interchange- larks

[59 lark]

I got Carla's 59 Lark tudor sedan home from the wrecking yard. Been looking it over trying to decide what to do with it.The Lark has a flathead 6 with a 3 speed stick.Carla will not drive a stick, so the Lark will have to have a automatic.What I wound like to do is find a complete running V8 A/T P/S Lark.What I need to know is but have not found is what year Larks interchange with each other so I can convert Carla's to a V8 car.

[gordr]

The parts you need can be found in pretty well any V8 Studebaker car from '58 and up. All you need to change will be: engine, transmission, rear axle, drive shaft, steering column, throttle linkage, brakes, and springs. And maybe a couple of minor items.

I did EXACTLY this job on a '61 Lark. Donor car was a '64. It was a lot of work. Unless you are prepared to do a lot of work, you'd be better off selling the car you have, and buying a V8 car. They are out there.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[JDP]

Pretty much any 59-64 will provide everything you need, brakes, rear, engine,transmission, drive shaft, steering column, radiator and the rest. Might be more cost effective to sell the little six and buy another Lark though.

JDP/Maryland

[59 lark]

This is the info that I have been looking for.The lark we have has family ties so its a keeper.AS far as the work thats the fun part.I think buying a donor wound be cheaper.So does any one know where i can pick a donor close to Beulah,ND

Thank very much for the info. I will keep you posted

Will,

[jackb]

I think there are several V8 Larks on ebay right now...don't recall the location tho...

[barnlark]

Even more fun to get Carla to drive a stick...and cheaper!

[buddymander]

The trick I always use to get people to learn how to drive a stick is to: First tell them that it is going to take at least three lessons before they will actually drive the car down the street. Most people who have failed numerous times to learn on a stick will automatically begin to panic just by sitting in the driver's seat. Have them get used to the feel of the clutch pedal and the shift pattern. Tell them that the car won't jerk near as much when it's already moving. Then have them practice only letting the clutch out until they feel any movement of the car or change in the rpm. Have them rest often. Keep telling them to not try to drive the car yet. They will become impatient and confident and drive the car on their own. I've used this system several times on people who were certain that they could never drive a stick, and it worked every time.

[buddymander]

If that doesn't work, I'd love to see somebody take a fwd car and switch over everything to a studebaker. That would give you disc brakes, power steering, automatic trans, rack and pinion steering, heavy duty sway bar, fuel injection, air conditioning, somebody stop me.

[gordr]

quote:Originally posted by 59 lark

This is the info that I have been looking for.The lark we have has family ties so its a keeper.AS far as the work thats the fun part.I think buying a donor wound be cheaper.So does any one know where i can pick a donor close to Beulah,ND

Thank very much for the info. I will keep you posted

Will,

You might want to get in touch with Mark Soholt, in Alamo, ND. You ought to be able to find his contact information in the SDC roster. If he doesn't have a suitable donor car, he may well know where one could be found. And Mark is a heck of nice guy, too.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[59 lark]

Years ago I try to teach Carla to drive stick but it was not meet to be.
I have talked with Mark Soholt over the phone And plan on driving to Alamo soon.I think I have found a donor car. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks for all the help, Will

[bams50]

Great pic, Will; love that color[^] Any info on that cab-over truck it's next to?

Keep us posted on your progress!



Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"With your Lark you're on your own, free as a bird, alive as a Lark. You've suddenly discovered that happiness is a thing called Larking!"

[59 lark]

The C.O.E is a 1941 Ford.I got it from a friends mother. It was setting on the family farm. It will be a work-on and drive type of truck. Hope to have it on the road this summer.

[studegary]

quote:Originally posted by buddymander

If that doesn't work, I'd love to see somebody take a fwd car and switch over everything to a studebaker. That would give you disc brakes, power steering, automatic trans, rack and pinion steering, heavy duty sway bar, fuel injection, air conditioning, somebody stop me.

This has been done. One that comes to mind is the Kvanti - a '63 Avanti with a K car front chassis.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[bams50]

Yikes- I'd lke to see that car, Gary!![:0]



Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311

"With your Lark you're on your own, free as a bird, alive as a Lark. You've suddenly discovered that happiness is a thing called Larking!"

[studegary]

quote:Originally posted by bams50

Yikes- I'd lke to see that car, Gary!![:0]

Bob -
The last that I saw the Kvanti was at the SDC International Meet in Las Vegas. I believe that the car was from California. Someone from the west coast probably knows more about the car.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer