Studebaker-Packard didn’t have a lot to crow about after their mid-1950s merger, except for the compact Lark, which debuted in 1959. It gave Studebaker a shot in the sales arm, which was badly needed, and they beat the “Big 3” to the new market segment by a full year. This 1961 edition looks like a family sedan except for the aftermarket wheels – and the powerful Chevrolet V8 under the hood! This machine belonged to the seller’s father and could be an affordable way to get into the classic car scene. Located in Laguna Woods, California, this Stude is available here on Craigslist for $9,500. Another fine tip brought to us by T.J.!
Since Studebaker wasn’t exactly printing money in the late 1950s, the Lark used the existing platform the 1953-58 cars rode on, reduced the wheelbase, shrunk the overhang on both ends, and presto, the Lark was born. It would sell well by Studebaker standards for the first couple of years until the Ford Falcon, Chevy Corvair, and others stole the thunder that Studebaker and American Motors had started (the latter with the Rambler American).
We’re told this is a Lark VIII, which would have come with a V8 engine (the Lark VI used an inline-6). But the seller says this automobile had a 6-banger with a 3-speed manual transmission before the restomod work began. It probably doesn’t matter much, as you can throw numbers matching out the window. A Chevy 350 V8 is employed now (crate motor at the time) with an output of 290 hp due to some tweaking, such as EFI instead of carburetion. The transmission in place now is a TH-350 automatic, also from GM. The brakes have been converted from drum to disc, but there is no power assist for the brakes or steering.
The seats have been reupholstered, but the carpet could stand replacing. Air conditioning has been added, and the seller says it blows nice and cold. You also have a Bluetooth stereo to listen to some tunes. The powder blue paint was redone about 15 years ago and looks okay except up closely where some knicks and age have crept in. Overlooking that, this looks like a turnkey cruiser for Cars & Coffee without dropping major coin to keep company, with cars costing several times more.
Cool ride
I’ve always been a fan of the odd balls that a lot of people wouldn’t even look twice at. Looks like a good build, only thing I’m not crazy about is the louvered hood, but would still park it in my garage!
I like the Luvered hood! Just wish it had 2 doors. I think 9k is high on price
Sharp car. And for a more door, not ungainly looking. Agree about the louvered hood. A lot of work for very little return.
Unfortunately there are no under hood photos of the body tag…(Aluminum tag on firewall )stating 61 V or 61S… regarding whether the car was equipped with a V8 or inline Six…
Read the text it tells you it came with a 6. Dumb.
The one thing about the Lark that set it apart from the other compacts of the era, it was the only one with a full frame. This is nice looking build, even though I’m not a moredoor fan. A couple of years ago I came across a Lark of this style in a junkyard, but a 2 door with a factory V-8 and 3 on the tree. It was just about rusted back to mother earth, but must have been neat back when it was new.
I’ve seen this car in Laguna Woods (a 55+ retirement community in SoCal) several times over the years and even photographed it when it was parked in “clubhouse” areas of the community, but never crossed paths with its owner. Always struck me as a cool retiree hot-rod runabout.
Sometimes the louvers are a necessity to help an overheating issue. Let’s a lot of heat escape.
Small engine compartment+ big engine+insufficient radiator maybe+a/c.
You get the picture.
I ran a body shop down here in Texas and cured the problem on many ambulances and police cars.
Just sayin’.
Very cool and not overdone, overlooking the hood, nice and tidy.
I’d rather spend that kind of money on a nice stock one. This one would cost too much to restore back.
Too much horsepower for a car that size!
Now that is funny,2 much H.P
why? He’s upgraded the brakes, and it was originally available with a V-8, although perhaps, not that powerful.
my grandmother drove a Studebaker. Nice little cars.
No such thing as too much Horsepower
And if it was an old Chevy Nova?!?
I don’t see the point. Now if he were using it to pull an age appropriate travel trailer that would be really cool.
My Dad had one. Black 4 Door factory V8 with 3 on the tree with overdrive. We could wind that car up to 50 mph in first gear and let off the gas and it would shift to overdrive. Wow lots of power and fun. We were teenagers at the time and we had a blast. !!
The Studebaker V8 with the supercharger was no slouch, so this body/frame could probably take this power – you are not likely to take it to the drags, plant your left foot on the brake, and run the RPM’s up to 5000 and let go. The ’53 – the last Hawk coupes were attractive, the 4 door starting in ’53, was ungainly, until it was made into a Lark, at which point, to me, it became a decent looking car. The Studebaker 6 was an oil burner, if you had a good car otherwise, you would replace the engine, and, why not replace it with what powered the later Avanti’s, a Chevy V8? And the Avanti and the Lark shared the parts underneath the body so the transplant had history.
The Avanti (and the Excalibur, which was also a Studebaker product proposal) were both built on the Lark Daytona convertible’s chassis
1965 & 1966 Ontario built Studebakers came with either 194 (6) or 283 (V8) GM engines too.
I like 👍
I think Studebaker had a lot to crow about after the mid 50’s. The 57 supercharged Golden Hawk. The Avanti, they set many land speed records at Bonneville in 1963 including an Avanti that did 196 mph. The R2 and R3 Larks and Avantis were very quick.
This was a labor of love, not a build to make money or impress people. Quirky, fun, semi comfy – take the whole fam and go for a cruise. You definitely would never see yourself at an intersection, let alone a car show / Cars and Coffee. Motor and trans will be easy to find parts for, and should drink/drip a lot less oil. Lots of pics in the ad and a decent description.
Betting if someone made seller a reasonable offer they’d have a fun little cruiser!
The louvers probably keep the engine cool.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved the 1959-61 Studebaker Lark. I used to know someone who owned a Lark VIII, a V8 engine. I don’t mind the modified V8 engine, but I’m not a fan of the floor installed gear shift. I’d keep the car interior as original as possible, while going crazy mechanically.
ROGER CHARLIE, as a hot rodder from the 40’s on I always looked for more horses, I love a sleeper like this. BY the way does anyone kniow where I can gat a 54Buick amfm radio for my 54 Century?
There’s video of a Goodwood race for V8 saloons, which means American iron. Pack of vintage Mustangs, Falcons, and even a 64 Galaxie 500 straight from NASCAR. And they’re all chasing the Studebaker Lark that wins Bigly!
I love Larks, and also Rambers, of this era. I think this car is worth all of what they are asking. It would be a fun cruiser. I wish it was on the other side of the country. Oh, the Chevy V8 is perfect if you want to drive it more than around town.
I miss Studebaker…and AMC…and Packard…and Hudson…and…
Not much to crow about? 1957,58 Golden Hawk, Kaw! Kaw!
The 289 SC would have been more to crow about though…
Nice job. Although I’m more a fan of the two door.
I really like this. They did a great job with changes and obviously put time and thought into what is a great sleeper/ restomod/ runabout/ cars n coffee/ cruiser/ fun project car. Well done!!