1963 Studebaker - SLHS auto shop 2011 class project

Seattle Lutheran High School Auto Shop is back again for the 2011-2012 sschool year and we've got another wagon for a project car. This year's project is a 1963 Studebaker Lark wagon.

Here it is getting ready to unload a pile of parts before entering it's new home.


My dad had the car around for a year or so and decided he needed the space more than he needed another project, so he donated it to the class. Lucky for us, he started collecting parts for it, so we've got a lot of what we need to get it fixed up. It needs a lot of the same things that our Ford needed last year - front end rebuild, brake rebuild, floor patches, interior.

The car actually runs pretty good, but the previous owner (before my dad) made some interesting color choices in the engine compartment, so we'll be taking things apart and repainting them at least.

 

Session 1

We had our first class this last Sunday. After introductions, safety briefing, and quick overview of the garage, we dove into the suspension and brakes.

Here Ian gets the car up in the air while the rest of the class looks on.


Our newest volunteer, Shahbaz, cleans up the backing plate and wheel cylinder after Kris took the brakes apart.


Here Kris helps Ken get the lower control arms off.



By the end of the class we had the rear brakes all apart and cleaned up, ready for the wheel cylinders to be rebuilt, and we had the front suspension off the passenger side.



In this year's class we have four boys: Ian, Zach (returning from last year), Kris, and Ransom (not present this session).

I have three volunteers helping me out this year: Dave, Ken, and Shahbaz.

Like previous years, we'll meet every other Sunday for three hours and the volunteers will get together on Friday nights as needed to keep the project moving and do grunt work.

 

Wow. I would have loved to go to that school. Seems like great fun.

How far do you take cars in restoring them? Or do you just get them running and functioning up to par?

 

Looking forward to another great thread from Olivepick. Not liking the Lark wagon as much as I liked the Ford........but bet it starts growing on me as they get into the project. Thanks!

 

I enjoyed following your ford class project, I'm sure I will enjoy this one also

 

Great project. I loved the 57 Ford now you have chosen another make that I love. Fantastic.

I think the only color on the engine that is accurate is the yellow rocker covers.

 

Good luck, Olive. If the class is even 1/2 as successful as the Ford, it'll be great. You're doing these kids such a great service. So eager to follow this one. Does it have the sliding roof over the cargo area?

 

We get as far as we can in one school year, with the goal of attending the Billetproof show in June. The show is a 100+ mile round trip, so we focus primarily on making the car road worthy. I'm pretty budget constrained, so I don't get into a lot of the expensive stuff that's required for a full restore.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. This car does have the sliding roof.

 

This is great, I'm sure all will have fun with it!

 

Sliding roof....now my interest really picks up,lol. Cool car.

 

I love this project!
Frankly, I think you can get farther along with this Lark by the end of the school year.

Seems to in the past you had an issue with attendance. Can't get a lot done if the worker bees don't show up. Maybe having more volunteers will help in that regard.

I assume that's the original Studebaker 289? Man, that thing is begging for a new intake manifold and better carburation.

 

excellent choice of wagon!!
i luv those things

look forward to its progress as always

 

Session 2

Well, the truancy has begun. This week we had two students - one of which is Ransom, who missed the first class. The good news is that Ian and Ransom were really into it and put in a good day's work.

We got the rear wheel cylinders rebuilt, both rear brakes put back together, the front suspension and brakes completely apart, several suspension components sandblasted, primed, and painted and the front coils cut to lower the car (we have an extra set in case we screw up or regret this decision).

Here Ian and Shahbaz work on the brakes (that's my new press in the foreground)


Ransom puts in some time on the sand blaster:

 

More Session 2 pics

Here's the results of our sand blasting and painting.


Box of goodies to use in our next class to put it all back together.
​