What is a donor for a hawk

[Frank Jones]

Hello to all! I am contemplating purchasing a 1959 hawk. I have done quite a bit of splicing and donor chassis work on other brands etc.. Rather than go to the expense of upgrading the entire driveline and brakes etc,, is there arecommendation as to what the hawk body may bolt to? nI want a long distance cruiser capable of pulling small boats. My first thought is an S-10.

Please help me if you can. If it is not practical to do it this way do I go camaro clip? Bolt in Pacer?. I think you get the picture here. ANY HELP is greatly appreciated. I do apologize to the purists out there

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!! Frank L Jones

[Nelsen Motorsports]

We were thinking of the same thing when we first started my car, but first you have to find a frame that is near 120 1/2 in. long (s-10, F-150). What we had when we bought the car and what it still have is a Nova subframe welded on to the original foward of the A pillar.

Advantages: disc brakes, cheaper bolt-ons, and thicker metal.

Disadvantages: your car is ultimately hacked up, may be expensive, but must be done right.


Alex Nelsen
1954 Champion Coupe
Lizella, GA

[Dan White]

My R2 Hawk, stock, had a trailer hitch on it when I bought it and it was used to pull dual motorcyle trailers and small boats without any problems. Depending upon what you consider a "small boat" the Stude drivetrain may be more than adequate to do what you need. Disk brake kits (front and rear) are also readily available for almost all Studebaker autos from 51 forward. Some of these kits can use fairly large rotors and calipers.

Dan White
64 R1 GT
64 R2 GT