Packard Forum Index » Studebaker Built Packards (1957 - 58)

Hi,

This question isn't directly about Packards, it's about Hawks - Stude or Packard - made in Australia and the question is really for Mal.

According to this Craigslist ad, the car in question was made in either South Africa and Australia and is finless because a small number of Hawks made by Stude there that year were made without fins.

It sounds like fiction but I suppose it could be true; after all, when Hurley ordered up the first P.H. he wanted something that looked like a 57 Masaratti Allemano. Remove the fins and the dagmars from a P.H. and there is a definite resemblance and to some of the European cars of the day.

So, maybe there is something to this guy's story. However, since it doesn't have right hand drive, I think the guy is probably making it up on the fly.

What say you, Mal? Fact or Fiction?

Mike,

Seeing I know nothing, I'll pass a link to this query onto another Aussie PackardInfo member in Chris, starliner. Chris, besides being a member of PACA(the Aussie Packard Club) is also a member of the Studebaker Car Club of NSW owning 2 Studes in addition to his Packards. If Chris doesn't know I'm sure he'll be able to find out and let us know.

Mike,

Just received this reply, guy is having computer problems, so posting it on his behalf.

"....just rang one of the gurus who says that only in 1956 they were finless here, South Africa and USA as well. They were also assembled in Belgium without fins from 56 to 61. So it sounds like someone has removed them or its a Belgium car. Sorry I can't answer this on packard info....my computer crashed and haven't had the time to sort it out. Hope this is some help to the guy...."

D'Ieteren Freres did the assembly from knock-down kits in Belgium for Studebaker for many years. They also did one or two 56 Packards. The firm, still very much in business today, made their automotive reputation in the prewar era by building bodies for Minerva, Mercedes, Hispano, Renault and other expensive European classics. They also had a license from Weymann for manufacture of the fabric bodies. Postwar they had a contract to assemble Volkswagons, I believe that plant was sold back to VW about 1975. The company itself predates the creation of modern Belgium as a country.

Good history of them on Coachbuilt.com, or on their own website.

Photos are of a Minerva (1931? or possibly earier) with a Weyman-license body by D'Ieteren Freres; it's an 8-cylinder sleeve valve, engine built by Minerva under license from Knight.

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Al, I might be interested in the tail lights. Don't know if they will fit on my '57 Clipper, but what the hell. If he only wants $500 for the whole car.....