiler lend a more modern feel to the nose. The use of the original Studebaker taillamps reminds the user of this vehicle’s original class and style, while the Radir wheels further add to the overall image by matching the reshaped wheel arches and lowered appearance. Despite this vehicle being made up of several different bodies, the use of lighting and wheels and the reshaped body panels give the overall end result a single perception.
5. Supercharged Studebaker V8 Engine
When you lift the bonnet there’s another surprise courtesy of this special creation. Instead of a modern crate engine, the builders elected to retain the Studebaker character with a ready-to-run 304ci Studebaker V8. The motor is located tidily within the customised bay, providing another link to the vehicle’s original manufacturer. It was created specifically for use with a Paxton supercharger and uses hypereutectic pistons, hydraulic roller lifters and roller rocker arms. The fuel system has been modernised using FiTech port fuel injection and coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. Long-tube headers and Flowmaster mufflers complete the dual exhaust setup.
Studebaker V8 Engine Features:
- Built 304ci Studebaker V8
- Paxton supercharger compatibility
- Hypereutectic pistons and roller lifters
- FiTech port fuel injection
- Five-speed manual transmission
Throughout, using a genuine Studebaker engine separates this build from ‘boat anchor’ conversions with completely contemporary powertrains. The supercharger-dense design and tougher internals give the mill a performance profile but it remains true to the Studebaker name. The manual transmission encourages the driver-motor connection while the twin exhausts deliver the low, rumbling note that befits a serious hot rod; these combined features make the powertrain part of the car’s character rather than a modern mechanical heart transplanted inside a new torso.
6. Corvette Suspension and Modern Handling
The superbly redesigned exterior is matched under the car by a completely re-engineered chassis, which bolsters the intended streetability of the car without sacrificing its precise driving character. Gone are the old-school 1950s suspension components in comes C4 Chevrolet Corvette front suspension, with a narrowed C4 Corvette rear structure. All four corners are now supported by coilovers and the new design provides a very tight, modern driving experience. The new suspension parts replace the Studebaker’s stock approach with hardware from a much more recent sports car, underlining the big-sports-car proportions.
Modern Chassis Upgrades:
- C4 Corvette front suspension
- Narrowed C4 Corvette rear end
- Coilovers at all four corners
- Completely transformed chassis setup
- Improved road-holding capability
The Corvette bits are especially interesting as they combine two completely different automotive identities. The Studebaker provides the period correct body and aggressive styling of course, while the suspension hardware adds a contemporary sports car baseline to the mix underneath the customised sheetmetal. The narrowed rear end is also obviously part of the wider work to fit the modified body proportions. Together with the four-corner coilover suspension set-up, the chassis work aims to make the finished Hawk more agile and capable than its original ’53 self, turning what’s already a striking Custom into a far more fun-to-drive car.
7. Modern Steering and Disc Brakes
As handling would be meaningless without steering and braking, the builders also installed modern versions of these systems. The Studebaker we built has power rack-and-pinion steering which enables the driver to finely control the front wheels. The system works hand-in-glove with the Corvette-based suspension and helps make the low-slung hot rod more drivable. Four-wheel power disc brakes behind the 15-inch Radir wheels take care of the car’s momentum when the supercharged V8 is romped on, but offer more current service than the car’s original brakes.
Steering and Braking Features:
- Power rack-and-pinion steering
- Four-wheel power disc brakes
- Precise front-wheel control
- Modernised braking equipment
- Improved driver confidence
All of this performance-oriented attitude is also extended to the steering system, which has a more modern feel for a car that will still have classic appearance. These are complemented with the suspension updates for the builder’s desired criteria of a more nimble and responsive classic car. Upgraded brakes are equally important considering the package of the high-performance engine and numerous modifications to the chassis, with a modern four-wheel disc brake set-up and power assist designed to make the car easier to handle while the rest of the suspension parts allow for a performance-oriented driving experience that the factory built Studebaker could never match.
8. Leather Seat and Edsel Dashboard
The inside keeps the offbeat spirit alive with its personalised orange leather bucket seats and door panels. The exuberant hue shines through on this a colour that drives home the jethot spirit of the mid-century hot rod and really freshens up the cabin surroundings that have a striking look to match the super drama of the bodywork. An instrument panel featuring common theme elements also adds to this car’s eye-catching appeal; built from upcycled Edsel dash bits, it echoes of design motifs from a vintage American make, but in its new Studebaker environment.
Custom Interior Highlights:
- Orange leather bucket seats
- Matching custom door panels
- Repurposed Edsel dashboard
- Bespoke instrument panel integration
- Distinctive retro-futuristic cabin
The Edsel’s dashboard is especially striking because it counters the usual trend of such projects by using, rather than ‘adding’, simple aftermarket dials. Its role in defining the cabin’s identity is an extension of the theme of blending the best of two different car histories. The orange leather trim provides cohesion, preventing the interior from looking like a mismatch of unconnected elements, especially as the door cards flow into the cabin with similar colours. Every visible element demonstrates how its builders have had the same willingness to be creative with the interior as they have with the heavily edited exterior.
9. Modern Comfort and Interior Features
While the Studebaker interior is designed to impress with eye-catching style, all the modern conveniences are present for driving ease. Power windows ensure effortless operation, and its modern custom sound system provides music to enjoy with the rumbling supercharged V8. Its far more detail-oriented than a simple period-style interior, with its custom seats given matching door panels and in-dash Edsel instrumentation. Over 3,000 hours were poured into crafting the truck, and its interior is proof that the customizers’ devotion wasn’t limited to the outside.
Interior Comfort and Convenience:
- Power-operated windows
- Modern custom sound system
- Carefully finished interior details
- Bespoke seating and upholstery
- More than 3,000 hours invested
The attraction is the disparity between an unusual look, and a list of specs designed to make the car a pleasure to use. The interior isn’t an afterthought, the builder looked at what your car has used, and integrated room and entertainment systems. The marriage of modern comfort and classic design reinforces another feature of the car, that it’s not trying to replicate a 1953 driving experience. Rather, the car fuses vintage motoring character, sound mechanical parts, and select modern features for a unique custom car.
10. A Unique Blend of Automotive Eras
By total miles 4 on the odometer, this one-off Hawk demonstrates what can be achieved with engineering determination and no regard for convention, although the real mileage on the entire build remains unrecorded. This 2023 build combined panels and mechanical bits and pieces from multiple makes and years to create this formidable road car, which sports a Chevrolet Camaro roofline, Nissan 350Z hatch, Corvette suspension and a genuine Studebaker V8. Factory-style orange leather, an Edsel dash, contemporary drivetrain and stopping gear, plus a supercharged engine, has resulted in a truly singular vehicle. Over $250,000 and 3,000-plus hours of hands-on fun helped bring this vision to life.
What Makes This Studebaker Special:
- Completed as a unique custom
- Four miles displayed on odometer
- Actual chassis mileage remains unknown
- Multiple automotive eras combined
- Classic styling meets modern performance
More than just a display-only show car or a collage of wild, disconnected panels, this car-featuring a modified chassis, performance-tuned engine, and all-new controls for the driver-represents a concerted attempt to build a fully operating street machine with a uniquely defined personality. Combining some traditional hot-rod fabrication techniques with a mix of Corvette powertrain components, modern Chevrolet and Nissan hardware, plus a generous amount of Studebaker personality, the builders have created a radical new interpretation of a 1953 vehicle. This unique “new” car shows what a boundless imagination can conceive of if one is willing to cast aside the norms of design.
