1963 Studebaker Lark Cruiser
I bought a '63 Lark Cruiser at auction late last year. Paid all of $425 dollars for it and drove it under it's own power later that same day. Of course, it needed lots of refreshening as it hadn't been on the road since 1977 or so!
Being a car of the southwest since new, rust was minimal. Really only some surface rust and a few dents and dings from it's 46 years of life.
The engine's running nicely now - starts instantly. The brakes are all fresh and the big finned drums really haul it to a halt.
What it needed more than anything was alot of cosmetic attention. With the help of a pro bodyman and the fact that there's SO MUCH NOS parts still available for Larks - this thing's on it's way to looking like the grand dame she once was. Original factory upholstery on her seats, a factory NOS headliner, factory NOS door panels and a repro skin for the padded dash - she's gonna be a doll.
The Cruiser was the top-of-the-line sedan offering from Studebaker for '63. Studebaker venerable 289 engine (no, NOT made by Ford!) was standard and power steering and power brakes were the norm. The owner of this Cruiser ordered it special without the power options but WITH factory air conditioning.
Anyway, the doors were off so the door jambs could be painted proper and new weatherstriping installed. That's now done. This week the doors, hood, trunklid, go back on and then it's off for it's full paint job. After that, all the NEW interior stuff will go in, and the all new brightwork goes on. I'm hoping she'll be ready for the 1st International Drive Your Studebaker Day on July the 4th!
BTW, that color is Blue Mist Metallic. That's what this car wore originally.
Being a car of the southwest since new, rust was minimal. Really only some surface rust and a few dents and dings from it's 46 years of life.
The engine's running nicely now - starts instantly. The brakes are all fresh and the big finned drums really haul it to a halt.
What it needed more than anything was alot of cosmetic attention. With the help of a pro bodyman and the fact that there's SO MUCH NOS parts still available for Larks - this thing's on it's way to looking like the grand dame she once was. Original factory upholstery on her seats, a factory NOS headliner, factory NOS door panels and a repro skin for the padded dash - she's gonna be a doll.
The Cruiser was the top-of-the-line sedan offering from Studebaker for '63. Studebaker venerable 289 engine (no, NOT made by Ford!) was standard and power steering and power brakes were the norm. The owner of this Cruiser ordered it special without the power options but WITH factory air conditioning.
Anyway, the doors were off so the door jambs could be painted proper and new weatherstriping installed. That's now done. This week the doors, hood, trunklid, go back on and then it's off for it's full paint job. After that, all the NEW interior stuff will go in, and the all new brightwork goes on. I'm hoping she'll be ready for the 1st International Drive Your Studebaker Day on July the 4th!
BTW, that color is Blue Mist Metallic. That's what this car wore originally.
