Frua Larks

[avantilover]

I believe that one of the members has two of these Italian Bodied Larks, how is the restoration going?

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!

[mbstude]

I believe the owner is Pat Drnec, but I don't think he posts here. Maybe he does and I just haven't seen him! Not sure about the cars though.

Matthew Burnette, the 16 year old Stude nut.
South Georgia Chapter Newsletter Editor
63 Daytona HT (project)
51 2R16 dump truck (yes, I won the raffle)
52 Commander Starliner (basket case)(will trade for another Stude <g&gt
MANY more Studes in the family and a few parts cars.
Click my name and check out "Links".

[JDP]

He does not, but he has not done much more then some disassembly.

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
Studebaker News Group

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.studebaker

64 Daytona HT
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Black
63 GT Hawk
62 Daytona HT

[mbstude]

Here's his webpage: http://homepage.mac.com/pdrnec/PhotoAlbum81.html
And here's our very own Mr. Dick Steinkamp's pix: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ddstnk...r=1b85&.src=ph

Matthew Burnette, the 16 year old Stude nut.
South Georgia Chapter Newsletter Editor
63 Daytona HT (project)
51 2R16 dump truck (yes, I won the raffle)
52 Commander Starliner (basket case)(will trade for another Stude <g&gt
MANY more Studes in the family and a few parts cars.
Click my name and check out "Links".

[Roscomacaw]

Pat has posted here a few times. He's a busy fella.

I've personally inspected these Frua Larks at his place in Los Angeles and all I can say is it's one HELL of a project!

One car may serve to offer parts to restore the other, but they're not really alike so there's not much that can be scavenged off the lesser example to serve the "better" one.
Either way, one would do well to buy stock in the company that produces whatever brand of penetrating oil Pat uses.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[avantilover]

quote:Originally posted by Mr.Biggs

Pat has posted here a few times. He's a busy fella.

I've personally inspected these Frua Larks at his place in Los Angeles and all I can say is it's one HELL of a project!

One car may serve to offer parts to restore the other, but they're not really alike so there's not much that can be scavenged off the lesser example to serve the "better" one.
Either way, one would do well to buy stock in the company that produces whatever brand of penetrating oil Pat uses.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

Thanks to Matthew's photo link, I can see what you mean[:0]. Hopefully they'll be done eventually, as there can't be many of them left. I can imagine Classic Restorations in NY doing them up, but wouldn't like to pay Marvin's bill

Good luck Pat!!!

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!

[bams50]

OW!!

Makes one wonder just when a car's too far gone to save...[xx(]

When I was a kid, my father had a body off a 20s or 30s Yellow Cab car... nothing but the back, sidewalls, and cowl... he bought it for $500 he couldn't spare from a local collector (boy, did my mother freak out![B)])... About 2 weeks later he sold it to a collector from out of state for I believe $1200 in early 70s dollars!! I still remember the really wealthy collector flying in with an expert with all kinds of papers and a clipboard... in about 15 minutes he gave Dad cash, then later that day a truck came and gathered up the pieces...

It was burned into me that day that anything can be restored; the only question is if it should be

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by bams50

OW!!

Makes one wonder just when a car's too far gone to save...[xx(]

Those Frua Larks are VERY special cars. Besides that, (IMHO) they are quite good looking. Think what a hit they would make at a SDC national meet []. I've certainly seen "lesser" cars in worse shape brought back, but it WILL be a big job. [^]

[bams50]

I agree on the looks; I think that style's one of the coolest old cars I've seen [8D][8D][8D]

Not to mention, until this thread, I never even HEARD of them....

Hope someday we can see one restored!

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by bams50

I agree on the looks; I think that style's one of the coolest old cars I've seen [8D][8D][8D]

Not to mention, until this thread, I never even HEARD of them....

There was a TW article on these cars a couple of years back. Hopefully someone has an updated index and can post the issue. If not, I'll dig through my back issues and find it. Pat was so impressed with the cars as shown in TW that he tracked down the then current owner in Italy, bought them, and had them shipped to his warehouse in L.A.

[glen]

Dick,

The Frua article was in the April 2004 edition of TW.
The article was called the "Mystery Sudebaker." A very
interesting write up by Art Unger. Amazing what they
did with some Lark VI and VIII chassis.





Glen Brose
53 Champion 2 dr Sedan

[Roscomacaw]

I like the styling of them as well. Very European to be sure.
One thing that I found intriguing was that they saw fit to duplicate some of the Studebaker script in miniature (about half size actually). And the one that has a Hawk emblem on the grille - they crafted a "seat" for that flat-backed factory badge so that it faired nicely onto the grille to which it was affixed. Little touches like that said that they were indeed serious about making these with fine fit and finish. I'll bet the cars would've cost a pretty penny had they ever gone into production![:0]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[showbizkid]

What's the story on these cars? I've never seen them mentioned in any of the Studebaker books.

---------------------------
Clark in San Diego:

Proud new owner of a '63 Lark!

[Roscomacaw]

Frua exported some 60 Lark chassis' that year and bodied them as prototypes for possible offer to the European market. They applied their own custom-styled bodies onto the Studebaker chassis'. There were but a handful (5 or 6 I think) that were ever built.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[mbstude]

I don't think they'll be ready for Omaha. You're right Biggs, LOTSA neat little touches that really to the trick.

Matthew Burnette, the 16 year old Stude nut.
South Georgia Chapter Newsletter Editor
63 Daytona HT (project)
51 2R16 dump truck (yes, I won the raffle)
52 Commander Starliner (basket case)(will trade for another Stude <g&gt
MANY more Studes in the family and a few parts cars.
Click my name and check out "Links".