Need help identifying car

[Studebaker wannabe]

I just returned from Cuba where I befriended a guy named Amir who owns a Studebaker. As you may know, it’s impossible to get parts for cars over there and I’d like to do what I can to help him. My first challenge is identifying the car he has. He was told it’s a Power Hawk with the roof removed. However when I checked the model number online, it seemed like it’s a Silver Hawk. I don’t know much about Studebakers so I thought I’d ask here for some help. Take a look at the photos and let me know what you think. Thanks a lot!

[Mark L]

If you feel like you want to acquire parts for him and send them to him, before you do that, make sure you know what can and cannot be sent to Cuba from the United States so you don't violate any federal regulations.

[StudeRich]

It may have started out as a 1956 Power Hawk Coupe or Sky Hawk Hardtop, without good side and rear views it is hard to tell, but definitely some kind of earlier Hawk.

Highly modified with the Roof cut off.
It has a Studebaker V8, likely a Commander "259" or a President "289" c.i.d.

[r1lark]

By the body tag, it's a '57 Silver Hawk (C body).

[Mark L]

The cowl tag in picture 6 has the following information: 57H-C3 7220

57 = 1957
H = President series
C = pillared 2-door coupe
3 = trim level = Silver Hawk
7220 = 7, 220th pillared coupe body welded up

[Studebaker wannabe]

Thanks Mark L. I believe we are allowed to bring parts in our suitcase if they go to individual Cubans and not the government. I brought lots of medicines for people when I went.

Regarding the cowl tag, do my photos look like it’s a ‘57 Silver Hawk? I looked up pictures of a ‘57 Silver Hawk and it looks different to me.

[Mark L]

You believe, or you know?

Keep in mind that it's common to find US-made cars in Cuba that are not stock and heavily modified. Studebaker did not make any 1957 Hawk convertibles, and the fins were not popular in all markets where the cars were sold. For example, it was common for Hawks to be sold in Europe without the fins. These two changes alone will account for some of the differences between this car and what you found online.

[55s]

Nice car, and with a Studebaker engine! 1957.

When I was in Cuba, I met a nice fellow who had a 1955 Studebaker. He told me that many vintage cars has 4 cylinder Lada engines put in them because of the close ties to Russia. His 6 cylinder engine was tired, but there was no one who wanted to attempt a motor swap for a Studebaker. (They did it for the more common Fords and GMs.)

What struck me a few years ago was the lost opportunity for North America to supply vehicles. There were hundreds of brand new buses being driven.

[6hk71400]

Here is what the car may have looked like when it left South Bend.

Mark's post is accurate. Now in the future who now what may happen to the car. There was a show at one time that did show many pre 1959 cars and what was done to them to keep them running. At least it is a Studebaker V8. The manifold looks an older V8. Fuel pump placement would tell; engine ID would pinpoint the year engine

Bob Miles
Great Post

[8E45E]

The Production Order will show where it was originally shipped.

Craig

[Studebaker wannabe]

Bob Miles, I understand some left the factory with the tail fins deleted. Maybe that was done in his case. Now that I know more about his car and engine I’m figuring out a way to get him spark plug wires and air filter housing and filter. As you can see in the photos, he’s been driving around with no filter and had to create his own wires from old telephone lines. Crazy what they have to do in Cuba to keep their cars running.

[6hk71400]

You are correct Sir! Most export to Europe were without fins. They also used local fabrics for interiors. I think but don't know for sure they were CDK and shipped for assembly locally. Brazil comes to mind as well as Down Under and the European Continent. I am pretty sure some articles were written some time back in Turning Wheels

[Videoranger]

Very cool! Sure to be an interesting story about the history and work done on that Studie. Amir is a great candidate for SDC. Must have been fascinating to travel to Cuba.