Classic recollections: 1961 Studebaker Hawk, Steve Jaffe, Glenview

Steve Jaffe's passion for the Studebaker Hawk was passed down to him from his dad, who was smitten with the finned coupe's forefather, the Golden Hawk, from its '56 inception at the nearby South Bend, Ind., factory.

Poised to buy but with two young children at home, the Jaffe family found a much more sedate vehicle eventually making its way into the home's garage: a pink station wagon — the preference of the Mrs.

But the Mr. never forgot his intense love for the captivating two-door, so in 1976 the senior Jaffe settled on acquiring a worn out '61 Hawk and promptly embarked upon a father/son restoration project.

By this time in the car's eight-year run, all trim levels (Flight, Power, Sky, Golden, Silver and Packard) had been condensed into a single ‘Hawk' model, winnowing the brand's automotive aviary into a single, dazzling flagship.

Years later, the Studebaker's magnetism still thoroughly held the Glenview father and son, who enjoyed their four-wheeled fowl until a 1977 collision totaled their creation, bringing their fun to an abrupt end.

Setback, but not easily discouraged, the family duo yanked the still operable drivetrain and unblemished interior and went on the hunt for a suitable replacement. Within a few months, they uncovered this second white '61 Hawk languishing in a downstate Urbana industrial park. Gone was the engine, transmission, hood and bumpers, but the rest suffering minimal rust.

The two men knew their discovery would form a solid foundation for a mechanical transplant. The unspoiled body was removed and the family team performed an amateur frame-up restoration, sourcing any needed parts from the wrecked vehicle.

With minimal invested, the recreated Studebaker was out on the road by the summer of '80, later playing a star role in Steve's 1985 wedding procession.

When he purchased his first home in 1987, Steve's father awarded him the car and in the years since, he has gone back to amend, and refine, some of their earlier repairs.

“My goal has been to keep it appearing stock but still safe, fun and reliable,” he says.

The front drum brakes were replaced with more reliable discs, heavier front and rear sway bars installed, the factory four-speed was tossed in favor of a mileage-friendly five. Inside the cabin, you'll find added modern touches like air conditioning and cruise control.

The healthy 304 cubic-inch V-8 motors quietly as Steve makes regular treks to the weekly cruise nights in Palatine, Libertyville and Mundelein. “My daughter and son love the car as much as I do and are always debating who gets it when I'm gone. Its raged for years and it's not close to being over!” he says.

With such strong family sentiments, its clear the sculpted lines of the classic Hawk have captured the imagination of yet another generation of Jaffes, ensuring this winged beauty will stay out on the open highways for years to come.