Originally posted by starliner62
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Studebaker "Sparrow"
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Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
(formerly Greenville, PA)
Currently owned: 1966 Cruiser, Timberline Turquoise, 26K miles
Formerly owned: 1963 Lark Daytona Skytop R1, Ermine White
1964 Daytona Hardtop, Strato Blue
1966 Daytona Sports Sedan, Niagara Blue Mist
All are in Australia now
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Originally posted by showbizkid View PostI've always thought that the first pic, the one with the angled grille, looked much like an early '70s Volvo 140. The smaller one, with the more Lark-like grille, reminds me of a Datsun 510 in the greenhouse and fender area.
Another thing I noticed was the two-piece type doors. They look like the '63-6 type doors with the large wing windows.
Also, is it me, or does the smaller car appear to have fourteen inch rims? The wheels definately look smaller. ...Which actually looks good with the design.
One last thing, did these end up in the 'boneyard'?Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Fawn Lodge, CA?
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Originally posted by Chris_Dresbach View Post[FONT=Comic Sans MS]
No. These cars were destroyed. Only a select few that were snuck out of engineering or had other pourposes (like how the Bourke prototypes went to Bourkes collection). The "newest" car in the graveyard is a '55.
Craig
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Originally posted by 8E45E View PostDid you check EVERY ROOM in that Engineering Building? They could still be well hidden under some tarps and other debris in there!!
CraigChris Dresbach
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Originally posted by Chris_Dresbach View PostOne last thing, did these end up in the 'boneyard'?
What you refer to as Bourke's prototype in Bob's collection was not a Studebaker prototype. That car was Bob's personal 1954 Commander Starliner that he made modifications to.Gary L.
Wappinger, NY
SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer
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Originally posted by Chris_Dresbach View PostOne last thing, did these end up in the 'boneyard'?
What you refer to as Bourke's prototype in Bob's collection was not a Studebaker prototype. The car was Bob's personal 1954 Commander Starliner that Bob made modifications to.Gary L.
Wappinger, NY
SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer
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The new small "Lark" was known internally as the B-62, 62B, 621 and the 622. It used an independant front suspension with ball joints, rather than Studebakers traditional kingpins. The upper A arm was of the conventional type (but different than the standard Stude issue) but the lower arm had a single inboard pivot and used a strut to control fore and aft movement. The lower arm arangement is similar to the early Mustang, although the spring acted on the lower suspension arm whereas Fords acted on the upper arm. The rear suspension was also independant and used swing axles.
There were approxamately 12 engines built and at least one car prototype running when Sherwood Egbert took over as President and killed the project. I was told by a reliable witness that there was also a Champ pickup running around with the flat four in it for development miles. 2 engines, 2 sets of NOS pistons and some Engineering drawings are all that have survived of the project. Everything else was destroyed.
The car was going to be offered in the W-F-J-D-and P body styles.Last edited by R2Andrea; 10-07-2010, 05:04 PM.R2Andrea
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Rumor has it that the Sparrow prototype is parked in the underground tunnel near the engineering building, but the entrance is filled in with dirt....at least that is the rumor I am trying to start.sigpic
In the middle of MinneSTUDEa.
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R2 Andy,
Thanks for such detailed information. I had no idea Studebaker had engineered a more modern suspension system for the baby Lark. I assume the larger Lark would continue to be built on the current, 108" chassis (complete with kingpins), true?
From a historical standpoint, this was an interesting proposal. Except for the base Chevy II, no american manufacture offered a four cylinder engine in the '60's - only the growing number of imports.
This would have been an interesting (and heavy, I would think) small car, as Studebaker would have had a small, yet traditional body on frame construction.Eric DeRosa
\'63 R2 Lark
\'60 Lark Convertible
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Originally posted by 2R2 View PostFrom a historical standpoint, this was an interesting proposal. Except for the base Chevy II, no american manufacture offered a four cylinder engine in the '60's - only the growing number of imports.sigpic
In the middle of MinneSTUDEa.
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Originally posted by 2R2 View PostExcept for the base Chevy II, no american manufacture offered a four cylinder engine in the '60's - only the growing number of imports.
This would have been an interesting (and heavy, I would think) small car, as Studebaker would have had a small, yet traditional body on frame construction.Originally posted by Milaca View PostOne might consider International Harvester's Scout SUV as it had a V8 engine cut in half lengthways for a four-cylinder engine option. It continued as an option until the late 1970's. It is a shame that the Sparrow car wasnt produced as it may have brought about many innovations. Even more sad is that the prototype didnt remain in existance to be displayed in the museum.
CraigLast edited by 8E45E; 10-07-2010, 07:47 PM.
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Originally posted by studegary View PostNo. These cars were destroyed. Only a select few that were snuck out of engineering or had other pourposes (like how the Bourke prototypes went to Bourkes collection). The "newest" car in the graveyard is a '55.
Not exactly, other cars. I think he also had the white Wagonare prototype and the black Lark with the angled grille.Chris Dresbach
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Originally posted by Chris_Dresbach View PostWhat you refer to as Bourke's prototype in Bob's collection was not a Studebaker prototype. The car was Bob's personal 1954 Commander Starliner that Bob made modifications to.
Those are the Brooks Stevens cars, Chris! How many times have you mentioned that in your previous posts??
Craig
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Originally posted by 8E45E View PostNot exactly, other cars. I think he also had the white Wagonare prototype and the black Lark with the angled grille.
Craig[/QUOTE]
Stevens, Bourke... Yeah, that sounds the same ya know.... lol
Oops.Chris Dresbach
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