Tail Light Lenses

[jcarmichael]

Today I washed my 61 Lark and the tail light lens fell off in my hand. I Mcgivered it back together with cellaphane tape and glue so I can still drive it but don't think it will last long. I can buy new lenses for a 59 / 60 Lark which look close but does anyone know what I need to do to make them fit?

1961 Lark

[rockne10]

If the lens isn't broken then I assume the screws rusted off or the screw holes in the fixture have rusted out; need more clinical information. Did the lens break and the screws and fixture are still good?

[jcarmichael]

The lens broke but the fixture and screws are still good. I was wondering if I could just screw the other lenses on to the old fixtures.

1961 Lark

[gordr]

quote:Originally posted by jcarmichael

The lens broke but the fixture and screws are still good. I was wondering if I could just screw the other lenses on to the old fixtures.

1961 Lark

Close, but no cigar

Unfortunately, the '61 Lark tail lights are a one-year-only design. At first glance, it LOOKS like '59 or '60 lenses will fit, but the profile is different. Apparently you can make the entire early assembly fit the '61 quarter panel, but I've never tried it myself.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[jcarmichael]

Thanks, I ordered the lenses from Sasco and I will run up to the wrecking yard on Meridian to see if I can find the base fixtures.

1961 Lark

[Roscomacaw]

Yeah, the screw orientation of the '61 lenses is differrent. Really goofy, when you think about it. Given that the sheet metal these fixtures mount to is the same as the 59-60 Larks, WHY waste money on new bodies when making the 61 lens fit THEM as well would've sufficed???[B)]
It's a mystery much like the left and right parking lite fixtures on the 64-66 Larks. With these, there's SO LITTLE difference that you have to LOOK CLOSE to discern which one's left or right![:0] Given Studebaker's limited finances - and frugal nature - why waste money making tooling for TWO when one would have sufficed???[V]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[klifton1]

Isn't bulb location different between the 61 and the 59&60 tail lites, so the hole in the bodies are not in the same place ?
Klif

[Roscomacaw]

You are correct, klifton.[:I]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[52hawk]

quote:Originally posted by Mr.Biggs

Yeah, the screw orientation of the '61 lenses is differrent. Really goofy, when you think about it. Given that the sheet metal these fixtures mount to is the same as the 59-60 Larks, WHY waste money on new bodies when making the 61 lens fit THEM as well would've sufficed???[B)]
It's a mystery much like the left and right parking lite fixtures on the 64-66 Larks. With these, there's SO LITTLE difference that you have to LOOK CLOSE to discern which one's left or right![:0] Given Studebaker's limited finances - and frugal nature - why waste money making tooling for TWO when one would have sufficed???[V]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

Maybe a bit of 'planned obsolescence'-???

LaSalle,Il
61Hawk
60Lark