tail lights

[studegary]

1961 Lark tail light lenses have been reproduced. This was a number of years ago and they have been sold out. The reproductions looked good, but did not have the metal grommet in them. As long as you didn't tighten the screw, they were fine.

My reason for mentioning this is that the tooling to make these reproduction lenses probably exists. If someone could locate this post-Studebaker tooling, I think that the price of the new reproductions would be less.

Even though I like 1961 Larks, I agree that the demand for replacement lenses would be VERY low (at any reasonable price). I think that the previous run of reproduction lenses were sold out to people that were still using 1961 Larks as their everyday driver. There are VERY few 1961 Larks that fall into the everyday driver category now.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[studegary]

1961 Lark tail light lenses have been reproduced. This was a number of years ago and they have been sold out. The reproductions looked good, but did not have the metal grommet in them. As long as you didn't tighten the screw, they were fine.

My reason for mentioning this is that the tooling to make these reproduction lenses probably exists. If someone could locate this post-Studebaker tooling, I think that the price of the new reproductions would be less.

Even though I like 1961 Larks, I agree that the demand for replacement lenses would be VERY low (at any reasonable price). I think that the previous run of reproduction lenses were sold out to people that were still using 1961 Larks as their everyday driver. There are VERY few 1961 Larks that fall into the everyday driver category now.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

1959 DeLuxe pickup (restomod)

[52hawk]

drnittler-- A thread about using 59-60 Lenses on a 61 was started by 'studegib' a while back. Go to the upper right hand corner of this forum and click 'search'-type in: '61 lark taillight lens'.. You can use the older units,but they aren't 'correct' for your '61.
I bought 1960 lenses NOS from SASCO-cheap!last winter.

LaSalle,Il
61Hawk

[52hawk]

drnittler-- A thread about using 59-60 Lenses on a 61 was started by 'studegib' a while back. Go to the upper right hand corner of this forum and click 'search'-type in: '61 lark taillight lens'.. You can use the older units,but they aren't 'correct' for your '61.
I bought 1960 lenses NOS from SASCO-cheap!last winter.

LaSalle,Il
61Hawk

[cstude1]

Based on the 1962-1963 Lark tail lenses project, I suggest.
I can have the 1961 tail lenses made just as nice with the rivet/grommet
in them.
I will need 200 pairs pre ordered at $120.00 per pair to proceed. This is a break even point. 1500 units are required for production.
I do not think this requirement will be met.
chuck@studebakerparts.com
Let me know,
Chuck

[cstude1]

Based on the 1962-1963 Lark tail lenses project, I suggest.
I can have the 1961 tail lenses made just as nice with the rivet/grommet
in them.
I will need 200 pairs pre ordered at $120.00 per pair to proceed. This is a break even point. 1500 units are required for production.
I do not think this requirement will be met.
chuck@studebakerparts.com
Let me know,
Chuck

[52 Ragtop]

Yep, the cost involved in re popping something is UNREAL! and for a limited market it's worse. Seems like when I was putting my 62 ragtop together, good tail light lenses were non exsistant. Now that Chuck has them, (and after I found 2 NOS ones) sure looks like a lot of NOS tail lights are coming out of the woodwork. Just my observation.
Chuck tail lights are VERY nice and fairly price too! If you don't think so, go buy a tail light for a new car!

Jim

[52 Ragtop]

Yep, the cost involved in re popping something is UNREAL! and for a limited market it's worse. Seems like when I was putting my 62 ragtop together, good tail light lenses were non exsistant. Now that Chuck has them, (and after I found 2 NOS ones) sure looks like a lot of NOS tail lights are coming out of the woodwork. Just my observation.
Chuck tail lights are VERY nice and fairly price too! If you don't think so, go buy a tail light for a new car!

Jim

[N8N]

It's not that I won't pony up the money, I sold my car! Don't blame me!

Now if someone would repop the 55-56 C-K taillight housings... those are what I need now.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[N8N]

It's not that I won't pony up the money, I sold my car! Don't blame me!

Now if someone would repop the 55-56 C-K taillight housings... those are what I need now.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by gordr
And no, I'm not proposing that SDC should start selling "indulgences" for people to install SBCs

Darn it!

[)]

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by gordr
And no, I'm not proposing that SDC should start selling "indulgences" for people to install SBCs

Darn it!

[)]

[gordr]

You know, Studebaker made whole lot of '47 to '49 cars, which had tail lights in a chrome housing that wrapped around the corner of the car, very much like the '61 lens does. I see those units at the swaps all the time.

Maybe someone could fabricate an adaptor plate or shim to fit postwar-body tail lights onto '61 quarters. They'd look very nice on a lark, IMHO.

Now, to open a REAL can of worms. How about putting this, and a few other select and appropriate modifications on an SDC "approved" list, provided the car owner buys a certificate from SDC for a nominal sum (say $5.00). This certificate would annul authenticity points deductions for the specific modification, except in the case where the car is in contention for best of division or best of show. Maybe we could call such certificates "SDC Service Letters" and issue them on Studebaker letterhead, but clearly marked with the current date.

And no, I'm not proposing that SDC should start selling "indulgences" for people to install SBCs or Toyota bucket seats, merely a means to "legitimize" the replacement of a few unobtainium parts with a standardized substitute. It's something the factory would have done, had the need arisen while they were still doing business, after all.

Well, it's the kernel of an idea, anyway.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[gordr]

You know, Studebaker made whole lot of '47 to '49 cars, which had tail lights in a chrome housing that wrapped around the corner of the car, very much like the '61 lens does. I see those units at the swaps all the time.

Maybe someone could fabricate an adaptor plate or shim to fit postwar-body tail lights onto '61 quarters. They'd look very nice on a lark, IMHO.

Now, to open a REAL can of worms. How about putting this, and a few other select and appropriate modifications on an SDC "approved" list, provided the car owner buys a certificate from SDC for a nominal sum (say $5.00). This certificate would annul authenticity points deductions for the specific modification, except in the case where the car is in contention for best of division or best of show. Maybe we could call such certificates "SDC Service Letters" and issue them on Studebaker letterhead, but clearly marked with the current date.

And no, I'm not proposing that SDC should start selling "indulgences" for people to install SBCs or Toyota bucket seats, merely a means to "legitimize" the replacement of a few unobtainium parts with a standardized substitute. It's something the factory would have done, had the need arisen while they were still doing business, after all.

Well, it's the kernel of an idea, anyway.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[JDP]

Reproducing Lark parts is pretty much a losing deal on most parts. I know Phantom Auto and me deal with it every day. He knows that Studebaker owners won't spend 3K plus to do the interior on most Larks so he sends some to me, then I get the "XXX dollars ?", that's more then I paid for the car." comment

JDP/Maryland
64 Daytona HT/R2 clone
64 GT R2
63 GT R2
63 Lark 2 door
59 3E truck
58 Starlight
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander