restoring 57 golden hawk

[studelyman]

I started this car about 2 months ago and thought I could just clean it up but the further I went into it I figured
what the heck go for it so tell me what you think. The biggest problem I'm running into is the inner structure of the deck. Would like to find a
replacement ddeck lid if anyone knows of one. The frame seems solid. The underneath is OK but I have some
confussion about some aluminum that I have sent pictures to some people and they said it was a aftermarket box that screwed to the rocker and went to the body underneath. Anyone ever run into this? I will try to post pictures of it later I just removed the body
from the frame and have it on the rotesserie for now. Will blast frame in a couple days and move on the body.

[jbwhttail]

I think you are talking about the "torque boxes" and it appears they have been replaced at some time in that Hawks life. Finding a solid deck lid should not be difficult, just be sure you are buying from someone who insures it to be "rust free" and never repaired. The bottom edge is noted for rusting.

[studelyman]

Thanks for the answer. Do you know if the torque boxes are available? I looked on Studebaker Internationals Web Site but couldn't find.
Do you think they are hard to duplicate? They didn't seem to be that much but there is nothing left for me to go by.
I know what you meen by honest people I have restored vehicles before and ran accross some remarkable people. Mine is rusted around
the hinges which I would repair but the rear corners are gone also.

[candbstudebakers]

Are you sure it is a 57 Golden hawk? picture number 3 doesn't look like one.

[JoeHall]

Are you sure it is a 57 Golden hawk? picture number 3 doesn't look like one.

Looks like 56 doors,and 57 & earlier frame. Maybe a 56 Sky Hawk ? A fin-less 57 GH with 56 doors?

[warrlaw1]

Could also be a 55. My torque boxes, hog troughs, had to be replaced. Used the old ones for a template and a metal brake to make new ones from 18 gauge. The rotisserie made installation easier, but still had to go in from the top, too. Good luck.

[Pat Dilling]

Classic Enterprises has many repair panels for Studebakers. Not sure about the body stiffeners, aka hog troughs.

http://www.classicent.com/

I agree, those doors are 53-56.

[jimmijim8]

How could you tell the hog troughs have been replaced? jimmijim

I think you are talking about the "torque boxes" and it appears they have been replaced at some time in that Hawks life. Finding a solid deck lid should not be difficult, just be sure you are buying from someone who insures it to be "rust free" and never repaired. The bottom edge is noted for rusting.

[warrlaw1]

S.I. doesn't do hog troughs. I bought every other panel they had (lol). Jimmijim, he stated they were aluminum after market. Stude used steel.

[studelyman]

I have had many discussion about this car being 56 or 57 but when I ran the cowl and pillar numbers 57H K7 it came back as a 57 golden hawk
originally Tiara Gold that rolled of they assembly line in January 57. I then striped the top of rear quarters to look for holes for the fins that came with it and it looks like someone filled them in with maybe lead not body filler? Why anyone would do that I dont know. As for the doors and fenders they way they are contoured they appear to be 56 or earlier doors and fenders? I found no holes in fenders or doors for any trim includeing the turn signals. I have they grills and they appear correct for a 57. As far as the torque boxes being aluminum I maybe wrong they may be steel.