Rusty Hawk Fenders

[Dan Ward]

Well, the 57 Hawk is coming apart. Everything is going pretty well. My first challenge is going to be the front fenders. You see--I've got this new Hobart MIG welder(pity I don't know what I'm doing)but I have been practicing. I do wish my first challenge was...a little bit "less challenging" however. I was envisioning a nice flat panel to weld in for my first job--not 37 compound angles coming from all directions, but seems it does'nt always happen like you want. Anyway, I do have a question or two. These fenders look like their made from 3 pieces to me. 1) the fender itself that you see outside the car 2)an inner fender that you see when the hood is open 3) and a third part that is "boxlike" that basically is under the headlight. All three parts appear to be spot welded together. It's this third section that is rusted out. Someone has put some kind of metal with holes in it, and then spread some kind of filler on top to make the repair. I would bet that when it comes out of the dip tank, there's not going to be much left of that area. Everything else look good. The other option is to find better fenders( if there are any left around). Does anyone know of any 57 Hawk fenders, that might be more easily restored (that are affordable)? If not.....have mig welder....will weld....ie---I will fix these fenders, one way or another! Thanks in advance, again---Dan Ward

[kmul221]

Every time I attend a Studebaker swap at South-bend,York or Reedsville I am amazed by the amount of Non-rusted-out used C-K fenders available that requier minor repair for small holes or surface rust repair or virtually no repairs; for sale at very reasonable prices. It is cheaper in the long run & far less frustrating to use a good used fender.If you can't attend these meets but know a attendee:have him look & send you info via phone or internet(photo's).I don't think you will regret it rather than try & fix a rusted out one.My opinion at any rate.

[Guest]

it all depends on time money and ability.welding them up and make them look good is one thing doing them right so you have no rust problems again is another. on thing i will suggest is POR-15. put it on everything under the car made of steel works great looks great last along long time. if your in a hurry find some better fender they are out there but make sure they get derusted and sealed before you put them on or they will rust back out. If you want let me know i live in Seymour indiana i am not sure how far camden is from here but bring em over and i will help if you decide to fix them.
good luck

Erin Hays
1961 Hawk
1962 Lark
1963 Wagonaire

[studelover]

I like you am building a hawk(mine is a 1961)My body man just finished repairing the last fender a week ago. They are not easy, as many have said here, I think they are giving there opinion and have not actually repaired one. I was at the york swap meet and did not see any denders, I have also been told they they are around and are rust free.There is a website that has the repair of the front fenders in seqential order. Someone here has the address, the guy on this site did a 1961 hawk and did a great job at it. On one of the pages he outlines the repair and other repairs done to this 61 hawk. My guy had never done a fender before after we got the patch panels we studied this website , my fenders came out very well however I would have loved to have bought a set. good luck with your project and keep your eyes open.

Studebakers forever!

[gordr]

Dan, are you referring to the area that lies behind the side grilles? If that is the only area that's rusted, consider yourself lucky. Neither surface of that "box" is readily visible when the car is assembled, so almost any kind of halfway-competent repair will suffice. It does have to have some strength, but it is really more of a structural part than finished body metal. It may be painted body color, but that's simply because it was easiest to paint the entire fender body color.

Now real "rusty" Hawk fenders are riddled with pinholes on the top behind the headlamp, and in a big strip down the back edge; both areas where the repair has to be not only structurally sound, but perfectly finished as well, if the car is to look decent.

I hope, for your sake, that when you get the fenders back from the stripper, that the ONLY rust you find is in that grille well area, and that the metal cleaner hasn't removed a mess of filler covering other holes.

I'm not trying to spoil your day, but just pointing out that what you describe are vastly better than most rusty Hawk fenders I've seen. If they do come back riddled with holes elsewhere, at least you will have the option of deciding whether to attempt a repair, or to seek out better examples to work on. It'd be a real heartbreaker to put hours of work into fixing that relatively inconspicuous area, then pay big $$$ for a paint job, only to have a line of rust bubbles appear down the back edge in a year or two.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[studelover]

Here is a side view of a fender under construction. The different parts you mentioned are welded at different angles to get the right fit. We installed and removed the fender many times before all the right adjustments made it fit well.

Studebakers forever!

[studelover]

as you disassemble your car you will fix each componet and move on to the next, the car is like a big puzzle and as you will see each part is easy to come off just take pic's and remember where little stuff goes.

Studebakers forever!

[JeffDeWitt]

quote:Originally posted by studelover

I like you am building a hawk(mine is a 1961)My body man just finished repairing the last fender a week ago. They are not easy, as many have said here, I think they are giving there opinion and have not actually repaired one. I was at the york swap meet and did not see any denders, I have also been told they they are around and are rust free.There is a website that has the repair of the front fenders in seqential order. Someone here has the address, the guy on this site did a 1961 hawk and did a great job at it. On one of the pages he outlines the repair and other repairs done to this 61 hawk...

Here you go, from Ray Fichthorn's tech pages.

http://ncsdc.com/TechnicalPages/Fender/index.htm

[Dan Ward]

I would like to thank everyone for their input. I will reply to this discussion in greater length after work today and tomorrow. Regards----Dan

[Guest]

hey dan, i dont think it will help,but maybe it will. if you havent seen my you tube slide show on my hawk. i did it all in my garage from start to finish. i had never done several things that i had to do on this car and it came out pretty good i think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyeTtNNn5_M

good luck and i had never seen any other jade green 61 hawk before except mine. i think everyone working on one on this forum its green.
whats up with that?
see ya
erin



Erin Hays
1961 Hawk
1962 Lark
1963 Wagonaire

[jbwhttail]

MAN!!!!!!

What a slide show, your license plate says it all.

OK I lied....I'll do it again for the "right" car, I love the chase.....

[dave smith]

Dan, if you decide to weld your fenders yourself don't use the wire that comes with the machine. a good welding supply can sell you auto body wire. it makes it easier to gring and finish than regular wire. its also better to use argon/co2 gas than flux core wire. good luck. Dave