Tough times caught up with Studebaker Corp. in 1964 when the company ceased automobile production in South Bend, Indiana, where they had been a fixture for 112 years. That left them to soldier on in Canada for another two years when the Sun finally set in 1966. The Daytona was considered the sporty version of the Lark compact that temporarily saved Stude in 1959. This beauty is a Canadian-built 1964 convertible that should be one of a few still left (only 286 were produced). Located in Osoyoos, British Columbia, and is available here on craigslist for $29,000 (USD or CD?). Bravo to Barn Finder “Scott” for the cool tip!
The Lark Daytona was the third car developed by Studebaker in the early 1960s to make its products less boring. The other two were the Hawk Gran Turismo and the now-iconic Avanti. Daytona’s hit showrooms in 1962 and the name and car stuck around through to the end (the Lark portion of the name was axed in 1965). V8s were offered along with supercharging and disc brakes to help live up to the Daytona moniker. 1964 was the last year for Studebaker powerplants with company striking a deal to use Chevrolet hardware in ’65 and ’66.
“Living the good life” might describe this ’64 Daytona’s more recent history. It seems to make the car show circuit with pride as the seller says, “it shows well at events”. The apparent stellar condition of the vehicle suggests it has been restored, but we don’t know when, if at all. It’s powered by Studebaker’s 259 cubic inch V8 which is wearing the car’s 82,000 kilometers well. The Daytona has front disc brakes, a trademark that few automobiles of the early 1960s can boast about.
Sporting collector license plates, this looks like a solid ride with lots of enviable life left. Daytonas weren’t plentiful in Studebaker’s declining years, so a convertible like this has to be in extremely rare territory. I’ve always had a soft spot for automotive underdogs like Studebaker and American Motors. How about you?
very nice car. Never have seen one. Is that an ashtray between the seats pretty high up?
That’s an inverted overhead shot. Ashtray is between the seat bottoms…
PS beautiful car. Too bad it isn’t an R2…were any Daytona ‘verts so equipped?
Out of the actual over 400 converts made in 1964 – there is at least one R2…..
Yes – that is an ash tray in the short console. In fact Studebaker offered two sizes of bucket seats – the large type like my Daytona hardtop has without a console and the narrow buckets like my Daytona convertible has with the console – both of them 4 speeds. My 1963 R1 powered Crusier has the wide buckets without a console and a auto on the column.
Cool looking machine and very well preserved. Would love to have in my stable but not at $29k. Tade overpriced.
I remember thinking a Daytona featured here awhile back would be better as a convertible. Well here it is but it has an automatic transmission instead of a four speed. At least that’s what I tell myself to keep from pursuing it. It is darn nice though, that interior is a sea of red and it looks great.
Since it’s advertised on Craigslist in Canada I would think it’s in Canadian dollars and the $29000 converts to a much more reasonable $20921. That’s a price I could live with for this beauty but I’m preferential to red on red cars. Anyone interested would have to confirm the actual price though.
Fun fact:
Both Brook Steven’s “Excalibur” and Raymond Lowey’s “Avanti” were originally built on this Lark Daytona Convertible’s chassis!
I thought that the 289 was the engine in the 60s, not the 259.
Studebaker had both a 289 and a 259 in the 1960s. 289 was used in the Hawks.
They had both 259 and 289’s in the 50’s and 60’s – the 259 was more of a base V/8 engine starting in the mid 50’s if you wanted a V/8 then the 289 was an option but the 289 was standard in a President starting in 1956 and not the base engine in the Hawks unless it was a Golden Hawk which was also Super Charged.
Believe it or not, this last Lark restyle by Brooks was on the original 1953 Studebaker designed by Lowey. The 59 lark was nothing more than that 53 model drastically altered. The 53 model was too advanced for the time but cars did get lower. This 1964 Lark is my, favorite. They were very good looking. The AMC Concord is the same idea. This particular Lark is just gorgeous! I like the convertible and the two door hardtop and the station wagon with the sliding rear panel. However, most people but much larger products from general motors, Ford and Chrysler. Too bad.
that’s the way the industry works. Sharing and continuing platforms, and the factories that are set up to make them
1960 Falcon :Comet, Mustang, Fairlane, Cougar, Maverick, Granada, Monarch, Versailles
VW Beetle: Karmann Ghia, T2, Type 3, 1600L, Brasilia, SP2
Nice, rare find! Stands out for sure. But I’m topped at $22K, and that is generous, but worth it to keep for a pass along to the kids….
I like this car allott if the Canadian dollars convert to US dollars at closer to 20 K ,I think it is worth looking at.
This car appears to be in excellent condition. I would say probably better than new.
Too bad the “like” option was taken away, unless you pay for the privilege. I don’t see anyone liking any comments anymore…lol.
Ditto, Frank. I still really like this car!
Jesse says that, and I paraphrase, it wasn’t working so they took it away and if you want to use it you can become a member.
A tribute R2 convertible for sale on collector cars.com