53 Commander Convertable

[BrianC]

Just recently saw Denis Guage feature a custom 53 Commander convertible, The guy used Hawk rear quarters and fenders with the 53 Commander hood & grill. WOW ! I'm a purist when it comes to my 63GT Hawk, but i've always thought it would make a sweet rag-top or even just as good ,a removable top, much like early Mercedes,( although it'll be heavy). Apparently he used a rag-top assy. from a early Dodge Dart.
I'd love to know any details involved in such a change, especially any changes to the rigidity.

[sweetolbob]

Brian

If you use the search function in the upper right hand corner, I think you'll find a fair amount of discussion on the 'vert.

Bob

[paintim613]

Sounds like Steve Hudson's beauty in living The Dalles, OR. Correct? If so, Dennis (who claims to be a Stude guy) said Steve's car was the most beautiful Stude he had ever seen. The only other one I have seen to hold a candle to this car is Pat Dilling's STU COOL. But then I think red 53's are the ultimate.

[benaslopoke]

In the mid 50's I went to an Indy car race at Darlington, S.C. (that's right) and a 53 Commander convertible showed up in the pits.. I remember it had a fold down hard top with extended quarter panels and a Continental spare tire mounted on the back.. That was one LLLooonnngg car!!

[Pat Dilling]

That would be this one I believe, here is Steve Hudson's '53 at Good-Guys in Pleasanton in Aug 2009

[packardHawk58]

Hey Pat, did Steve rake back the windscreen pillars slightly and has he done a small chop top on the frame as well. Did he also use a Dodge Dart convertible top frame? Are those Packard wire wheels he is running?
Beautiful car I would like to build one myself, maybe out of a local silver hawk shell (cheap to buy).
Regards Brian.

[S2DSteve]

Meeting and visiting with Dennis was a real thrill, and he's every bit as much a character off camera as on. A '56 Hawk provided the frame and main body shell, with the front & rear sheemetal from a '53 Coupe. I cut the windshield and raked back per the "Gentleman's Chop"-same as Pat's. '64 Dodge Dart was used for all convertible components, quarter windows and windshield header. Wheels are copies of the T-Bird Kelsey Hays wires, available through Wheel Vintiques and Coker.

[studegary]

[QUOTE=packardHawk58;522031Beautiful car I would like to build one myself, maybe out of a local silver hawk shell (cheap to buy).
Regards Brian.[/QUOTE]

Unless you have one of the rare (424 built) Silver Hawk hardtops (K body) that were built for export, I can't see making a convertible from a regular Silver Hawk coupe (C body). You should really start with a 1953-1964 K body hardtop to build a convertible.

[packardHawk58]

Yeah you are right Studegary, we have a few cheap Gt shells that could be used, I want to change the panel that is in between the trunklid and back seat to an early Hawk panel not like a late Gt which is flat. It would be easier to do that than make a pillared car into a Hardtop shell.