61 Hawk Fins

[345 DeSoto]

Will a set of 56 Hawk fins bolt right onto a 61 Hawk...once the 61 fins are removed?

[62champ]

Fender on the inside is the same - should fit fine but others would be able to comment on what would be required to do so.

[3x2stude]

There will be holes to weld up on the rear fender and possibly the filler panel to the trunk. You may find some nasty rust under the old fin that the new one will not cover. Really nice reproduction rar fenders are available from Goodmark. Dwayne Jacobson, Mid-west Studebaker is a 56 specialist, he would know for sure on the inner. PM me and I'll get you hooked up with him.

JK

[studegary]

Will a set of 56 Hawk fins bolt right onto a 61 Hawk...once the 61 fins are removed?

The only 1956 Hawk with fins is the Golden Hawk. They used a small (relatively) fiberglass fin where the 1961 Hawk used a larger steel fin. They can be made to fit, but it will require some bodywork/filling. Also, the 1961 taillights will not work with the 1956 fins. Only 1956 Golden Hawk taillights will properly work with those fins.

[jbwhttail]

You will also need to locate the chrome trim that goes on the forward end of the 56J fin. If you dont have a set they are very difficult to find in good shape. My other concern as others have stated is the screw holes on the outside of the quarter panels..... can they be covered by the 56 fins or are they too low and need welded closed. If you have to weld closed chances are the quarters will warp, better then to just start with re-popped rear quarters or NOS.

If you don't mind me asking what are you trying to achieve? 61 hawks were all coupes, not hardtops, it will be obvious that the fins are not correct.

[3x2stude]

Studebaker International has repop 56 tail light housings and lenses for the Golden and non Golden.

JK

[studegary]

Studebaker International has repop 56 tail light housings and lenses for the Golden and non Golden.

JK

It might be important to him to know that they are $490 plus shipping.

EDIT: The $490 per pair is for the Golden Hawk which is what applies to the fins that we are discussing.

[jimmijim8]

If ya need to fill holes, just slap some fiberglass bondo on the cleaned around holes on the backside backed up by duct tape on the front side. Then peel the tape and prepare the front side holes for bondo. It will do ya. jimmijim

[345 DeSoto]

I REALLY don't like the 57-61 fins...at ALL...

[3x2stude]

345 D,

Your other choice is to clip the birds wings all together, no fins, and go with the 56 tail light. The 56 fins are cool though. I agree that the 57 fin and tail light is something that has to grow on you.

JK

[3x2stude]

jimmijim,

Is your advice meant to be humorous? Duct tape, bondo, really? This is not the Red Green show.

JK

[candbstudebakers]

The fiber glass 56 golden hawk will screw on in place of the original large metal fins used from 57-61 along with fins them self you will need the short 10' piece of stainless from the door edge to the large filler piece at the front end of the fin and then the long lower piece of stainless to cover the lower lip, also as said before the tail light will need to be changed, I like the small fiber glass fins as seen in the picture of my 62 GT semi custom.





note that the short 10' piece of stainless is not on my hawk yet but need to be there to complete the set up.

[Tom Bredehoft]

Those fins certainly add to that '62, nice job.

[jimmijim8]

Some of the advice offered on this forum is not up to Red Green's standards. I'm serious. Are you a body man?

[jimmijim8]

The method works and the duct tape can be substituded by using masking tape. It is especially useful to people that can not weld the holes closed. A person would use water proof type fiberglass filler on the back side for obvious reasons covered by undercoating. JB weld or the epoxy of your choice will work also. Rough up the area around the holes back side with a die grinder perhaps and also do the circumpherence of the hole for adhesion purposes. Finish the top side with a skim coat of feather fill. This method will work in lots of instances whether it be drilled holes or small rust holes in body parts. jimmijim [QUOTE=3x2stude;764849

Is your advice meant to be humorous? Duct tape, bondo, really? This is not the Red Green show.

JK[/QUOTE]