In 1959, Studebaker needed a new car to help stave off the Grim Reaper. And it arrived in the form of the compact Lark, which would stick around through the end of Stude production in 1966. However, the Lark name would disappear in 1964, giving way to a clever restyle and monikers like the Daytona. The seller’s car is a ’64 Daytona that looks worthy of restoration, though some wiring issues will have to be sorted out. Located in Manteca, California, this Studebaker is available here on eBay for $8,000 (Buy It Now) or you can also use the Make Offer option.
The 1964 model year was one of the unfortunate changes for Studebaker. Continuing financial difficulties led the company to close its South Bend, Indiana plant after 112 years of operation. After that, production was consolidated in Hamilton, Ontario for the next two years. Depending on when the seller’s car was built, it could be from either of those production points. Studebakers built after 1/1/64 are considered “second series” 1964 models, because of certain production changes after the Canadian move.
This Daytona 2-door hardtop is one of only 2,414 copies to see the light of day, so it’s a rare find nearly 60 years later. We’re told that the 289 cubic-inch V8 engine under the hood (not pictured) is original to the car, but the VIN suggests it could have been built with the smaller 259. Either way, it’s supported by an automatic transmission and Dana 44 rear-end. The car was holed up in a barn in Southern California from 1973 until just recently.
Rust doesn’t appear to be an issue here, but the after-effects of an invasion of mice are. They decided to call the car home and chewed on some of the upholstery and – even worse — parts of the wiring. So, until that is sorted out, the buyer won’t be able to gauge the viability of the drivetrain, though we’re told the engine rotates freely. The car wears older red paint which appears to be a redo. Studebaker’s cars are some of those underdog marques that still draw attention.
The 1965 Daytona in Colorado was a better buy at less money. This one smells bad at the price he’s asking – just not a lot of lovers on these.
Production was around 2500 or so – kinda rare does not equate to desirability or price.
Yes it’s had a repaint but that dash pad is the most – wish my 4sp car was that nice !
VIN does would not show if it was a 289 or 259. With the Dana 44 it was probably a 289. The price is high for what you get with this one. This is a South Bend car.
One zero too many.
My wife’s great uncle had a similar car from new. It was a Canadian built car so it was powered by a 283 chevy motor.
All 1964 Studebakers used Studebaker engines, no matter where they were built. It wasn’t until 1965 the Studebaker started using GM McKinnon V8 and six cylinder engines.
That would have been a ’65 or a ’66. The ’64s and earlier models still had Studebaker engines.
I hate mices to pieces.
In 1964, all V8-powered Studebaker cars got Dana 44 rear axles. The sixes made do with the Dana 27. The only way to tell if this vehicle was originally equipped with the 259 or 289 is to look at the build sheet, available from the Studebaker National Museum. It will list all factory options along with the original engine serial number.
Price way too high and too far away for me.
Back seat looks like it has water staining, assume the rear window is a leaker.
Cool car though, can’t say you’ll park next to another one at the show ñ shine.
Buy in is on the topside I’d assume as to get it straight you’d need half that ask.
The only problem with the Lark ( I’ve always liked them) was they were a nice compact in a market flooded with nice compacts. And the public would rather buy a Chevy or Ford over a Studebaker. Too bad, the Lark VIII especially was nice.
It accomplished its’ purpose for Studebaker corporate, giving them the time and money to diversify and then get out of the car business. By 1964 they were building cars to fulfill existing dealer contracts.
I’m a 1964 model but I’m 59. 😉
But I wasn’t stored that long.
lark, daytona, rambler 440 American, all great to service, drive’n own. Lucky enuff to have a vert as a kid (last 1 mentioned). Stupid enuff (it was on it’s last owner) to play cowboy’n jump off the porch onto the deck’n bound into the driver’s seat. Paint & upholstery none the worse from the shenanigans. One of my ‘bigger cars’ it was roomy to me. White big square box w/black cloth top, red interior… ran so quiet the folks at traffic lights thought it stalled out. With that i6 U could (literally) balance the nickel on the hood.
Pretty sad, my friends. This, I think, was the car that should have saved Studebaker. It was comparable to any other offering at the time, even more so in some respects. It was just too late. Among all the reasons they went down, I heard one reason was the name,,,Studebaker, just sounded old. The sad part, is, as of this typing, there are 124 “viewers”, but not one offer. That tells me, there’s a curiosity about this car, but nobody has the grapes to buy it. These were excellent cars, all proven aftermarket components, and if I wasn’t from “Ramblertown”, I’d be a Studebaker fan, no question. I believe we’ll see more and more of this, “less than desirable” cars, going unsold. They were, unfortunately, terrible rusters, so your only chance of finding a decent one, is in rust free areas. And since, like Rambler, Studebaker wasn’t all that popular outside the Midwest, and California, where people are a bit different, is about the only place you’d find one. A SUPER great find.
No photos of the engine compartment, where the owner states the wiring harness has problems, is of concern. Also doesn’t mention or show which 289 V8 is there [2 or 4 barrel carb], does it have P/S and P/B?
This Studebaker has 2 basic plusses: It’s a rust free body, and it’s a 2-door hardtop Daytona.
Negatives are: Needs interior and wiring harness replaced, unknown drive train condition. After sitting for 50 years, it’s likely gonna have some stuck valves.
This would make a good project, except it’s priced at almost twice it’s actual value.
That was my thoughts as well. I really like the facelifted Lark but would want a Daytona 4-speed. Nice thing about the Chevy V8 is all the things you could do to it on the cheap to make the car a true sleeper while keeping it stock looking. If it were 4K it would be gone by now.
The last of the Larks (Daytona) were the best looking in my opinion ; they finally got rid of the crazy body lines that had the chrome side trim always looking like it was bent and drooping and the huge looking door posts. But the writing was on the wall by this time, no one wanted a car from a company that was heading into the sunset , much like Olds and Pontiac , people thought they wouldn’t be able to get their cars repaired when they were gone and sales got worse.
Don,
You are so correct, by about 1961 the general public basically lost confidence in Studebaker’s staying power, because by then the big 3 were using their new compact cars to pull needed sales from Studebaker, who had much higher labor costs.
In late November of 1964 my dad started looking for a new station wagon. While we had a local Studebaker dealer very close, and dad liked the sliding roof Wagonaire, he had come to the conclusion that the company would not be around very long, and once they stopped production, their value would plummet. I tried like crazy to talk him into a new 1964 Avanti powered R1 Daytona Wagonaire [red with red bucket seat & console interior, and factory A/C] that was on display in the showroom, but he said no.
When he finally chose our new car in late 1966, he ordered a 1967 Plymouth Fury III wagon.
A good friend in the Studebaker club did find [and bought] that red Daytona Wagonaire in the late 1970s. It was still in the local area, but had been parked under a bunch of long-needle pine trees for years, and was in rough shape by then [the floors were GONE!]. I wanted that car, but reality set in; I had a newly opened vintage car repair shop and already had 3 rare Packards that needed attention.