Early 1920s Studebaker ?

5 minute(s) of a 173 minute read

After talking about lights and light switches, I am reminded that one of the very few parts missing from my Light Six is an original rear lamp (tail-light)

If anyone has one surplus to their requirements I would be very interested to hear from them. At this time I do not even know what I should be looking for so some photographs could be of great help. 

This may also be an opportune time to ask again, if anyone has an original horn suitable for the 1920 Light Six I am still looking to buy one.

On the subject of buying things, 

I have just ordered on eBay an 18mm Sparkplug "hole" repair kit. I should have it within a week or so. Hopefully I will then be one step closer to having the motor being ready to start. More on this later.

Hi Scott

After you look at the photograph of the internals of my light switch, can you please point out to me where the "resistor" is located. 

Perhaps, like so many other things, as an Australian delivered car, it used a different B&S switch and wiring.

Meanwhile I will just keep on muddling along.

Thank you Scott.
We are never too old to learn. I am very much of the school of thought that we learn something new every day.

As I have been at pains to stress, I am a new chum when it comes to Studebakers.
I simply looked at the existing plugs, that have been presumably in the head for a very long time, Champion D16.

That is what I have just bought six new ones to match but have not until today attempted to screw into the Head.

Perhaps this goes to some extent to explain the stripped thread in one cylinder.

Certainly the new plugs have a fraction longer thread and screwing one  in by hand, it start to "bind" before it is screwed completely in.

While "Ignorance is no defence" Looking back through my threads, this seems to be the first time there has been any reference to Spark plug type.

It seems a trap for young players, BUT neither the original "Information on the Care & Operation" owners hand book or the "Service Manual" actually disclose the type, thread specification or heat range of the Spark plugs. No where in all its 268 pages does my NGK Spark Plug "Bible" mention 7/8 -18 thread plugs.  I must also confess that over the last 60 something years my involvement with Veteran, Vintage and Clasic cars from 1912 onwards, American made cars are definitely in the minority. Amounting to just three, the 1922 Dixie Flyer, a 1922 Packard Single Six and now the 1920 Studebaker. Looking at the Photograph below It shows on the left one of the existing Spark Plugs I have just removed from the cylinder head and on the right one of the six new spark plugs I have only just now removed from the pack of six I purchased a week or two back.

The thread on the new (right hand side) spark-plug is slightly soilde from when I attempted to screw it into the head by hand.

In Australia we have one word to cover this situation I believe that the French use a translation of the same expression.

MERDE!

Thank you again for the photographs of the tail lamp and the horn At least I now know what I am looking for. Also Attached is a photograph of the dash mounted fuse box. The Three fuses are labeled "Heads, Rear, Horn & Dash, all of which seems self explanatory. I think that the Horn and Rear Lamp need to be somewhat patinated rather than looking "Brand New". 

This is especially so as rather than a "frame off" restoration I am attempting to make the car appear to be its age but unspoilt, to treat it as sympathetically as possible.
While it has not covered a great number of miles in the last ninety seven years it has suffered total neglect for much of that time. That along with some obvious mis-use and abuse. At 81 I am not about to embark on a 20 year restoration program. If that is what is required I better start looking for a new owner for it now.  One of my oldest VSCC Friends keeps telling me that what I should have is a 1923 Austin Seven Chummy, just like the one I had when I was 18

At the time it was my drive to work and every day transport. But that was more than 60 years ago!

You can tell that it is a very early (1923) car by the six inch diam brake drums and the holes for the hub grease caps in the wheel centre.  The headlamps should be mounted on the little brackets at the base of the windscreen pillars. The steps between the front and rear mudguards have been removed and the bonnet strap fitted to add to its "sporting" appearance.

(Oh to be 18 again).