Packard Hawk project - phase 2

[jgrohs]

Phase 1 - tear down - was done by the previous owner. Got started on the next phase by getting the body mounted on the rotisserie. I'm trying to convince myself to finish up some small projects on the others, but the Packard Hawk is drawing me in...

[Pat Dilling]

Every journey begins with a single step. Way to go!

[Lou Van Anne]

Good Luck Jeff!...hope you have it ready for the picnic.............I'm counting on you.

[PackardV8]

Among those I wish I'd picked up when they were cheap is the Packard Hawk. It's grown on me over the years. Today, I know how to build one which would run really fast - it's a tossup as to whether the '56 Golden Hawk or the '58 Packard Hawk is the ultimate S-P gentleman's hotrod.

jack vines

[packardHawk58]

Looks like a good shell to work with Jeff!

[bezhawk]

I would love to see a Packard Hawk run at Bonneville, I bet the aerodynamics are better than the average 56-64 Hawk!

[studegary]

Among those I wish I'd picked up when they were cheap is the Packard Hawk. It's grown on me over the years. Today, I know how to build one which would run really fast - it's a tossup as to whether the '56 Golden Hawk or the '58 Packard Hawk is the ultimate S-P gentleman's hotrod.

jack vines

This reminds me of 1961 when I turned down a $375 Packard Hawk. I could have bought it from a wholesaler that had just picked it up from the local Chevrlet/Oldsmobile dealer where the original owner traded it in. It was a complete, running, average used car (three years old), but I liked the 1957 President Classic that I had at the time and couldn't handle both.

[bezhawk]

Wouldn't a 1958 car be THIRTEEN in 1971???

[studegary]

Wouldn't a 1958 car be THIRTEEN in 1971???

Yes it would! I just got lost by a decade. It was in 1961 that I was offered that Packard Hawk. Thanks for carefully reading what I wrote. I will make the correction.

[nels]

Among those I wish I'd picked up when they were cheap is the Packard Hawk. It's grown on me over the years. Today, I know how to build one which would run really fast - it's a tossup as to whether the '56 Golden Hawk or the '58 Packard Hawk is the ultimate S-P gentleman's hotrod.

jack vines

Well put, Jack!

[raprice]

I guess you have to start somewhere. Actually, the body looks very good from here. It's going to be a beautiful car. Good luck.
Rog

[55s]

I believe the Packard Hawks were the most aerodynamic of the hawks - I know the front bumper splits the air so well that it is hard to keep the car cool in hot weather, even with heavy duty radiators, water pumps and special fan blade.

As far as hot rods go, I have a 55 Speedster, 56 GH, 57 GH and a 58 PH. I like the lines of the Speedster the best. The 56 GH has the most brute power, the 58 PH has the most refined ride. I like the smell of the leather interiors of the 55 and 58.

I remember my dad's 63 R2 Avanti was uncomfortable with its short-backed seats (I am tall), hot with no air and limited insulation, and noisy - although it really moved and was the fastest.

[studegary]

I believe the Packard Hawks were the most aerodynamic of the hawks - I know the front bumper splits the air so well that it is hard to keep the car cool in hot weather, even with heavy duty radiators, water pumps and special fan blade.

As far as hot rods go, I have a 55 Speedster, 56 GH, 57 GH and a 58 PH. I like the lines of the Speedster the best. The 56 GH has the most brute power, the 58 PH has the most refined ride. I like the smell of the leather interiors of the 55 and 58.

I remember my dad's 63 R2 Avanti was uncomfortable with its short-backed seats (I am tall), hot with no air and limited insulation, and noisy - although it really moved and was the fastest.

Your first comment brings back memories of towing a box trailer with a Packard Hawk from Cold Spring, NY to South Bend, IN in the Summer. Part way out, we pulled to the side of the Interstate. We took the front bumper off and put it in the trailer. This solved the overheating problem. The car was in excellent shape with a rebuilt engine and radiator. It was just as you stated, air wasn't getting into the front.

I agree that the seats in my 1963 Avanti, and other 1963 Avantis that I have driven and ridden in, are terrible for my back. One hour was about my comfort limit. Avantis are hot, but I think no worse than my 1953 Commander Starliner.

[RareBird]

I waited 35 years to get mine, and another 6 to finish it. It's really cool to own something different and it always draws people to it. Enjoy your ride

[Dan Timberlake]

When I just graduated high school (1968) my girlfriend's dad was quite a talker. He really liked me and we talked about cars and motorcycles and other technical stuff at great length. He always had big plans for various projects. Their basement and small garage were packed with Broken toys and parts and pieces bought cheap or found for free. He talked about as a younger man in Illinois having a Studebaker or maybe a Packard he called 'the Rod." Bored and stroked, guard beams in the doors, various aircraft parts adapted. Nearly Every conversation was likely to have a few more details. At the time I felt Most of his tech descriptions were accurate, and he made some cool stuff out of findings. Tended to start projects, then move on. At the time I wondered how much was real, planned or just a concoction.

Nowadays I wonder if he was talking about a Golden or Packard Hawk.
Rip Donald Young.