Body / Glass: C-K '53-'58 rear decklids

[Steven Ayres]

My '58 GH came with a roundback rear decklid, which the PO said was installed by the dealer in '59 or '60 after the car's only fenderbender. It includes the Packard fake spare cover, but has no other holes for scripts or reverse lights. The attachment hole for the fake spare cover was drilled, not stamped in. At some point it seems to have had a touring luggage rack installed, but the holes for it are long welded up.

I'd like to ID the decklid if I can. Are there any definitive differences in detail between the '53-'55 C-K decklids and the '58 for the Packard Hawk?

Was there a Studebaker-sanctioned luggage rack for the C-Ks? Any pics available? Was there some other decklid option that might account for these old holes?

Thanks!

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
58H-K7 66

[studegary]

The 1953 deck lids have rectangular openings in the inner lid panel. The later ones have circular openings.
There was a Studebaker fake spare tire option (I remember them for sedans, but could have been put on a C/K) as well as the standard one on Packard Hawks. In any case, I believe that the holes would have been drilled, not stamped.

[Jeff_H]

Actually, there are differences in '53-'55 deck lids that I am aware of:

Early '53 lids have the trim holes drilled for the tri-star emblems. Also, the reinforcement rib stamping on the inside is just a single 1 pc stamping.

Later '53 lids have the trim holes drilled for the non-tri star emblems. Also, the reinforcment rib stamping has flat sheet metal spot welded to it and sandwitched between the ribs and the lid skin. Its hard to see unless you know what to look for. I ran into this when I used a "late" '53 lid on my "early" '53 K.

'54 lids have different holes for the different lift handle compared to '53

Both '53 and '54 lids have square cutouts between the reinforcement ribs on the underside. '55 lids have round circular cutouts instead. I've never seen the undersidde of a P-H lid to know if it is different from a '55 or earlier.

[Steven Ayres]

Here are some detail pics of my decklid:





Here's a closeup of the latch hole. Are these all the same?


Thanks!

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
58H-K7 660

[studegary]

Here are some detail pics of my decklid:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18608[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18609[/ATTACH]

Here's a closeup of the latch hole. Are these all the same?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]18610[/ATTACH]

Thanks!

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
58H-K7 660

That appears to be either a 1955 lid or a Packard Hawk lid.

[Steven Ayres]

That appears to be either a 1955 lid or a Packard Hawk lid.

Should I take it that the '55 and 58L versions are indistinguishable? Maybe the replacement lids were supplied to dealers without mounts for insignia or reverse lights so they could be used on any car?

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
58H-K7 660

[Bo Markham]

By PO do you refer to the Factory Production Order, or the Dealer to Customer Purchase Order?

The factory used a jeg/template to drill precision holes for emblems and accessory items installed at the factory. Sheetmetal wasn't pre-stamped for any of this, because of the different applications and locations. Of course, where Studebaker is concerned, one shoul never say never, right?

I think there was an aftermarket luggage rack, but I don't recall ever seeing a Studebaker authorized one?

Bo

[ralt12]

Both '53 and '54 lids have square cutouts between the reinforcement ribs on the underside.

One of the square-hole cutouts.....

[Steven Ayres]

For me PO = previous owner.

Steven Ayres, Prescott AZ
58H-K7 660

[Deaf Mute]

Here is the underside of the trunk lid of my early 1953 Commander Starlight Coupe (Tri-star trim).
I hope that this will help you.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Good pic's...Good info!

My '53 trunk lid was gutted, and I put a '62 trunk lid underside on the 53 skin.
All the trunk lid undersides I have ever seen (not that I was looking) were the later style).

Thanks, guys! I learned something today!
Jeff

[Flashback]

Who is this guy inspecting the trunk reinforcement in my 53? LOL

[DEEPNHOCK]

Big fat dork.....