hello all... newbie alert

[Roscomacaw]

Welcome, geoff! I like the Cruisers (they were all 4-doors, by the way[^])and '61 was the first year of that name. They'd had a "Land Cruiser" model from after WWII until 1954. Then, 55 thru 58, the upscale, long wheelbase cars were called President State. But in '61 (after a 2-year hiatus) they re-intro'd the long wheelbase, top-of-the-line offering as the Crusier.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Welcome, geoff! I like the Cruisers (they were all 4-doors, by the way[^])and '61 was the first year of that name. They'd had a "Land Cruiser" model from after WWII until 1954. Then, 55 thru 58, the upscale, long wheelbase cars were called President State. But in '61 (after a 2-year hiatus) they re-intro'd the long wheelbase, top-of-the-line offering as the Crusier.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[studeclunker]

Geoff, that's no beast. She's a lady.[:X] Perhaps an old lady, but a sweet old lady all the same. Be good to her and you'll reap ten times what you put into her (figuratively speaking). For a forty-six year old survivor, she looks pretty good.[:X] Rather odd though. The original owner bought a top of the line car and was too cheap to get the radio and upgraded seats. Go figure...[)]


Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[studeclunker]

Geoff, that's no beast. She's a lady.[:X] Perhaps an old lady, but a sweet old lady all the same. Be good to her and you'll reap ten times what you put into her (figuratively speaking). For a forty-six year old survivor, she looks pretty good.[:X] Rather odd though. The original owner bought a top of the line car and was too cheap to get the radio and upgraded seats. Go figure...[)]


Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by vespa4

So we picked up a 4-door 1961 Lark Cruiser in original condition recently and since I am new to old cars, I am sure to have a lot of questions so bear with me.

fuel tank has been flushed, new fuel pump, radiator is flushed but had a hole in it, oil pump is cleaned, transmission is clean and the carb has been rebuilt. it runs well and yard drives, so next on my list is check brakes and bearings. replace brake lines, replace the tires and add a new exhaust.

i am still poking around here looking for resources and best replacement parts so any advice or things i overlooked would be appreciated. i could also use one uber-hard-to-get tail light lens and chrome ring for this car. thanks much and i'm glad i found this forum!

A '61 Cruiser is a great car- comfortable, well-built, reasonably economical. Personally I think Lark quality was at its highest point in '61 and '62. Of course, I'm biased. My first new car and first Studebaker was a '61 Cruiser.



[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by vespa4

So we picked up a 4-door 1961 Lark Cruiser in original condition recently and since I am new to old cars, I am sure to have a lot of questions so bear with me.

fuel tank has been flushed, new fuel pump, radiator is flushed but had a hole in it, oil pump is cleaned, transmission is clean and the carb has been rebuilt. it runs well and yard drives, so next on my list is check brakes and bearings. replace brake lines, replace the tires and add a new exhaust.

i am still poking around here looking for resources and best replacement parts so any advice or things i overlooked would be appreciated. i could also use one uber-hard-to-get tail light lens and chrome ring for this car. thanks much and i'm glad i found this forum!

A '61 Cruiser is a great car- comfortable, well-built, reasonably economical. Personally I think Lark quality was at its highest point in '61 and '62. Of course, I'm biased. My first new car and first Studebaker was a '61 Cruiser.



[img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/R-4.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64L.JPG[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/64P.jpg[/img=right][img=right]http://www.frontiernet.net/~thejohnsons/Forum%20signature%20pix/53K.jpg[/img=right]Paul Johnson
'53 Commander Starliner (since 1966)
'64 Daytona Wagonaire (original owner)
'64 Daytona Convertible (2006)
Museum R-4 engine

[studegary]

Your '61 Cruiser appears to be Jade Green. If you look for the engine number, you will know if you have the standard 259 or the optional 289. A V is for 259 and a P for 289 (in 1961). The engine number is STAMPED on the top, left, front of the block.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[studegary]

Your '61 Cruiser appears to be Jade Green. If you look for the engine number, you will know if you have the standard 259 or the optional 289. A V is for 259 and a P for 289 (in 1961). The engine number is STAMPED on the top, left, front of the block.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[8E45E]

Rather odd though. The original owner bought a top of the line car and was too cheap to get the radio and upgraded seats. Go figure

Many years ago, I had a '61 Cruiser that was rather plain for what it was, no radio, reclining seats, etc. It only had a 259 with an automatic. I parted the car out as it rusted quite bad, though I perhaps shouldn't have been so hasty in doing so once I realized just how rare '61 Cruisers actually are.[B)]

Craig.

[8E45E]

Rather odd though. The original owner bought a top of the line car and was too cheap to get the radio and upgraded seats. Go figure

Many years ago, I had a '61 Cruiser that was rather plain for what it was, no radio, reclining seats, etc. It only had a 259 with an automatic. I parted the car out as it rusted quite bad, though I perhaps shouldn't have been so hasty in doing so once I realized just how rare '61 Cruisers actually are.[B)]

Craig.

[vespa4]

hey gary, its a beautiful sounding 259. "V513903"

[vespa4]

hey gary, its a beautiful sounding 259. "V513903"