Considering the purchase of a 1963 Lark Daytona convertible, originally 6-cylinder, now with a 259

[Milaca]

A club member near St. Louis has a 1963 Daytona convertible (originally a 6-cylinder) that has been upgraded to a 259 V8 engine.
I have not seen the car in person, but the owner says that the springs and brakes have been upgraded to a V8 car (but I assume that the frame is original to the 6-cylinder).
Is this lighter-gage frame a major concern/issue? Thank you

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

All convertibles had the same heavy gauge frame whether six cylinder or V-8 equipped.

[Milaca]

I am very happy to hear that. Thank you

[StudeRich]

On a Convertible, it's the FLOORS, Front, Rear and Trunk, that you need to see!

[Milaca]

On a Convertible, it's the FLOORS, Front, Rear and Trunk, that you need to see!

I agree as I am very familiar with Lark convertibles. I was simply unaware (or perhaps had forgotten) that both 6 and 8-cylinder cars had the same gage frame.

[Hallabutt]

One picture and I'm sold-buy it!

[Dick Steinkamp]

It would be nice if the rear end was updated to a V8 one also (Dana 44) ...but probably not essential.

Pretty car!

[Milaca]

Agreed, I haven't yet asked if it was updated.

[BobPalma]

It would be nice if the rear end was updated to a V8 one also (Dana 44) ...but probably not essential.

Pretty car!

True, Dick, but remember; the car was refitted with a 259 V-8 engine. Those cars with 259s had Model 27 rear ends, the same as a Six. So unless a 289 was installed, a Model 27 would have been in it, had it been built as a 259-V8 car. (Both my 1964 Daytona convertible and sedan had Model 27 axles behind their 259 engines.)

OTOH, all station wagons, even sixes, got Model 44 axles!

Milaca is advised to keep his foot out of it and drive reasonably sane for a Model 27 to last behind a 259.

Yes, a pretty car. BP

[Dick Steinkamp]

Good point, Bob. Thanks for the reminder.

[mbstude]

Larks with a 259 (the exception is station wagons) came with a Dana 27 rear axle.

Stay away from the drag strips and you’ll be fine.

[Blue 15G]

I agree with all the above. In 1982 I bought a '60 Lark Convertible that was originally a 6 cylinder. The previous owner replaced the 6 with a 259 V-8. He didn't change the rear axle. I had the car for several years and the conversion didn't cause any problems mechanically. It sure took off nice with those 4:56 gears and thanks to being Overdrive equipped the gas mileage was decent too.

[Warren Webb]

When I got my 62 convertible I ordered from Newman & Altman another 27 axle with twin traction. This was in 1988 and being re-introduced to Studebakers after a 20 year siesta. Hindsight being 20-20 I now wish it had been a 44 but why cry over spilled milk!

[Milaca]

I requested some additional photos of areas that are rust prone but have not received a reply. I will likely not be pursuing this car any further.

[BobPalma]

To clarify, the weak links in 27 rear ends are the spider [side] gears. They are subject to breakage if the car is accelerated hard while cornering...an extreme example would be doing doughnuts in a snow-covered parking lot for fun.

In a straight line or normal cornering without hard acceleration, they'll be OK behind a 259. BP

[Hallabutt]

Try to get whatever history you can from the previous owners. I have two 62 convertibles myself both or which are rust free, which were originally sold in the SW. The most significant part of their lives they have been garaged in the PNW. Bragging right s aside, a documented history can go a long way when an owner trys to sell the car.

I realize that it's a long shot, but I was just wondering if I might know the car. There is a car with which I was very familiar, which was sold five or six years ago by a friend, who had resold it after purchasing it from another dear friend. It was sold as an original 6cyl car with a V8 parts car, or with the drive train to make the conversion. I am quite sure that the car was sold to someone who lived in the area where you purchased it. My familiarity with that car had gone back for over 40 years. I hate to loose track of my of my friends!

[Hallabutt]

Congratulations-what a great find! After looking at the photos and reading the anecdotal history that, it is unlikely that it is the same car. The car that I knew was red, and unless it has had a complete makeover, it seems unlikely that it's the same car.

[mbstude]

Congratulations-what a great find! After looking at the photos and reading the anecdotal history that, it is unlikely that it is the same car. The car that I knew was red, and unless it has had a complete makeover, it seems unlikely that it's the same car.

That '63 6 cylinder convertible from the Seattle area now lives in Colorado. It's been undergoing restoration and was repainted the same Regal Red. The current owner kept the OHV 6 but he is swapping the automatic transmission for a 3 speed OD setup.

[Hallabutt]

Thanks Matt! Nice to know that the old friend is getting some much deserved love.