Studebaker was struggling to survive in the early 1960s – a form of déjà vu all over again. The company had escaped financial ruin only a few years earlier when it merged with Packard. Well-heeled competitors Ford and Chevy enjoyed production efficiencies that kept their costs some 25% below Studebaker’s, so Studebaker was losing money every year. The company had hitched its fortunes to the Lark, but it was slow to update the stubby little car’s styling. The Lark was a tall car with thick pillars when other makers were moving to “long and low” with airy greenhouses. By 1963, the Lark had seen two facelifts, improving its appeal and boosting sales momentarily. Here on craigslist is a 1963 Studebaker Lark project car, with an asking price of $4900. This car is located in Westport, Massachusetts. Thanks to FordGuy1972 for this great tip!
The Lark’s seller offers only the briefest description of condition but does mention that this car is an “old barn find”. We don’t get an engine photo, but the engine is said to run, though fuel tank work is advised. This Lark is a six-cylinder, which means the 170 cu. in. with a single barrel Carter carburetor making about 90 bhp. The car is fitted with a manual transmission and the clutch is said to be “fine”. The car needs brake work. By 1963 the Lark was on the station wagon’s longer wheelbase, but it still occupied the economy car niche. Not even the V8-motored supercharged Daytona could enhance the Lark’s image; by late 1965, the model would be defunct.
The interior features a vanity where the glovebox would be, and to remind passengers that it is present, a gold cursive “Vanity” badge was installed on its right-hand side. This car’s interior is in need of cleaning, from the upholstery to the white dash switches. Speaking of switches, someone has installed a homemade switch panel to the right of the steering wheel below the dash. Looks like plenty of extra wiring is lurking underneath, too.
The grille, chrome, and paint are quite nice, and the Studebaker Club sticker in one window tells me someone was once very fond of this car. Now just for kicks, compare this photo of a 1960 Valiant with this Lark’s front end. Eerily similar, right? The headlight set, the “eyebrow” running along the waistline of the car around the front, and most particularly, that grille! Almost identical. Who stole from whom? Speaking of stealing, this price is very reasonable for a project car in decent cosmetic condition. If an inspection shows little to no rust, I’d call this a bargain. What do you think?
How can the horse loving author write up a ’63 Lark, and not mention “WIIIIILBUR”,,I realize that dates me, but the TV show “Mr. Ed” was one of the most popular TV series, and a last gasp for Studebaker, the sponsor. I think it was the 1st time we saw the Avanti. Wilburs neighbors, the Addisons drove one. I read, the grill was a Brooks Stevens invention made to mimic the Mercedes Benz. As I’ve said many times, and perhaps the author missed it too, I believe the red handle to the left of the steering wheel is an O/D. Studebaker, I think, offered O/D as standard equipment on sticks, anyone? Regardless, I bet the seller doesn’t even know that and a worthy option to leave off the description. I think the Lark 6 w/OD even beat the Rambler American in fuel economy runs, and could easily deliver 30 mpg with the 6. You know, all one sees today is supercharged Studebakers, when, again, I never saw one except at a car show. For many, a supercharged Studebaker was a contradiction of terms. This is the sweetest bargain I’ve seen here in a long time and the manual will undoubtedly kill the sale for many today. Still a great find.
OD was a popular option (not standard), but I think the red T-handle in this car is the inside hood release.
Didja know that the way they got Mr. Ed to act like he was talking was to rub peanut butter under his upper lip?
I’ve got a couple of 62 GT Hawks, with 289 V8s. Love the styling, parts are amazingly available, and the motors are pretty much bullet proof. Never had one with a stick, but the automatics are like Ford Cruise-o-matic. (Actually, Ford automatic came AFTER the Stude). If I had a place to put it I’d be all over this one!
56 years later and I still miss Studebaker.
Definitely a Valiant likeness, although Studebaker had that grille long before the Valiant’s conception. Pretty damn nice for a “project car”, too bad it’s not a V8.
Design History: Why The 1959 Studebaker Lark Front End Looked So Much Like The 1960 Valiant Front End
Well for one thing, this 63 Lark bares more resemblance to a Valiant, than a 59 Lark, and certainly no resemblance in the rear ends of the two. Pretty lame article. And like I said, Studebaker was the first to use that style grille.
The bumper sticker reads;
“DANGER Keep away from moving carriage”
I get a Lark vibe everytime I pass a Hyundai Venue https://carbuzz.com/cars/hyundai/venue
Studebaker is a great car to get into the hobby with. Fantastic club support, and the members will bend over backwards to help each other. If this wasn’t about 3/4 across the country from my, in the wintertime would strongly consider chasing it down. Just watch out for the king pin front suspension, just like Ramblers.
Michelle, you might be thinking about the old flathead six, last used in 1960, which made 90 horsepower. This would be the OHV Skybolt six, making 112.
Thanks!
This is a good looking car and a potential bargain? I can’t really relate to it because I have never owned one.
After owning a 1964 Rambler, i went back to something a little faster and sportier. No more weird stuff!
Just my opinion!
At age 12, I learned to drive in a 5 year old ‘61 Lark VI with a 3 speed (and OD). Once while Dad was driving us up to Seattle on Highway 99 (I5 was not yet built), a deer attempting to cross the highway just missed an off duty sheriff’s pickup and clipped the front of our Stude going the opposite direction. The only damage to our car was a broken headlight and a small dent above the grill. The deer did not fair so well though, so the sheriff finished it off with his pistol right in front of Dad and me. My mom and sisters sat in the car and cried, but I thought it was kind of cool. We were told the meat would be served to guys in the local jail.
Studebaker was the sole importer of Mercedes and the grill was suppose to “copy” it probably to make the car look more expensive.. the Studebaker automatic came first and it was a very good trans,and was used in fords mercury’s,edsel,lincoln,avanti,rambler,AMC,Volvo,Isuzu,Mitssubishi colt Hyundia,BMW Jeep,triumph, packard, mercedes,jaguar,saab, and ,then ford wanted to buy trans from them and studie said no(bad decision) so ford devloped their own and studie bought the cheaper ones from them,,whew
Studebakers automatic came first ? I think they were far behind Oldsmobile in that respect, and I highly doubt that a car company that didnt even exist when Stude shut their doors would use antiquated Studebaker transmissions , let alone any major manufacturer
Yes Olds came first but not by much,,Considering how big GM was and how small studebaker was that was quite an accomplishment and studie had a v8 before pont,chev,buick,ford(not counting the flathead) ,,the Studie automatic lived on many yrs after studie was gone thru modifications but still the same reliable transmission,,look it up !!
That fire extinguisher is a thoughtful addition.
Didn’t they use a Borg Warner Auto?????