For me, part of the fun in planning the upgrades for the Silver Hawk lies in the challenge of choosing the correct components that will all work together. There is not a one stop Studebaker Superstore that sells all of the parts needed to convert to front disc brakes, modern dual circuit master cylinder, correct ratio brake and clutch pedal assembly compatible with a 5 speed manual transmission etc. etc… Just determining where to begin requires quite a bit of thought process. When I am faced with a choice of two different courses to take, I have developed a personal system to determine the best plan of action. (No, it is not the SWAG system, even though I have used it numerous times as a last resort.) If I do not feel quite certain which is correct, then I determine which course I feel is right and then I actually choose the other. Since I am usually wrong, that way I will have chosen the correct way. This seems counterintuitive.
Actually in my case the wheels are where I need to start. The car currently has real spoke wheels with 225 tires instead of the factory 205 size. Real spoke wheels was a fad of the fifties. The whole wheel assembly is held on by a huge center knock off spud that requires a lead dead blow sledge hammer in order to knock it off. You better have that hammer with the car at all times or else you will have to find something on the side of the road to beat it with in case of a flat tire. The spindle snout adapter plate has gear like teeth that hold the wheel in place so it does not slip on the hub. Talk about an archaic system. I am wondering at what point in the history of this car did it get those real spoke wheels. It certainly did not leave the factory wearing those. I can imagine the conversation. ” Hey I’m gonna put some real spoke wheels on this thing with the biggest tire possible. Found some 15 inch wheels with P225/75 R 15s. Uh Oh I can’t even tighten them on without rubbing against the steering knuckle. Hey that’s no problem that’s what they make wheel spacers for.”
Real Spoke Wheels on the Silver Hawk
Dead Blow Hammer Required to Beat Off Center Spud
Spud Holds Wheel in Place
Spindle Snout Adapter that the Spud Screws On. Lugs are Left Hand Threads
I suppose the spoke wheels looked classy during that day but I am not a big fan. Some of the spuds are left hand threaded to utilize centrifugal force. Lord help you if you get them mixed up. Also some of the lug nuts that hold the adapter on are left hand threads. Look, I learned lefty loosy righty tighty!! or something like that. Those spoke wheels will have to go.
My new technical advisor is Chat GPT. Whether or not it merely validates what I am already thinking or fills in the gaps of my logic remains to be seen. I would like to think that I actually have something to contribute to the process. I wanted to know what kind of wheels Chat thought would look good on my car. Notice how I used the word “thought” in regards to artificial intelligence. It doesn’t really think does it? I don’t know. So I took a side view photo of the Silver Hawk and let Chat come up with something.
Current Wire Spoke Wheels
This is what Chat GPT suggested for replacement wheels
WOW! I think Chat did pretty good. Those are American Racing VN105D Torq Thrust 15 x 6 Wheels. I will pair these with a size P205/75 R15 black wall tire. The car currently has 225 size tires that rub the fender walls on tight turns. Yeah, I know, just don’t make tight turns. But I think it will actually look better with the smaller tires.
Tire size comparison. Old tire on left. New tire on right.
New Wheel and Tire
New Wheel Installed. I Like that much better!
One of the reasons I wanted to do this blog was so that I could document all of the restorations on the Silver Hawk and the thought process that went into each one. The reason for setting it up as chapters is so that each individual build can be documented separately. Naturally some tasks will overlap. I am not a mechanic but I have gained just enough skills in my life to be dangerous. But if you are like me then you are probably here just for the pictures. So I will try to include as many pictures as possible. Perhaps you are interested in upgrading a project car yourself. Hopefully this exercise will be helpful. If you are a true Car Guy then it should at least provide some amusement.
Here is a list of the upgrades I plan to do.
- Relocate Battery to the Trunk
- Add front Disc Brakes
- Add New Pedal Assembly
- Dual Circuit Master Cylinder
- Add Power Steering
- 5 speed Tremec Transmission
- Air Conditioning
- Electronic Ignition
- Fuel Injection
My coffee cup is empty so I guess it is time to get started.
