New to Studebakers - just bought a 1963 Lark

[ADent]

Hello. I've owned a few old cars but never a Studebaker. I have always liked the look of the later Lark so I bought one at an auction on a whim (or a lark I suppose). My thoughts here are a budget fix up and summer cruiser for the family.

Its a Canadian built car with the 259 cid V8 engine and automatic.

The auction site said running and driving car. The automatic makes some odd noises however. I hope just due low fluid.



Apparently had registration two years ago.



Interior not bad. Hopefully usable with a clean and a few fixes. Will need a windshield.



Some cobwebs. The missing air cleaner and hub cap. Plus a "bonus" pillow.

Its had a repaint and as per usual looks a bit better in photos than person. But I am excited to get this one back on the road.

[NCDave51]

Fantastic ADent - welcome to Studebakers and this fantastic Forum, courtesy of the SDC.

My first Studebaker was in early 2018, after years with other marques, orphans and otherwise. Now with my third, it doesn’t take long for the connection to take hold.

Studebaker has a great history, great engineering and completely distinctive style!

[abkco]

interesting car. Looks straight. Funny it has 62 taillights and a 66 dash. have fun with it.

[StudeRich]

Welcome to the SDC and to the SDC Forum Dave!

The Complete Interior, Door Panels and Seats are what was used in South Bend '63 Lark "Custom" Models the Top of the 4 Door Sedan Line right below the "Studebaker Cruiser", not a Lark (technically).
What seems Odd is it does not have the Exterior Trim a USA Custom had, it COULD just be a "Canadian thing".

Then again we already know this Lark has "Mods" like the Complete '66 Model Instrument Cluster and Panel (Not the Dash) ,'62 Wheel Covers and '62 Tail Light Lenses, so who knows what else.

But what really matters is, the Car seems like a Driver.
Some Type "F" ATF or some New Rear Engine Mounts and or a Throttle Pressure Adjustment will fix the rattling/buzzing noise.
The simpler, easier things First of course. Check/Add ATF with Car level, Engine running at a slow idle, wheels blocked, Parking Brake set, Trans, in Drive.

Which brings up the need for you to have more Technical Information about this Car.
You can purchase the Chassis Parts Catalog, Body Parts Catalog and Complete Shop Manual all on ONE CD Disc or the three Books (more expensive) and be able to properly Maintain your new purchase.

At Studebaker Vendors here:
https://studebakervendors.com

[studegary]

Welcome to SDC Forum and the wonderful world of Studebakers!
I have owned several 1963s out of the more than 50 Studebakers that I have owned. It looks like you have a good start to a fun car. I agree that the AT is probably just low on fluid. Don't worry about the minor differences, just replace the windshield and get it running and stopping (most important). Is the stretch yours or was that at the auction?

[rockne10]

The plastic chrome "spiders" that are the difference between the '62 and '63 tail lights are now available by themselves, and easily added to the '62 tail lights.

[ADent]

Thank you all. Its probably not 100% perfect year to year wise. A four door sedan will never be worth a fortune so I am ok with it.

Took a look at the transmission and it seems a little leaky. Can't tell from where yet. I've cleaned it up in hopes that I can trace the source. Any common sources of leaks?

The stretch limo was part of the auction. An 1990s Jaguar that got stretched. A lot of neat stuff at this auction. The full listing is here - https://www.liveauctionworld.com/TIM...r-28th_as68601. Here is the Jag - https://www.liveauctionworld.com/199...LIMO_i38860448

[ADent]

When picking up the car we noticed the trunk was full of stuff. Unfortunately with a long drive we did not have time to look through it that day.



The inside has what looks like that green exterior green deck carpet decking. In the trunk there was some spare of this. The rear doors where also missing their chrome. Inside the trunk was an amount of chrome. Hopefully some of it fits the rear door. This layer taken off to see what is under.



Spare tire and such out. Fuel pump, speaker, jumper cables and another extension cord visible.



A quick vacuum has it looking better. It could do with a wash and repaint at some point.



Here is the contents minus the spare tire and trash.

Jack, sandpaper, chrome trim, air filter, sun visor, alternator, spray bottle, door pull, jumper cables, 2x extension cords, fuel pump, tarp, carpet, jack and box of parts.


Looking into the box we have spray paint, silicon caulk, painting tape, horn, trim, door handles, spare ignition, coil, radiator cap, speaker.

10 cents of Canadian Tire money.

Oddly some housing flooring transition pieces.



Awesome spray?



Rusty pliers



Some hardware



Some electrical


Next up the glove box.

[ADent]

The interior needed a go through. The missing air cleaner housing and hub cap. Also paint container plus a car cover.



After a quick clean.



Nasty blanket and pillow



After a quick clean. Someone spilled/sprayed some white paint in various spots unfortunately.



These had a "Exclusive Beauty Vanity" for a very Sixties sexist way was marketed to women as an in car vanity.



New old stock manual. I found the receipt in the truck. These are not a reprint but left overs from 1963.



Studebaker radio



Quite complete with speedometer, clock, temperature, amps, oil pressure, fuel.



Neat seat belts

[ADent]

Since going through the trunk was fun let's do the glove box. I made a video this time. These had a "Exclusive Beauty Vanity" for a very Sixties sexist way was marketed to women as an in car vanity.

https://youtu.be/NgKd0K8nFsM

[studegary]

Besides your Lark and the Jaguar stretch, that I previously mentioned, there were a lot of interesting vehicles in that auction, including; 1963 Wagonaire, Triumph Mayflower, VW Beetle with 30's Ford woody kit.

[ADent]

My transmission was low on automatic transmission fluid but why? A quick look underneath it was clear is was leaking. We would need it to be a cleaner to find where.



Cleaned up and then let sit over night to see if the leak was apparent.



Now we can read the tag. AS-10-5P transmission



The next day a fresh leak! I think the leak is coming from one of the linkage arms.



Pushed in a paper towel. Hopefully it will stay and have some fluid on it in the morning to confirm the theory.

[Bullet]

Did you find the mirror for the left side of your vanity? Great looking car! Have fun.

mark

[Bryan G]

Looks like a great find! I've been working on acquiring its twin (someone lost the title; someday the seller will get it sorted out.) Your experience will help me resurrect mine. And, that "Awesome" really is awesome! Careful, it's strong enough to damage some items but it really cuts the grime & is dirt cheap.

[studegary]

I would correct the AT fluid level and see how many weeks or months it takes to lose enough to be a problem before worrying about any repairs.