DARRYN FISHER'S
Bought from original owner in 1978, as something to get my license with. Still got it 31 years later. I have always liked custom cars of the 50’s, 60’s, so that reflects in my cars. This car has been resprayed, retrimmed, full mechanical rebuild over the years. It has just about every genuine Stude accessory plus a few others I like. It is lowered about 4”, has air shocks controlled by onboard compressor. Custom items include centre console full of extra gauges, 160 mph speedo, lakes pipes, spats, spot lights, glass sun roof, disc brakes, wire wheels, white walls, bonnet & guard scoops, stainless mesh grille, conti kit, frenched antenna, tuck & roll interior, & blue dot tail lights. The engine was rebuilt at 175,000 miles by Alan Heyde. It’s been bored to 265 cid, fully balanced, block decked, heads shaved slightly, has an aluminium timing gear, HD stainless valves with hardened seats, tuned length extractors, sports exhaust, WCFB carb with sports air cleaner, electronic ignition, high voltage coil & 8mm leads, electric engine fan & chrome engine dress up kit. This drives through a police HD 10” clutch & pressure plate to a 3 speed overdrive with police floor shift. From here to a twin traction diff. Goes real well & has been very reliable. I drive my Studes every day. This car is about to clock over 200,000 miles.
1962 Lark Cruiser
Bought from second owner in 1987. The car was ordered new RHD by an Australian working in USA. Imported to Australia in 1963. It is the only 62 Lark Cruiser in Australia. Factory options include HD finned brakes, HD springs & shocks, tinted windscreen, clothe upholstery, door map pockets, AM radio with 2 speakers, climatizer, bumper wings, 289 V8, WCFB 4 bbl & HD Dana 44 diff 3.07 ratio. I started restoration but have not proceeded due other projects.
1962 Lark
Bought from the original owners in 1988. They were trapeze artists in the circus. They travelled around Australia towing a caravan & wrote of their exploits for Wheels magazine in the 60’s. I refurbished the interior, put in twin traction 3.07 diff, added all the accessories I could find. Unfortunately car damaged in 1990 & in storage since.
1964 Cruiser
Bought from my Dad in 1990, after white car got damaged. Dad had bought it from the original owner with 32,000 miles. The car won the first NSW concours back in 1971. It had 42,000 miles on it, when I bought it. Now has 104,000. I have fitted every factory accessory & then some. Custom items fitted are, spats, white walls, bonnet & side scoops, mesh grille, hubcaps, conti kit, twin antennas & tinted glass. It has factory bucket seats & console. I have also fitted many Super Lark items, 160 mph speedo, tacho, 3.07 twin traction diff, radius rods, rear sway bar, chrome engine dress up kit & cast iron headers. The engine is original, heads have HD stainless valves with hardened seats. It runs electronic ignition, high voltage coil & 8mm leads. It has a WCFB 4bbl with sports air cleaner, sports exhaust & an electric engine fan. The auto has been modded to first gear take off. I have added a centre console filled with extra gauges.
62 Lark Regal
Bought from the original owner in 1999. The car was ordered new RHD by an Australia Naval Commander, stationed in Bangkok during the Vietnam war. After driving around Asia for a year it was imported to Australia in 1963. It is the only 62 Lark Regal in Australia. It has factory fitted air conditioning, climatizer, metric speedo & AM radio. I did the usual, & added every factory accessory & then some. The car was resprayed in 1983 & the engine replaced with a fully reco 289. The rumour is, this engine was pulled out of Burt Needham’s 2 door 64 race car when it went R4. The engine really goes, so I would say Burt waved his magic wand over it. I restored the rest of the mechanicals. I fitted disc brakes, HD Police clutch & pressure plate, 3 speed overdrive gearbox, added twin traction to the 44 diff. I also fitted a rear sway bar & it will soon have radius rods. The engine is fitted with a WCFB 4bbl, sports air cleaner, electronic ignition, high voltage coil, 8mm leads, cast iron headers with sports exhaust, an electric engine fan & chrome dress up kit. Custom items fitted are, spats, white walls, blue dots, lakes pipes, spot lights, bonnet scoop, conti kit, twin antennas & tinted glass. It is in the process of having the interior refurbished, new carpet, centre console with lots of gauges & may include bucket seats.
I enjoy playing with & driving my Studes. I find them very easy to work on & most parts readily available. I’m looking forward to many more miles on them.