Topic: Dent buys a V8 - 1963 Studebaker Lark

[Scaerio]

Oddly some housing flooring transition pieces.

Nope, these are high-tech Tesla brackets. Studebaker was really ahead of its time.

 

[Arthur Dent]

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.

[Arthur Dent]

Thanks to Bill Jarvis on Flickr I have the following information from my body tag and serial number.

Body tag:
63 = 1963
V = V8 (could be either 259 or 289 but the engine id says 259)
Y = 4-door sedan (could be either of 2 wheelbases)
6 = Lark Custom (top trim level for the regular 113-inch wheelbase)

Serial number:
63 = 1963
V = V-8
C = Canadian-built (Hamilton ON)



Reading the engine identification number I now know it is a Canadian built 259 cid V8 producing 180 hp @ 4500 rpm from 1963. So strong possibility it is numbers matching. The air cleaner went on the engine and the valve covers were cleaner up. Over spray on the radiator from when it got painted. Not sure why the inside of the fenders are red. Primer perhaps and the previous owner never painted them? Seems to make more sense than the car being previously red. It is a bit of a hodgepodge with the tail lights and hubcaps from a 1962 model. Good thing it will be driver level rather than show car.




The filthy rear section was bugging me so I gave it a basic wash.




The rear window had some residue from a long missing stick on panel which looked much better once removed.

Going through the electrical the signals, headlights, brake lights all worked. Wipers moved a bit and stopped. I really need lubricate the linkage then wet down the windshield before trying again. The horn did not work. I connected the horn its self to the battery and that worked. The steering wheel button wiring and mechanism looked in good shape and without corrosion. I suspect the relay is the culprit but need to verify. Not sure the Mexican blanket works in the car or not.

[Arthur Dent]

Hard to see in the photo (but obvious in person) but a previous owner left a bunch of white paint on parts of the dash and on the radio and plate. I was able to clean it up a bit.



Here it was.



The Lark was obviously owned by someone named Bruce in the past. He perhaps went to Las Vegas. The two sides of the key chain are separating.

Perhaps the car should be known as Bruce.

[KD]

Viva la Bruce!