Project for Grandson and me

[drrotor]

Today my Grandson brought a friend and we went and bought a barn-find project to work on together. He’s just turned 16 and can’t wait to get a car(!) so we picked up this ‘65 Cruiser to bring back to life. It was last licensed in 1978 and has sat in this barn since then, near as we can tell. It’s a very unusual car, because it’s a Cruiser (Luxury) but is a total stripper: 283/ 3spd/ O.D. no PS no PB no AC radio delete and seller said it even came with dog dish hubcaps! He upgraded them but nothing else. Was parked because of a transmission problem. The engine was stuck, but came free, and it needs everything after sitting for decades. Super solid and rust-free! Beautiful floors and trunk. But it is supposed to be a learning tool to teach a interested young man all about cars, especially STUDEBAKERS! We really had to work at it to get it out of the barn where it had sunk into the earthbut we got it loose and loaded onto my trailer and towed it home, where the kids immediately were tasked with cleaning it up! We got the 1st (and 2nd!) layers of crud off, but still have a long way to go!it will be 2 years (at least) before he’s allowed to drive it, so in the mean time, we’ll have lots of work to do together!

[TWChamp]

That looks good enough to give it a good wax job to really make it shine. Great choice for a first car.

[BobPalma]

'Looks like an ideal project, needing just enough for the experience but not so much as to cause anyone to be discouraged part way through....and a nice combination as to power train. Congratulations! BP

[TWChamp]

Having no radio can be a good thing. Even on my modern car, I haven't turned the radio on for the past 5 years because there is nothing worth listening to. Right away I found myself much more concentrating strictly on driving, and being on the lookout for distracted drivers around me. Surprisingly my 50 Land Cruiser also doesn't have a radio, and I don't miss it, except for the fact it makes the dash look a bit bare. It sure makes under dash work easier though.

[studeclunker]

Hope your grandson has a great time with the car and you too! Wonderful idea to get him outside and away from the gaming.

[Stude Shoo-wop!]

First of all, I congratulate you and your son for embarking on this project. You justly deserve the credit in keeping the Studebaker name in good standing. I have a 1962 GT Hawk myself, and while it may be much more impractical, it gives me as much fun as I could possible want. As for the radio, I plan on keeping the original AM unit in the dashboard simply for automotive jewelry. I don't really care for listening to music when I have a 289 cu. crescendo available!

[Bullet]

List your Cruiser on the Cruiser registry. Looks like a very nice car and since it is a 1965 will be easier for him to work on but keeping with Studebaker.

Mark

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

There always seems to be the notion that a ‘65 or ‘66 is “easier” to work on, or maybe get parts for. As a long time Studebaker parts dealer, I can tell you that there are some parts that are unique to these that are not easy to find. Torque converter, torque converter drive plate, torque converter pilot adapter, automatic transmission kick down cable assembly, upper radiator hose, etc.

[drrotor]

List your Cruiser on the Cruiser registry. Looks like a very nice car and since it is a 1965 will be easier for him to work on but keeping with Studebaker.

Mark

Where do I find this registry?

[abkco]

I was just going to say the same thing. I was driving my 65 Cruiser yesterday, when a Chevy guy told me how lucky I was to have a Chevy 283. Same reasoning, parts are easy and cheaper. However, most of us know we can get most 259 engine parts locally, just as easy as any GMC, and hard to find parts are a day away.

[aQUOTE=Studebakercenteroforegon;1131003]There always seems to be the notion that a ‘65 or ‘66 is “easier” to work on, or maybe get parts for. As a long time Studebaker parts dealer, I can tell you that there are some parts that are unique to these that are not easy to find. Torque converter, torque converter drive plate, torque converter pilot adapter, automatic transmission kick down cable assembly, upper radiator hose, etc.[/QUOTE]

[Bullet]

Kenny,

Go to the SDC main web page. Click on resources. In the list you will see registries. Click on registries. I manage the 1964/65 Cruiser registry. The list will show what all information I collect. I do not list your name, only the state where the car/ you are located.

Happy to add your car to the list!

Mark

[t walgamuth]

Nice looking Barn Find!