Body / Glass: 64 to 63 Lark Front Clip

[3x2stude]

On a Lark can you bolt a '64 front clip on a '63 or are the body lines different at the door interface? I need a platform for my blower motor and the Lark is a candidate. I am partial to the tail end of the '63 but dislike the "Mercedes" grille. I like the '64 grille but am not fond of the tail light change. I am very C/K body savvy but a moron on the Lark body. Help me out here.

JK

[StudeRich]

The '64 Has a longer front end, you will have to check/compare the Frame Rails to see if they lengthened the Frame or just the Bumper Brackets.

[63t-cab]

Yes You can, I once put a 64 Challenger front clip "complete" on a 63 Wagonair. can't say for sure if the two years have front frame horn length differences, if so it is micro. as stated above that the 64s have a longer front end, not really it's just more of an illusion than any thing else.

[Kurt]

Yes this will work. Bumper brackets are longer. Frame is the same. I used a 62 Lark frame to replace a rusted 66 frame. They were identical. I used 63doors in the 66 too. I just changed the upper window frames.

[swvalcon]

I would think it would be just a bracket change. Studebaker didn't have the money to change the frame but a bracket change should have been in the budget.

[Jerry Forrester]

Studebaker didn't have the money to change the frame.

Since finding out that Studebaker made special doors to fit the '56 Golden Hawk, and ONLY the '56 Golden Hawk I never assume they did things the sensible way when it came to spending money. That's probably one reason they closed US automobile production in 1963. IMHO.

[swvalcon]

Jerry sometimes I will agree with you there. I know while working on my hawk restore there's been more than once where I've said. WHAT THE F*** where they thinking.

[studegary]

Since finding out that Studebaker made special doors to fit the '56 Golden Hawk, and ONLY the '56 Golden Hawk I never assume they did things the sensible way when it came to spending money. That's probably one reason they closed US automobile production in 1963. IMHO.

I believe that they modified the K body door die and used those modified doors on both the Sky Hawk and Golden Hawk. Remember that they changed the K body doors again for 1957.

[3x2stude]

Cool, game on to look for a "solid" '63 hardtop. Preferably a stick, V-8 or L6 or no motor. I would prefer a driver, not necessarily a cross country driver but a " I trust it as far as I can afford to have it towed home type of driver"' like my '61 Hawk. Near me would be good but not a requirement. My wife will kill me if I by another car but after 32 years you'd think she'd be used to it.

JK

[TWChamp]

Since finding out that Studebaker made special doors to fit the '56 Golden Hawk, and ONLY the '56 Golden Hawk I never assume they did things the sensible way when it came to spending money. That's probably one reason they closed US automobile production in 1963. IMHO.

I agree with Jerry. It always amazed me the variety of body styles and sizes a smaller car company like Studebaker could offer. That had to be very costly, and hurt the bottom line. I'm sure glad they did offer so much during the 50's though.

[Warren Webb]

Cool, game on to look for a "solid" '63 hardtop. Preferably a stick, V-8 or L6 or no motor. I would prefer a driver, not necessarily a cross country driver but a " I trust it as far as I can afford to have it towed home type of driver"'

JK

I've thought doing the same thing. I have always loved the look of the 62/63 and the front end of the 64-66. Doug in Westchester California has done that with his 63. His has the 66 grille treatment. I would go along the same lines except remove the "tacked on chrome" that the 63 has & go with the sheer beauty of the 62 treatment. Simpler & more elegant in my opinion.

[Rerun]

For my 2 cents, I always preferred the front end and roof line of the '64, but thought that the '64 rear treatment was a bit weak. If I were building a "one off", I would start with '64 model, and change the rear panel and trunk and tail lights to a '63 style.

[Milaca]

On a Lark can you bolt a '64 front clip on a '63 or are the body lines different at the door interface? I need a platform for my blower motor and the Lark is a candidate. I am partial to the tail end of the '63 but dislike the "Mercedes" grille. I like the '64 grille but am not fond of the tail light change. I am very C/K body savvy but a moron on the Lark body. Help me out here.

JK

[ATTACH=CONFIG]69193[/ATTACH]

Your engine looks awesome! With the intake that high, you should be able to drive though some mighty deep snow without sucking it into the intake.

[stude1964]

Yes you can put a '64 nose on a '63. Sedans may be easier than a wagon or conv. I made a '64 wagon out of a '63 due to several reasons. There are a lot of differences including the emergency brake and wiring harnesses. Also the rear doors on a '63 are different as the exterior door handles are lower in the door as well as the upper door frame differences.
Rob in PA.