By 1960, problems at Studebaker were legion. Ford had increased production dramatically in 1953, and price cuts followed industry-wide. Studebaker had the highest labor costs in the industry. As prices fell, its profits disappeared, and its balance sheet deteriorated. We all know what happens when car makers are hanging by a thread: corners are cut, product can’t be refreshed, and ever more customers abandon the marque. Studebaker was headed down that slope when it developed the compact Lark. Introduced in 1959, the little car owned its niche for a brief moment, bringing profits and hope to its maker. Alas, it was crushed by Ford and GM who brought forth more modern choices, namely the Falcon and the Corvair. With the market more crowded, it wasn’t long before Studebaker succumbed to a series of mergers that eventually saw it cease production. But take heart, because you can recapture the plucky attitude of a long-lasting independent if you bid on this prime example of a 1960 Lark VI wagon, here on eBay. The bidding has reached $8000, reserve not met, and if you win the auction, you can drive her home from Folsom, California.

The wagon came in two iterations, the VI and the VIII, denoting a six-cylinder or an eight. The flat-head six in this car displaces 170 cu. in. and is rated at 90 hp. Just one year later, Studebaker pulled a rabbit out of the hat with its redesign of the 170 to an OHV configuration, with 112 hp and no deduction from fuel economy. The “Skybolt” engine was still old-school, however, as other makers ramped up horsepower with abandon. On the other hand, Studebaker’s eight-cylinder engines compared quite favorably with the competition. This car has a three-speed column-shift manual transmission with overdrive – a rare option. The seller notes it runs well and can cruise easily at 75 mph. The car is driven daily.

The patina of the interior matches the exterior – exuding a well-cared-for-but-original vibe that’s the Holy Grail for many collectors. There are two shades of white on the dash, but that doesn’t bother me. That original radio, the steering wheel center emblem, the granny knob, I might faint! Ok, I do really love Larks so I am biased. The cargo area – where the dogs ride – is only slightly tatty.

The bumpers, trim, glass … all good. The car was tuned recently and has a new battery and new radial tires (bias plys were original). Service records and copious NOS parts accompany the sale. What might we pay for this gem? Well, this exact car is advertised on H.A.M.B. here, with an asking price of $10,769, and it’s been for sale for about six weeks. I’m guessing somewhere between $9k and $10k would take it home; what do you think?