Projects Studebaker Lark Bagged Subframed Stock exterior

Here's another project at the shop. It's a Studebaker Lark. The owner wants to keep the outside and interior stock appearing. It is getting 4 wheel Airbags. New front front clip, rear end.

As it arrived




Tear Down



Recessed Firewall for new engine and trans




Rear frame Plated and panhard bar mount in

 

The compressor, rear valves and tank are in the trunk


Rear suspension pieces ready to go in.


New rear end and suspension in.



New front suspension

Front end welded to the existing frame



Front bags in


Front suspension complete. All new braking hardware. Shocks are recessed into the lower arms to clear the rim while steering.


Engine and transmission installed


Notching and reinforcement done for driveshaft clearance


Rear suspension setup


Rear on the ground aired out.

 

IDIDIT polished steering column going.

New steering shaft mocking up

 

Whoa!

 

I like it!

 

Hi Jim - What is the front suspension from ? The car really looks nice.

 

Appears to be S-10?

 

Very nice work! It's a sleeper for sure.

 

Very nice work. You don't see too many of those around !!!!!

 

And what does this build have to do with the spirit of the H.A.M.B.?

 

Pretty sure it's pre-65??

 

What doesn't it have to do with it?

 

Troll much?

 

Jim -

Is the engine actually installed in chassis in this picture (above) ? If it is, why was the firewall cut like that ? There seems to be about 10" or 12" between the back of the engine and the new firewall location.

I've got a Lark, 2dr. wagon that I also cut the firewall...sorta simillar, but I also moved the engine back into it's new home..!

http://public.fotki.com/-Mike-/60_lark/

Though the motor plates and engine aren't in the car, the rocker covers "are" inside the the new cutout. There's even room for a big block Chevy if the small block doesn't suit me..!

Nice work overall though. Putting a "doubler" on the frame to mount the Panhard bar was a good decision.
I used a wishbone (and Chevy truck arms) on the (54 Stude wagon) blue car you can see the back of in the garage. I did the same thing, welded on doublers where I welded the wishbone brackets to the frame. I welded the outside and put several filler or "rosette" welds to make sure the plates wouldn't work or flex.

Mike

 

Thanks for the comments. Brad did the firewall before it was clipped. I guess he's ready for Altered action or slap in some coil overs for autocross. The customer wanted to originally leave the body stock but now is thinking of doing a chop. Right now the goal is to finish it up and let him cruise it as it sits with the paint buffed out dog dishes and all.

Yes its a gen II s10 front clip. It's easier for the customer to get parts since they are readily available.

Here's two shots from today. The column firewall mount is done and the dash mount was moved up some more. Steering is complete.

 

The car is nearing completion. It actually should be shipping Monday after some final shakedown checks.

For those keen viewers yes the engine now sets further into the firewall. Brad wasn't happy with the stance so he did some front end adjustments.


With the new adjustments a little firewall clearance was needed so you could steer a little all the way down.



Steering column in. Half wrap Steering wheel in. Dolphin Shark Gauges mounted in the factory gauge panel. The hole in the trans tunnel is temporary so the new shifter can be fitted.


New driveshaft tunnel


Should have some more pics this weekend. I'll be doing Studebaker Saturday on my truck while he finishes up this thing

 

Exactly.... don't shit all over a great thread. How many Larks has anyone seen, let alone one this cool?

Bob

 

Looks good,
Dropping mine to the ground is next on the list after we finish the interior.
Here is my Lark 8 Wagon

 

The turquoise four-door is certainly a sleeper.

jack vines

 

That's a beautiful wagon. IMO the 1961 was just that tiny bit better looking than '59-'60 with single headlights, and cleaner than '62-'63 with the body sculpting in the rear quarters.
Jimbacca, that's some nice work. Hope we get another look at this one.

 

Looks good.Lets see more.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Trans Tunnel and shifter completed


Gauges wired and ready to go.


Air Ride controls and gauge in a color matched panel


New fuel lines, brake lines and electrical

 

Looks cool.. I would not chop it but I would do a twodoor conversion. My first car was a 62 lark that was slammed using custom made springs back in the late 90s

 

Looks sweet. Did you have to have custom headers made to clear the steering shaft? Would love to see a pics of it smoking the tires.

If it were me, I'd give if a nice coat of shiny black paint. Black everything except the trim pieces.

 

The headers are off the shelf ones from Hedman. I'll check in on the part number tomorrow.

**Hedman Elite Hedders 69528**

 

Back off the lift Front end on.




Engine compartment needs some clean up. Inner fenderwells were trimmed for the new suspension.




Here are some shots of the front crossmember and how the car sits

 

Flex a lite fan installed. The front clip will get removed and all the inner fenders and metal surfaces will be sanded down and painted to clean up the look. Custom sized radiator will be installed under that cross tube.


Core support mount to the new front clip


Some changes on the final work this round. Custom aluminum fuel cell in the works. Custom Radiator to fit in the front. Home stretch always seems to take a bit when you want to do more to make it come out better.

Thank you for all the comments Brad and Vito at the shop appreciate it.

 

Thats cool!

 

Love it! An old Lark was my first hotrod. Nailhead Buick powered, back in the sixties. I'm doing a 59 Lark VII 2-dr. A Michigan car, so the floors and lower panels were gone. Stude had some real water drain problems. I have three of these cars so this one, the worst body, gets to be a gasser. Stubbed with 2x3 tubing from just forward of the front body mounts. Ford Maveric steering box, Straight axle. Glass front end.
I will keep this thread for ideas on the 60 2-dr hardtop, future project.

As mentioned, a sbc will clear the firewall. Mine has a 500 cube bbc, also clears the firewall. Had to modify the under bellhousing frame crossmember.

I like the aftermkt Guages in the stock dash. Great work on the entire car.
What was used for a brake master cylinder? Very little room under floor.

 

He ended up doing a wilwood remote reservoir unit. The reservoirs will be on the firewall. He did find a stock style one that fit. Not well and it would be able to fill it without a trap door. I will get some pics of the latest work when I hit the shop tomorrow.

Custom radiator 'should' be in today or at least getting fitted. Fuel cell will be done by 'the boy' soon. So hopefully some good pics coming this week.