57 Silver Hawk FIn installation help

[starlightchamp]

We have both fins to mount since the originals were badly rusted, I don't own a welder or know how to use one. Anyone done this and figured out how to hide screws and get a neat
surface transition between trunk and fin edges ? I'd like to avoid a fiberglas strip covering.
It appears the original used a metal strip with some sought of built in fasteners that threaded through the fin flange into holes drilled in the body. One source appears to price out over $200 for this thin strip. Being a CASO, Id like to avoid that cost if any other method.
Thank you for the help.

Dick Curtis

[Anne F. Goodman]

Sometimes we have to bite the bullet and buy the stuff. Hopefully someone will come up with a better answer for you. These projects just love our wallets. Just my two cents.

Mabel 1949 Champion
Hawk 1957 Silverhawk
Gus 1958 Transtar
The Prez 1955 President State
Blu 1957 Golden Hawk
Daisy 1954 Commander Regal Coupe
Fresno,Ca

[blackhawk61]

Here You go......

http://www.raylinrestoration.com/

1961 Hawk 4BC,4-SPEED,TT

Ken Byrd
Lewisville,NC

[sweetolbob]

Anne

You are wise beyond your years.

Well said.

Bob

,

[unclemiltie]

I have used ray's method using the body side moldings and it looked real nice. I have also bought the replacement strips and as they come in a straight piece I found them not easy to install. If I do another hawk that has bad trim on the fin to trunk area, i would use the body side moldings again

Milt

1947 Champion (owned since 1967)
1961 Hawk
1964 Convertable
1967 Avanti
1961 Lark 2 door
1950 Commander Starlight

[starlightchamp]

Thanks to all.
It isn't just the cost of the strip, Anne. We were not happy with a previous metal purchase from the strip manufacture and as "unclemiltie" says, the pieces are straight and you must bend them into a slightly compound curve. Guess the best idea is to use a few small steel rivets, grind the heads a little, and help hold down with JB Weld. Level it off with a metal
epoxy or surface putty like RAYLIN and fair it all in.

UNCLEMILTIE , what body side molding did you use. It would need to be almost 2 inches
wide to cover the gap.

...Dick

[valleyguy]

Here's where I plan to get the fin mouldings for
my Hawk; they will send you
samples of different widths and profiles.

Joe D.

http://www.flexchrome.com/