Curious regarding tail light housings on golden hawk

[keithwahl]

I notice the housings on a Golden Hawk are painted body color whereas the housings on a Packard Hawk are chrome.
Is it correct that 57 Golden Hawk and perhaps Silver Hawks as well had painted housings and not chrome?
Thanks.. Keith

[Mark Klinger]

I believe they should be painted to be correct. My 57 has chrome bezels and I think it's a big improvement. The original owner wanted a Packard Hawk but didn't like the nose so did what he could to upgrade the 57. It also has the "400" Packard Hawk interior.

[StudeRich]

You can also get the Chrome Housings from a '59 to '61 Hawk.

[bensherb]

And for the '62-'63 GT , just use the '64 GT housings.

[StudeRich]

Personal choice I am sure, but I would NEVER use those Full Chrome '64 GT T/L Housings on a '62 or '63.

Reason: because the very thin Chrome Rim around the Lens and matching Body Color rest of the Housing looks MUCH better, sharp looking, Special, and Continental looking to match the theme of the same for the fender top Mouldings and the rest of the Car.

They were just looking for something, ANYTHING to distinguish the '64 from the '63 VERY Cheaply, and they found it, leave the Paint off and save 23 cents for 2!

[keithwahl]

But what is factory correct - PAINT OR CHROME FOR THE GOLDEN HAWK??

[paul shuffleburg]

57 & 58 Golden Hawks would be painted. 59-61 are chromed.

[StudeRich]

I thought Post #2 made that pretty clear, Originals were all Body Color.