What is the difference between the front side grilles of 1956-58 Hawks and 1959-61 Hawks?

[studefan]

The chrome grille shells look the same so I am wondering what the difference is. There are two different part numbers in the chassis book. (1956 to 1958 is 1312030 and 1959 to 1961 is 1331274).

I know that the 57s Golden Hawks have the little stainless spears on the metal tray but don't know of any other differences from 1956 to 1961. Would these grilles bolt up and work fine across the years (56 to 61)?

Thank you

[StudeRich]

One difference from the '56/'57 is the added holes for the Matching Grille Mesh on a '58 to '61, but mostly about the up Dimple and Holes for the '59 to '61 Parking Lights.

Then the Last version, the 1962 GT, has the outer ends depressed for the rectangular Parking Light.

A 1961 Hawk 4 Speed, "advertised" as a "GT" Hawk.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Last question first: The side grilles would bolt up across all the years from 1956 to 1961. Notice the parking lamps on '56 - 58; they are on top of the fenders, whereas on '59 - 61 they mount on the "pan" part of the side grilles. The parking lamps mount on a boss on the pan, so that is the difference between the pans from '56-58 and '59-61. There may be some minor change made by Studebaker along the way during those years.

There also the side grille mesh inserts added in '58-61.

-- Dwight

[studefan]

Thank you Rich and Dwight for the explanation.