Frame info swap question

[Orestudeguy]

If I understand the parts catalog correctly, part #1547224
fits "W" & "F" bodies. Therefor my question is, will the frame from a 1960 "W" 4door sedan fit under a 1960 "F" 2door sedan body?

The wheelbase is the same?

thanks,

George
Grants Pass, Oregon
65 Commander 2door
64 Wagonaire's ( 1 Canadian fixed roof disc brake car, the other sliding roof South Bend car.)

63 GT Hawk
51 Champion Starlight Coupe

[R2Andrea]

Yes, the '59 and '60 F body (2 dr.) and W body (4 dr.) share the same frame and 108.5" wheelbase.

R2Andy

[Orestudeguy]

Thank you, Andy!

George
Grants Pass, Oregon
65 Commander 2door
64 Wagonaire's ( 1 Canadian fixed roof disc brake car, the other sliding roof South Bend car.)

63 GT Hawk
51 Champion Starlight Coupe

[socalstudeguy]

yes thanks andy i will prepair a frame swap on KARL!
HI DAD haha! i figured i would keep an eye on the post so you didnt have to email it to me!

George & Chief
65 Commander 2 dr
63 Champ Pickup
60 lark 2 dr

[Jessie J.]

I've been reading on the Jalopy Journal H.A.M.B Message board a lot of posts about converting "lowly' and "undesirable" 4door sedans into more desiable 2 doors. Quite a few of these very sucessful appearing conversions have been accomplished (mostly on Tri-Five Chevy's)
Looks like the Lark (and '56-'58) body shells would be very easy to do this with.
I would guess given Studebaker's rather simple and "bolt-together" consruction, with a lot of interchangability between yeras and models, that this would likely be easier to do on a Studebaker than any other make.
Just an observation, as all of mine are already 2 dr. But a nice, solid '59-'60 would be tempting.
Nah, just kidding. I -love- the '59-'60s as cute little 4 doors.
But an otherwise "unwanted" '64-'66 would be another story, as I have a barn full of 2 door sheet metal, glass and trim for these, and would love to own a nice Challenger 2 door sedan. Just dreaming out loud you understand.

[R2Andrea]

Jessie be aware that does not apply to the '62 -'66 4 drs. (Y bodies). They shared the 113" WB with the P bodies (wagons) while the 2 drs. (F,J and L bodies) used the 109" wheelbase. And while I'm not a huge fan of 4 drs. they are just as nice as the rest of the line.

R2Andy

[clonelark]

Ok now i have a question,could you remove the rear doors and rear quarter panels and put 2 dr station wagon quarter panels on a 4 dr, or even 2 dr quarter panels. (Thinking of making a Larkamino) or are the 4 dr front doors too short?

[candbstudebakers]

Geo. do you have the frame? I have a 64 2 door frame and it still has the front parts on it we just removed the rear springs ...Bob

Bob Peterson / C & B Studebakers

Castro Valley, CA

[bams50]

quote:Originally posted by Jessie J.

I've been reading on the Jalopy Journal H.A.M.B Message board a lot of posts about converting "lowly' and "undesirable" 4door sedans into more desiable 2 doors. Quite a few of these very sucessful appearing conversions have been accomplished (mostly on Tri-Five Chevy's)
Looks like the Lark (and '56-'58) body shells would be very easy to do this with. But a nice, solid '59-'60 would be tempting.

But an otherwise "unwanted" '64-'66 would be another story

I couldn't see going to all that trouble with a Stude. There are still quite a few 2drs. available for pretty cheap prices of all years. That's the beauty of Studebakers![^]

Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"Do they all not, by mere virtue of having survived as relics of a bygone era, amass a level of respect perhaps not accorded to them when they were new?"

[Orestudeguy]

Bob P.
We started out looking to replace the front crossmember but couldn't find one. Then went the route of trying to find a good welder to repair the crack in the crossmember, no dice, no one would tackle it.
So I found a 60 4door with no engine & trans to be the donor.
The car is a nice car so it will be saved for a later project when we can find another frame to put under it.


George
Grants Pass, Oregon
65 Commander 2door
64 Wagonaire's ( 1 Canadian fixed roof disc brake car, the other sliding roof South Bend car.)

63 GT Hawk
51 Champion Starlight Coupe

[studeclunker]

Hi George! Glad to see Karl is coming along. Hey Junior, any photos on progress available? Think maybe you could start a thread? Something for us nosey ones who don't get out much (ask your dad he'll tell ya).


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[Orestudeguy]

Hi Ron,

I'll email you some pic's of Karl as he sits now.
Note the pic's are from last weekend.
More work to come now with two Studes apart!!
I think my son had better move up here before he runs out of room!!

Oh, and he doesn't go by "junior"!!

George
Grants Pass, Oregon
64 Station Wagon with fixed roof (Canadian Car)

64 Wagonaire sliding roof South Bend car.

63 GT Hawk

51 Champion Starlight Coupe

[Orestudeguy]

An update on Karl.

We found a 60 Lark 4 door to rob the frame out from under. Turns out the car is too nice and solid with no floor rust. My Son didn't really want to part it out. But he wants Karl on the road.
We decided to use the frame from under the four door to get Karl on the road and save the four door for a future project. (Find another frame for it, ugh).
Yesterday I received an e-mail form a forum member who has come to the rescue! He has a crossmember that will replace the cracked one in Karl!
This saves my Son a huge amount of work and the four door from being robbed of it's frame.
Now all we need is a right front fender and a good front grille panel.
The engine has a new to it oil pan, the brakes are all new, brake hoses replaced, and master cylinder replaced.
The engine has been replaced at one time (as discussed in a previous post) after the engine and trans were pressure washed it appears that the trans has been replaced or gone thru as well. The trans was painted silver with a red trans pan.
Hopefully if all goes well, Karl will be back on the road for the summer. And probably for Drive your Studebaker day.
And now we have a four door Lark as a stable mate for Karl, name to be determined later.


George
Grants Pass, Oregon
64 Station Wagon with fixed roof (Canadian Car)

64 Wagonaire sliding roof South Bend car.

63 GT Hawk

51 Champion Starlight Coupe

[socalstudeguy]

Yes i cant part with that 4 door. It looks clean so far.. then again i have not gone through the car like i have karl. Im waiting on that crossmember to get him going.. once i get that installed i can drop the engine and trans back in him and hit the streets..

George & Chief
Orange County CA
65 Commander 2 dr
63 Champ Pickup
60 lark 2 dr
60 Lark 4 dr