Any idea why Stude never offered power windows in any of the Larks, etc.?

[StudeRich]

There was an article in Turning Wheels a few years back about a dealer installed setup that could be added to Studebakers. It might have been about Champ trucks. I'll have to check my index.

It was sold by AMT, the same company that made model car kits and promos.
I bought one of these setups off of ebay. It had a different companies name on a sticker covering where it had said AMT so they must have sold it off.

I think it looks like a white box that contains a motor with switches on the drivers side that control both sides and there's another switch on the right side unit. It screws on outside the door panel to the regulator where the crank whould have been but requires a couple of holes drilled in the door panel to keep it from rotating. There's various plastic adapters to fit different vehicle's window cranks./Cut/

I believe that kit may have been sold by J.C. Whitney.

[56H-Y6]

Mr. Bill has a point.

Plus people might have come into a showroom and drooled over that nice Cruiser with all the goodies early 60's tech could give it... and then drive out in new more basic car.

They could have also come out with a real luxury package... how about a factory Cruiser with R1, powershift, FM radio, leather, AC, power windows, disk brakes, all the cool goodies Studebaker could have thrown at it. Maybe call it a President Cruiser.

I don't know how many they would have sold but I bet it would have gotten some attention, and would certainly be a very collectable car today!

Gentlemen

You both make a good point, something one would expect President Egbert would have siezed upon to help differentiate the Lark Cruiser from others. A fully-equipped President Cruiser model, built in batch production runs, finished and trimmed in conservative colors, could have grabbed attention especially if the price was very attractive relative to the a la carte optioning that was then the norm.
This approach served AMC quite well in 1968 when they made hay of their Ambassador coming with air conditioning as standard.
BTW: does anyone remember the '68 Ambassador commercial with a young Robert DeNiro playing Joey? If so, is it available on-line?

Steve

[Bordeaux Daytona]

I believe that kit may have been sold by J.C. Whitney.

That could be. I have a copy of a J.C. Whitney catalog from 1964, I should look and see if it's in there.
I have to check my index yet for that article.
I found my power window kit tonight. It's from Windo-Lift Corporation. On the instructions it has a silver label that covers up where it said AMT.
There's various adapters but no mention of Studebaker in the instructions. Maybe one of them fits.
Here's a few pictures.

[Bordeaux Daytona]

A few pictures of the instructions.

[Bordeaux Daytona]

The rest.......

[mbstude]

Stephen Cade emailed me this:

Howdy Matthew,
I can't post, but you can inform the group if you'd like. Studebaker built a 1962 Cruiser with 4 power windows, for a local rabbi. I saw the car at Newman & Altman and Dennis saved the doors. The build sheet said send to engineering for power windows. Stephen.

[Mr. Bill]

I believe the 62 Cruiser in Matthew's post must have been the car Mr. Palma mentioned in a post sometime back.

Mr. Bill
Hamlet, NC

[Milaca]

I have a 1963 Lark Daytona with an original power window....but it's the tailgate window (Wagonaire).

[StudeMichael]

Why can't Stephen post? It would be great to have him on here Matthew.

[8E45E]

Stephen Cade emailed me this: Studebaker built a 1962 Cruiser with 4 power windows, for a local rabbi. I saw the car at Newman & Altman and Dennis saved the doors. The build sheet said send to engineering for power windows. Stephen.[/B]

It would not have been too difficult to install power windows in a Lark up until 1962. The window regulators were no doubt the same as the 1955-1/2 to 1958's when power windows were offered, and existing 'old' stock was probably used. It would be the thin-pillar 1963 & later models where major modification would have been necessary to make a different regulator where the motor would be inside the door, and not mounted on the door panel like many of the aftermarket ones.

Craig

[Bordeaux Daytona]

Here's a few pictures of an aftermarket one I took off a car because one of the motors gave out.
The name on it is SPAL and it has a Lazy S on it, it's reversed on the other side.
John

[JoeHall]

There is a company in NC called "Nu Relics" that makes power windows for about every car ever made, including 1953-64 C&K Studes. I installed a set in a 56J about six years ago, and have grown spoiled with the convenience. The kit is a bolt in, and includes everything needed. It works great, but moves slower than the the OEM power windows I had in another 56J. It costs $425 still for the kit, but includes control switches that look more 1980s vintage. The guy has the retro looking switches that look very similar to Stude OEM, but he sells them seperately, for about $125, IIRC.
The guy vends at the Louisville, KY Street Rod Nationals every year. I just talked to him a there couple of weeks ago.
Joe H

[Steve D.]

My 1958 Studebaker built Packard 2dr Hardtop had factory power windows.

[8E45E]

My 1958 Studebaker built Packard 2dr Hardtop had factory power windows.

All four? Or only the fronts?

I did see a '58 Packard J-body with all four power windows; which is the only one I've ever seen.

Craig

[StudeRich]

My 1958 Studebaker built Packard 2dr Hardtop had factory power windows.

Quite a fw 1955 to 1958's were special ordered with the optional Power Windows, mostly Sedans however.

The Lark Series Studes. were a Low cost Compact Car, not really the Market for "expensive" goodies like these usually only found on Luxury Cars of the Era.

The Full Size Cars and Packards were Gone, so there was no longer any need.