So You Think All R1 & R2 Larks Had Tachs??

[2R2]

One thing I have learned in my many years in the Studebaker hobby is one should avoid using the words "always" and "never." I have heard many people say that a R1 or supercharged R2 Studebaker would always come with a factory installed tachometer, and would never have a clock.

Well, not really; take a look at the following sales letter, dated October 11, 1962.

You will see that for awhile, Studebaker was shipping R1 and R2 Larks without a tach, and, in some cases, a clock instead of the tach!

Now, it is interesting that a few days later, somebody must have thought of a quick fix to this problem - if we are out of Lark style tachs, why not just put an Avanti tach in a Lark? Thus, the following deviation permit, dated October 16, 1962 was released:

the lesson here? If you see a Lark with a R1 or R2 engine without a tach (or a clock instead) don't automatically assume it is a clone or a basterdized car.

Oh, and for the record, my factory R2 Lark has the correct tach :{)

[Bill Pressler]

My old R1 Daytona Skytop, assembled 9/28/62, had the correct (non-Avanti) style tach when I bought it in May '88.

[JEWELL]

Never say never when it comes to Studes. Thats what makes this fun.

[rbruner]

Do you have any pics of the tach in place? Is it the same dash as a '63 Champ?
Thanks

[BobPalma]

Do you have any pics of the tach in place? Is it the same dash as a '63 Champ?
Thanks

No, Bob; it's not. Champ trucks retained the 1959-1960 style dash to the end because they retained the 1960 and earlier cowl and windshield, etc. A 1963-1966 "Lark" dash won't fit a Champ truck without serious modification, if at all.

If you want a tachometer in your Champ, the easiest way to add one is to simply use a steering-column bracket with an aftermarket tach. BP

[rbruner]

Thanks, Bob
I have an under dash tach in place that came with the truck. I was being hopeful when I saw the "Avanti tach" application that it would be a good match for my R1 Avanti engine that is on its way from Dave Thibeault.

[8E45E]

No, Bob; it's not. Champ trucks retained the 1959-1960 style dash to the end because they retained the 1962 and earlier cowl and windshield, etc. A 1963-1966 "Lark" dash won't fit a Champ truck without serious modification, if at all.

Bob, will a '61-'62 dash fit in the same space as an earlier Lark, or Champ truck? The cowl was modified for fresh air vents, and therefore, the windshield is quite different, so I'm not sure if the dash would be a direct fit. Seems to me the dash flatter where it meets the cowl.

Craig

[studegary]

No, Bob; it's not. Champ trucks retained the 1959-1960 style dash to the end because they retained the 1962 and earlier cowl and windshield, etc. A 1963-1966 "Lark" dash won't fit a Champ truck without serious modification, if at all.

. BP

I thought that all Champs used the 1959-1960 cowl. Remember that the car cowl was changed for 1961.
I agree that the 1963 dash is not a bolt-in.

[53k]

One thing I have learned in my many years in the Studebaker hobby is one should avoid using the words "always" and "never." I have heard many people say that a R1 or supercharged R2 Studebaker would always come with a factory installed tachometer, and would never have a clock.

Well, not really; take a look at the following sales letter, dated October 11, 1962.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]22087[/ATTACH]
You will see that for awhile, Studebaker was shipping R1 and R2 Larks without a tach, and, in some cases, a clock instead of the tach!

Now, it is interesting that a few days later, somebody must have thought of a quick fix to this problem - if we are out of Lark style tachs, why not just put an Avanti tach in a Lark? Thus, the following deviation permit, dated October 16, 1962 was released:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]22088[/ATTACH]
the lesson here? If you see a Lark with a R1 or R2 engine without a tach (or a clock instead) don't automatically assume it is a clone or a basterdized car.

Oh, and for the record, my factory R2 Lark has the correct tach :{)

The dealer from whom I bought my Wagonaire had a fairly early '63 Cruiser with an R-1 (hd column shift, drum brakes). It had a clock rather than a tach. The car was gold with a red broadcloth interior- pretty stunning combo.

[BobPalma]

I thought that all Champs used the 1959-1960 cowl. Remember that the car cowl was changed for 1961.
I agree that the 1963 dash is not a bolt-in.

Good Point, gary; I was thinking about the windshield and associated framework. I'll change the OP. BP

[BobPalma]

Bob, will a '61-'62 dash fit in the same space as an earlier Lark, or Champ truck? The cowl was modified for fresh air vents, and therefore, the windshield is quite different, so I'm not sure if the dash would be a direct fit. Seems to me the dash flatter where it meets the cowl. Craig

Right, Craig; I don't know that for sure, so modified the OP per Gary's observation. BP

[StudeRich]

According to what the letter says, there should be next to NONE of the Larks out there without a Tach. because they shipped it to the Dealer later. So although interesting, the whole issue is an "extreme temporary Exception", not the rule.

[Bordeaux Daytona]

One thing I have learned in my many years in the Studebaker hobby is one should avoid using the words "always" and "never." I have heard many people say that a R1 or supercharged R2 Studebaker would always come with a factory installed tachometer, and would never have a clock.

the lesson here? If you see a Lark with a R1 or R2 engine without a tach (or a clock instead) don't automatically assume it is a clone or a basterdized car.

Remember that R1 64 Daytona Hardtop Ed George had? Whoever ordered that one didn't get the full package but then they ordered it with a clock instead and Studebaker built it that way, the car was pretty well loaded up with accessories. I did get to see the build sheet. I should have bought that car, oh well.

[StudeRich]

That Car was an extra "Special" Order Car, not only did they "Special Order" a Clock instead of a Tach. it also appears that they special ordered the Std. with Jet Thrust; Power Shift Trans. be replaced with a H.D. Flight-O-Matic!

AND, it's a '64 so all Std. orders for Jet Thrust Equipment would include a Tach. unless some rare order was placed without it like this one.

I think when many of us, myself included refer to Always, Never, All, Std. usually we are talking about NORMAL issue Cars, not oddball special order stuff like the One-off 1956 Golden Hawk, the only one in the World that Palma Studebaker "Extra, Super, Special Ordered" with a "not available" LEATHER Interior that was not even normal Special orderable!

[Bordeaux Daytona]

That's right, I forgot about that, it did have a HD flight-o-matic. Also a split bench seat.