Engine: canadian 57 studebaker silver hawk with 259 v8 exhaust and carb tips.

[zereda]

My name is Thamas Bell, I live in British Columbia, Canada and I own a 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk numbers matching. I hear they are quite rare, mine is in pretty decent condition although the interior and paint are not original. the interior was done by a very good professional in the early 90's and pretty much has sat ever since and is still looks like its in supreme condition but mice may have gotten to some of the foam in the seats as i have found nests from time to time over the last 16 years. Paint was done by someone who color matched nice but prep was terrable so the paint is cracking very oddly. a repaint is a must. a small amount of damage on the hood from someone incorrectly closing it neess to be bent straight cuz finding a correct hood would be pretty hard. Currently isnt running but the motor turns over with a fresh battery. 93k original miles on the car, so im thinking its minor electical via possible mice problems. Whole car needs to be gone through.
Ok here is where i need all of you folks opinions. id like to modernize the suspention, breaks, ignition system,and stereo. stereo id like to be modern sounding but look original, Dont know what is a good option for retro radios and dont know how many or where all the speakers are located. I would like to covert to all around disc breaks if possible, either brimbo or willwood unsure what fits yet (fabrication required). I would like to keep original rims so the breaks cant be too large maybe 10 inch or 12 inch discs max? they will be hiden from veiw by rim as it is solid so its just for performance. also i dont know if it has power breaks or not but i think it does. adding a modern breaks shouldnt be too hard as some came with it. i wouldnt mind adding A/C aa sone came with it but isnt a must. pretty sure it doesnt have it. Headers and dual exhaust i want, not for power but for sound. dont know what gaskets fit or if there is any bolt on headers.. will i need to get them custom made? 4 barrel carb cuz it has stock 2. any brands, bolt on's, and specific parts to look up that fit would be helpful. i want to get it running and drive it. i dont overly care about power maybe a bit more but this thing is just a cruizer. im going for a more or less stock look but with some nice modern touch's.

[altair]

Zereda I would love to see your car some day I live in Coquitlam give me a call 1 (604) 942-0490 David

[StudeRich]

Welcome to the SDC and to the SDC Forum.

I see you have some VERY Modern and Very expensive improvements in mind.

Some of us who have driven various models of Studes for many years will tell you that it really is a bad idea to start modifying major expensive components BEFORE YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE CAR.

When these self energizing Wagner Lockheed 11 Inch Front and 10 Inch Rear Drum Brakes are properly rebuilt you will be amazed how well they stop.
There is a lot of leverage on a long lever, through the floor, Brake Pedal, in addition to the excellent wheel units touted at the time as the Best in the Industry and proven by Car Mag Test Driver/Writers.

IF you MUST stop as fast as a New Corvette, you do not have to "Build" a Wilwood or other system from scratch, Turner Brake makes Kits to make a simple bolt-on switch to reasonably available GM and Ford Parts for Front or Both Disc Brake Conversions.

As far as the Suspension is concerned, there is nothing wrong with a properly rebuilt STOCK System either.

Tubular Headers are not available and would not improve Power or Sound, so Buy a good 2 1/4 Inch Dual system with good Mufflers and it will not get any better than that.

There are all kinds of Modern CD, upgrade Stereo Radio replacements available, and you will not have ANY trouble locating "the Speakers"!
If it EVEN was ordered with a AM monoral Radio, there is usually only ONE Speaker in the center of the Dash.

Another concern would be the kind of driving you will be doing, your plans would work for a Road Racing Car, but not needed for the Street.

Most of what you will need is here:

http://studebakervendors.com

You do not mention if this is a Manual 3 Speed Transmission Car, a 3 Speed Manual with Overdrive or a 3 Speed Automatic (Borg Warner Flight-O-Matic).

[Bud]

I agree with Rich, most of what you want to do will be very expensive and for the most part, not necessary. If you want disc brakes, contact Jim Turner at Turner brake. he makes a bolt on kit with modern parts for a fair price. If you want a 4 barrel carburetor, you will need a 4 barrel manifold and a 500 cfm Edelbrock AFB carburetor. The stock suspension is plenty good if all of the parts are in good shape. Contact Radio Roy who posts regularly here, he can convert your original radio to AM/FM stereo with an aux input. Forget about headers as they are not needed or necessary for a stock Studebaker V8. Don Simmons at Silvertone Exhaust up in Canada makes an exhaust system kit for your car with larger pipes and louder mufflers. On my 1962 GT Hawk with factory dual exhaust. I use 2 inch pipes with 31 inch glass pack mufflers and it is plenty loud enough for me. Pertronix Ignitions makes an electronic ignition module that fits in your stock distributor to replace the points and condenser. Also think about replacing the stock rims with new ones if you plan to use radial tires as there are reports of the original rims cracking when radial tires are used on them. Bud

[zereda]

my fam and i build high end cars as a side business have for many years so its not as expensive as one might think. ive driven in the car when i was young but it has sat for 15 years the car was driven 1 time when dad bought it. i soon after traded him the 69 impala that needed a lot of work for the stude that needed very little. most of the things ive mentions are just curiosities if it effects the value in a negative way well maybe that's not the route ill take. ive always thought it was hard to find studebaker parts so fabricating the car to have modern more easily accessable parts would be wise. if finding parts isnt an issue then i'll not worry about that anymore. Rich to awnser your question its a 3 speed manual (3 on the tree). i plan on driving it fairly often during summers, its a car, its ment to be driven. has 93000 mile so abput 150000 km.. its been driven quite a bit in its life just not in a long long time. tbh its been so long since i actually looked at the car because it is in storage that it may just need a carb rebuild and she might fire up.
thank you rich for explaining why stock suspention works well and should still be a nice ride, breaks being just plain ovetkill, and exhaust options are nill unless custom. thank you bud for carb options this is all very helpfull.
So does anyone know how many 57 stude silver hawks came with a 259 v8 not 289 v8? this info i cant find. i found how many were sold in 57 was about 258 or so but not actual production numbers.

[zereda]

would love to show you it Dave. wouldnt mind picking someones brain on this beauty if they know something. 6048696578 is mine if your ever down this way feel free to give me a call. if im around and not busy we can meet up.

edit i live in Hope bc thought it said in main post but it doesnt

[zereda]

created an album for you all to see

[studegary]

1957 Silver Hawks;
4163 coupe -6
120 hardtop - 6
10,787 coupe - 259/289 V8
248 hardtop - 259 V8

1957 Golden Hawk;
4356 hardtop - 289 S/C V8

[altair]

Just for interest there is a 56 President out front of an auto wreckers on the road to Cultus, however with a 57 front end.

[64V-K7]

Just for interest there is a 56 President out front of an auto wreckers on the road to Cultus, however with a 57 front end.[ATTACH=CONFIG]74378[/ATTACH]

You took a picture of the wrong car / the Pres is to the right