My aunt Helen Persigo bought this GT Hawk brand new in 1964. I always had admired the car as a little kid. It was different from most other cars. In 1984 when I graduated from college my aunt gave it to me as a graduation present. The car was in real good condition. It only had 64,000 miles. I entered it into numerous shows and getting second place was the best I would see. The car was clean but original. It needed some major refreshing in order to do better. So in 1988 I decided to take the plunge and started to pull the car apart. I decided to go with an off the chassis restoration. It took me about four years to pull the whole car apart. The car was in my mothers garage because I did not have one and she did not use it. My brother had restored a 1959 Corvette in this same garage several years before. After I finally completed the dismantling I came to a point in my life where I was concerned with my job and needed to go back to school. The car sat for about seven years while I went to school at night. In 2002 I built my house WITH A GARAGE, thank you very much!!  I started moving the car to my house. In 2005 I sent the doors, fenders, trunk and hood to a blaster to get bead blasted and primed. In late 2005 I sent the body to get bead blasted and primed and am anxiously waiting for its completion.

   The car will be a major project as I have discovered from the blasting all of the dents that have revealed themselves. There is major metal work in most fenders that will need repairs. I guess the little old lady that mainly drove to church and grocery managed to hit a few things along the way. I am looking forward to the future progress of this car. It will be work but should be fun as well.

Pictured above is my uncle, Charles (C.J.) Persigo, also a SDC Louisiana member, who is helping with the renovation.

Mark Persigo