1966 Cruiser in Lexington NC

[bob.c]

Hi folks, haven't posted in awhile but here is a question:
Does anyone know about this car?
[url][http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...06.c0.m245url]

There have been 17 bids but the price has not soared to the clouds.... Is the owner a forum or SDC member?
Thanks! bob.c

[glen]

Hi Bob,
I saw that one too......though I don't know anything about it, but the
comment that the seller makes, just after he mentions that the motor
is a Chevy 283..."kinda of funny, as it will set the right rear on fire."

I wonder what that is all about????

glen
Nowhere, AZ
"Freedom Through Vigilance"

[65cruiser]

I've never heard of this Cruiser and it's not in the registry. Judging by the wording, sounds like a non-SDC member.

Mark Anderson
Member SDC and FMCA
Keeper of the Studebaker Cruiser Registry

https://www.65cruiser.com

[lstude]

I hope he didn't "set the rear tire on fire" too many times.

He should set the front tire on an air pump!


Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[showbizkid]

Love the heater shut-off valve! Installed, no doubt, by a member of the Satanic Plumbers Union Local 666 (inside joke for NY residents)...


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 F2/Lark Standard

http://studeblogger.blogspot.com

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

[bob.c]

Yeah, I showed that valve to my wife and she said it looked like the yard hose valve! A HomeDepot special... I just sent in a question, to see if he was just joking about the output of the T-bolt motor, and stomping on the gas lit one tire up... That doesn't mean a differential problem? Or isn't that what Twin Traction was meant for, especially on slippery surfaces? Just noticed that the right front tire is getting flat; may be old tires also. The price still isn't too bad, and I could get it here to Jax FL easily enough. Not today though; we are int eh middle of Tropical Storm Fay and the wind and rain are pounding us; gotta check on the Ark now! bob.c

[Studeman]

I live within 25 miles of this car (but have never seen it B4).. would be willing to check it out for anyone interested.

Ray


Specializing in Studebaker Restoration

[bob.c]

Got an answer back from the seller, biggs7453, who said that he could easily get a squeal out of the right rear tire, with the brakes on and a slight tap on the gas. So nothing dramatic. Studeman, I'll check with my wife and get back to you tomorrow, on the possible visit to the seller. Thanks! bob.c

[bams50]

I can't believe somebody didn't think enough of that nice looking car to take an air tank to thet tire[}] But I did grin to see the guy's name is "slappy" Based on that name alone, he's someone I'd like to meet[)]

Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"It was the last chance for Studebaker to turn things around. The company was down to its last bullet, and this new small car was it. They called it the Lark"

[Mark57]

Someone may luck out and get a good deal... (if it does not go too far above the current $1200).

<h5>Mark
'57 Transtar Deluxe
Vancouver Island

Are you planning to attend the NW Overdrive Tour in Parksville, BC
May 23 & 24, 2009?</h5>

[StudeDave57]

Is it just me, or does that engine picture look like something is a tad amiss under that hood [?] [?] [?]
I see the upper radiator hose going to the intake madifold, but I also see what looks like a water inlet (T-stat housing) with nothing attached to it... WHAT GIVES?!?!?!?!

StudeDave '57 [8D]
San Diego, Ca.
San Diego County SDC

https://www.studebakersandiego.com

'54 Commander Regal 4dr 'Ruby'
'57 Parkview 'Betsy' (she's a 2dr wagon...)
'57 Commander DeLuxe 2dr 'Baby'
'57 Champion Custom 2dr 'Jewel'
'58 Packard sedan 'Cleo'
'65 Cruiser 'Sweet Pea'

Part owner of the one and only
'55 PROTOTYPE panel van

[Studeman]

I called Cris about his car as soon as I posted my response here. Linda and I went to look at it early last evening. It's 17 miles from our house. When we got there, Cris had it hooked to a battery charger, and had just installed a Holly double-pumper (750 I think).. He says
the carb that was on it needs rebuilt, and he just had this one on the shelf in his garage.. Cris is a car-nut... and fairly knowledgeable about his preferred make. He traded for this car simply because he thought it was interesting, and it had the Chevy engine. His plan was to pull the motor and perhaps drop a 6-banger in it. But after looking the car over, getting it running, etc... he thought it would be better to leave the car as-is and have someone into Studebakers do something with it. There was the issue of "project-time" that all car-nuts go through...

The car itself is pretty decent. Above average for an unrestored original car in this area. IMO- It is too far along for a show car or local meet restoration, but would make a nice 1st car, or daily-driver for someone that likes to piddle around and fix one while driving it. It is very nicely optioned with Power Disc Brakes, Power Steering, Clock, AM-Radio, Flanged rear axle(all Cruisers had 44's), and it's a Cruiser...

It started instantly.. idles nice..didn't appear to smoke, but I didn't get to drive it (flat tire). In talking with Cris- he was very forthcoming and honest about the car, and I believe his description of the transmission shifting OK and the brakes stopping good. He has NOT driven it on the road... so take that into consideration. I respect him for deciding the car should go to a Studebaker enthusiast and not be robbed of parts.

Paint- The paint is a very amateur job, painted a few years ago and left to the elements- probably a 40-footer... because they just painted over rust and dents, and didn't mask off any chrome. They did remove the side-trim and it's in the trunk. It looks really sad without the trim on it... but it doesn't appear to have been wrecked or seriously damaged anywhere. There is a dent in the rear panel that bugs me- because it would have been so easy to fix before paint.

It has rust in ALL the typical areas. The front fenders have rust top-to-bottom, and I would replace them. They can be fixed... but you'd never get them to last very long unless garaged and only driven occasionally... and BLACK shows everything..
The floors are above average with rust at the corners of the kick-panels (tennis-ball size), and between the front seat underfloor bracing. I think all of this could be easily repaired (to be a driver) in a few hours with a grinder, wire brush, POR-15 and some fiberglass mat. Maybe even weld in a couple patch panels if you have the equipment and skills. I didn't find any major structural rust. Over-all the floorpan is good.
The trunk has rust in both corners... I would put metal back in- simply because I like those trunk-corners to be solid. The heavy brace underneath is solid- but the sheet-metal floor needs attention. The center of the trunk is fine..

The doors are good- I didn't find any rust-through in the bottoms, and they appear straight and fit OK.

The trunklid is good, with no serious rust at the rear lower lip (where they typically rust at the seam).

The hood is the same...

Interior- AWFUL! Everything needs replaced. I don't think you could save any of it. This is both Good and Bad at the same time.. It's Good because you'd probably tear it out and replace it anyway (you're not paying for a decent interior and then throwing it away)... The good is that Door panels are easy to find in good shape (and NOS)... and the seat-bases are in good condition to re-cover. This is a good candidate for a set of JP's covers and carpet. It would also be a good time for a color-change.. I'm not a big fan of Black w/Blue. But..YMMV...

Weatherstrip- All needs replaced

Dash- One large crack at the radio-and a 3" spot where it looks like someone hit it with the heel of their hand

[Scott]

"needs rebuilt"?????

[Studeman]

quote:Originally posted by Scott

"needs rebuilt"?????

In reference to what? The carb that WAS on it???
The Holley 750 doesn't go with the car... Cris was just "experimenting" with the 750 when I got there. The Carb that WAS on the car- and goes WITH the car- is also a Holley and Cris thinks THAT CARB needs rebuilt to run right. It runs with it... but he says "not very well".
Of course- I did not get to run the car with THAT carb... so I suggested you bring a KNOWN-GOOD carb with you or plan to rebuild/replace it if you purchase the car.


Specializing in Studebaker Restoration

[lexmale43]

As an aside to this whole topic, the winner can seek me out for parts from my mostly complete 66 Cruiser that I am parting out in Lawrenceburg KY.

small part of Studebaker heaven in Central Kentucky