Studebaker struggled in the 1950s and 1960s to stay afloat and the introduction of the Lark compact in 1959 would help stave off the grim reaper. But as other (and bigger) manufacturers got into that space, Lark sales would decline. Enter the Lark Cruisier, which for 1963 was marketed as a “limousette” when Studebaker tried to position the car upscale like the Rambler Ambassador. This beautiful example has won several awards for presentation and has some more modern features like fuel injection. Located in Dunnellon, Florida, this sweet Stude is available here on craigslist for $16,500 (reduced from $19,900). Thanks for another nifty tip, Rocco B.!
For 1963, stylist Brooks Stevens gave the Lark a facelift just as the company was beginning to wind down its use of the nameplate (for 1964-66, it would be the Daytona). The snappier Cruiser was a major player in Studebaker sales that year. While overall company sales were down to 77,000 units, the Cruiser 4-door sedan accounted for more than half at 40,000 units. By the end of calendar 1963, Studebaker ceased making cars in the U.S. as it closed its South Bend, Indiana plant. Production would soldier on in Canada until early 1966 when the curtain finally fell on the storied manufacturer.
We don’t know if this Lark Cruiser is original or restored but – given its 123,000 miles – the latter would be likely, at least in some form. The body and paint look good, and the interior may be as well, but the photos provided are dark and focused. It looks 100% stock except when you peek under the hood. There the seller (or someone else) has added a 4-barrel intake with FiTech fuel injection, some degree of bling, an aluminum radiator, and a modern air conditioning compressor (although we’re told the car came with factory A/C).
Any departures from original have not hurt the car in terms of being an award winner. It has collected 20 trophies as recently as 2nd place in the 2022 Studebaker Southeast Zone Meet. Behind the window dressing, the car still has its original 289 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission. It has dual exhaust, which may have been standard with the Cruiser, and an aftermarket stereo has been added for sound while you’re driving around between award ceremonies. This Lark looks like the best of yesterday and today combined (but not quite a restomod), so would you like to try for award #21?
Like the Land Cruiser models that preceded these cars, they have longer wheelbases than the non-Cruiser 4-doors. They were used as taxis a lot because of the large amount of rear leg room available in these. This looks like it has some really nice upgrades while retaining a stock appearance.
By this time Cruiser was only the top trim level, the shorter wheelbase 4-doors were dropped and starting in ’62 all Lark 4-door sedans and wagons rode the Cruiser/Econ-O-Miler taxi’s 113″ span.
Good to know. Thanks for clarifying. Better that they canned the shorter wheelbase rather than the longer one.
Yup. 2-doors kept the 108″ span through the end though, with hardtops and convertibles ending with production in South Bend in ’64 and the 2-door sedan making it to the end of the Canadian redoubt.
Actually no to your next comment – it won’t let me comment there…..but my 1964 Daytona Hardtop was indeed made in Canada.
Correct buy that’s not a factory A/C unit hanging down there. Not sure how it won so many Studebaker meet awards when the under hood pics would scare off a Studebaker Judge.
These were as exciting to look at as grannies sock drawer. And do these 20 major awards come with the car? Deal breaker, right there….
“Grannies sock drawer”, hilarious AND disturbing…
Ha Ha…good question Big C…..
Replace the hose clamps with nos hog rings, put original black air filter on and traditional yellow valve covers, maybe you could improve your score
Guess after 110 years you get that way…..
Lovely looking Studebaker. I’ve always loved the 1963 Lark, probably more than the 62 Lark. If only more pics were posted on craigslist. I’ve always felt when advertising a car, the more pics posted the better. Given the condition of this car, I’d be willing to pay between $10k and $15k.
Everybody believes that their car is worth between $20K and $40K. It could be a pile of rusty parts lying on a garage floor.
The main thing that I remember about Studebaker is that they sponsored Mr. Ed. I can still hear the jingle about the ’62 Lark in my head.
Screw the boo-birds.
This is a nice car.
I am sure the trophies go with the car.
If you want a clean Studebaker the runs real nice….
This is a turn key.
In 1969 I bought my first car an identical car to the one pictured for $75 it had the normal rusted front fenders and low mileage under 60,000 I replaced the front fenders and painted the car Cadillac metallic brown, I had to listen to many people knocking my choice of car but at least I had a car that I could afford when gas was only 32 cents a gallon and it got 15 mpg my friends were asking me for a ride because they couldn’t afford to drive their gas guzzler big block Chevys
By looking at this car I can see why studabaker didn’t make it.
Excellent and very rich write-up.
Brooks Stevens did wonders on a shoestring budget. The roof looks a lot nicer than the earlier models. 👌
In the mid sixties while in high school, i worked at Scottie’s, the local car body shop. A chauffeur brought in a dark green brand new Studebaker to get all the bright trim shaved off the body. It’s owner didn’t want an ostentatious limousine.
Had this exact color combo Crusier as my first 1963….have a R-1 powered from the factory white/blue seats 1963 Crusier at the moment….factory tach as well as front disks which should be standard for the Cruiser in 1963….