I bought it!!!!

[showbizkid]

Well, I did it... bought the '63 Lark!

After doing the spark plug check as outlined here, I'm pretty sure that the bottom-end knock is the flex plate and not a rod. Pulling the plugs did not cause the knock to stop or appreciably change quality; oil pressure started out reading 65 lbs. cold and leveled off at about 45-50 during driving, which really makes me believe it's not a rod bearing. I also dropped the trans into low and stood on it a couple of times, and the engine pulls really hard.

Here's pics:


As you can see, it's been dechromed. Pretty clean looking!


Here's a bonus I didn't notice at first! Twin-Trac! Awesome


Side view shows all the dechroming. The "V8" insignia on the sail panel isn't right, is it? You can really see how straight the body is in this view. I like the look of the Cragars too, but the tires are way too big - almost no clearance to the fender lips.


Finally, the rear end. I'll be needing a trunk lock

I got it for $3300. Recent work includes a brake job, a Pertronix ignition, dual exhaust (cherry bombs) and a fancy new radio of some sort (which means that the dash has been cut... urgh).

I'm sure I'll be bugging you with lots of dumb noob questions since this is my first Stude Thanks for all your help so far!

[Dick Steinkamp]

Sweet! [^]

[stude53]

Hey,Clark

Looks like a winner!

Congrats on your new ride.

Bob (stude53)

[rockne10]

I had a good feeling about this when I saw your first post. I wish I could have started with one that rust free.

[jcarmichael]

Very well bought I would say!

1961 Lark

[N8N]

that is a sweet looking car! Hope that it is the flexplate but honestly, even if I had to throw a new crank in it i wouldn't feel shafted. If it is the flexplate don't stand on it too many times otherwise it could shear completely (less of an issue with a round flexplate like Stude uses rather than an "eared" one like a MoPar but still...) and then you will be walking. Also check the crank endplay just to be safe. good luck and enjoy it!

BTW, pretty much ALL tires are too big for a Lark; even the stock ones will rub Solution seems to be not to use full lock...

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[JDP]

Great car, and a better price. evan if it needs engine work, you won't get hurt.

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
Studebaker News Group

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.autos.studebaker

64 Daytona HT
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Black
63 R2 4 speed GT White
63 GT Hawk
63 Avanti
62 Daytona HT
53 Coupe

[studegary]

That looks like quite a buy and a nice car to start with. Since you asked; the "V8" on the C-pillar is incorrect, the "TT" on the grille is incorrect and the tail lights are incorrect. What does the body tag state? It may have been a Standard model that had very little chrome originally.

Gary L.
1954 Commander Starliner (restomod)
1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[rockne10]

I guess now we want to know the VIN and body tag numbers.

You should probably get a build sheet from the Studebaker National Museum to see if the car has been altered; nothing wrong with that if properly done.

As Gary indicated, if the car has Twin Traction, the emblem should be on the trunk and the 63 tailights had a plastic chrome spoked web attached.

[showbizkid]

I'll be bringing the car home tomorrow and will post VIN and tag then. Thanks for all the nice comments - makes me feel even better about the deal

Clark

Proud new owner of a '63 Lark!

[Roscomacaw]

Looks good![:0] As Gary said, read us that body tag from the firewall. Would be interesting if this was a "Standard" to start with. There's not many of those still around.

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

[BobPalma]

Clark: Nice car indeed! [}]
StudeBob: I'm betting it is a neutered Regal and not a Standard, but we'll see. Reasons: Stainless-steel around windshield and backlight; it would have been highly unusual for anyone to have gone to the trouble of adding those to a Standard. Also, original-type engine logo on lower left side of grille, not used on Standards. 'Hard to see the interior for sure, but it LOOKS like the dash might be straight all the way across; no "hump" for the Standard's drop-in glove box/bin. And, of course, no Studebaker logos on front fenders.
Admittedly, the car has been subject to some "interpretation," but I'll still bet it's an F4...or even an F6...and not an F2 (originally).
Cute car, and a mover with a V-8. BP

[avantilover]

quote:Originally posted by BobPalma

Clark: Nice car indeed! [}]
StudeBob: I'm betting it is a neutered Regal and not a Standard, but we'll see. Reasons: Stainless-steel around windshield and backlight; it would have been highly unusual for anyone to have gone to the trouble of adding those to a Standard. Also, original-type engine logo on lower left side of grille, not used on Standards. 'Hard to see the interior for sure, but it LOOKS like the dash might be straight all the way across; no "hump" for the Standard's drop-in glove box/bin. And, of course, no Studebaker logos on front fenders.
Admittedly, the car has been subject to some "interpretation," but I'll still bet it's an F4...or even an F6...and not an F2 (originally).
Cute car, and a mover with a V-8. BP

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the significance of the F4; F2; F6 identification?

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!

[BobPalma]

"F" is the body style; 2-door sedan. ("J" is a 2-door harrdtop with no center post)
The numbers 2,4,6 denote trim level:
F2 is the cheapest trim level in 1963: 2-door Standard
F3 is reserved for heavy-duty commercial and fleet vehicles; not generally sold to the public.
F4 is Lark Regal trim (1963 we are talking about)
F3 is Lark Custom trim; again, 1963. BP

[showbizkid]

Well, it does indeed appear to be a Standard!

Cowl tag reads:

63V-F2
204

VIN tag reads:

63V24795

I just brought it home. The 5-mile drive was quite an adventure! Lots of squeaks and rattles from the front and rear suspension, but the trans shifted well even up some steep hills, and I found that if I kept the revs up at stoplights, the knock disappeared - seems co-incident with loading the torque converter, so I'm sticking with the cracked flex-plate theory.

The "stainless" trim around the windshield and backlight is actually plain rubber - just looks shiny in the photos. And the dashboard looks flat because someone installed pleated vinyl across the entire dash - even across the glove box door! I gues I'll get to that soon enough.

Oh boy... here we go!



---------------------------
Clark in San Diego:

Proud new owner of a '63 Lark!