In the early 1960s, almost every American manufacturer realized that they were going to have to get serious about performance if they wanted to sell cars to young people. Little Studebaker, being that their V8 engine was just about maxed-out at 289 cubic inches, decided to create a series of Paxton supercharged “R-Series” cars that are still popular pieces on the Pure Stock Muscle Car drag racing trail today. This 1963 Lark Custom is a factory-documented R2 car that has been completely restored by Myer’s Studebaker in Duncan Falls, Ohio, which is where you can find this car for sale here on eBay with an asking price of $34,000 or best offer. The seller is based in Los Angeles, but the car is in Duncan Falls where the proprietors of Myer’s are available to answer questions about it. Thanks to Barn Finder Curvette for sending us this piece of South Bend performance history.
Here’s the original documentation for the Lark from the Studebaker National Museum, which tells us that it was set up as a serious performer from the factory. According to the seller, this freshly-painted “Maui Blue” Custom was produced just before the “Super Lark” package was announced, but it does have most of the gear that you’d find in those cars. It has heavy duty suspension, power disc brakes, Twin Traction differential, and a 3.73:1 gear out back. The only thing that one might question is the “Flight O Matic” transmission, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
Although the Lark is a factory R2 car, which was said to produce 289 horsepower, this car has been souped up even more. It’s been “punched out” to 304 cubic inches, which is what the Granatelli Brothers did to the super-rare R3 and R4 cars. The engine has been rebuilt with R3 intake valves, Harland Sharp roller rockers, port-matched heads, R3 headers, and an R3 camshaft. The supercharger has also been rebuilt (and I’ve always thought that they looked awesome sitting right out front in the engine compartment). By the way, the dual-circuit master cylinder was factory-standard on Larks; Rambler and Cadillac were the only other manufacturers to offer that standard feature in 1963.
In addition to the driveline and paint, the interior is also fully-restored, with Studebaker Daytona bucket seats and console replacing the Custom’s bench. Notice that instead of an automatic gear selector, there’s a floor shifter and a third pedal, which operate a “custom-built” T5 five-speed manual with a performance clutch. The rear end is a rebuilt Dana 44 with factory 3.73:1 gears and an Eaton limited-slip differential. I suggest looking over all the paperwork listed on the eBay ad to see the extent of what’s been done to the car; it’s truly rebuilt from top to bottom.
This is one of those cars where the purchase price seems like a lot until you realize that it’s just not: Given the amount of work that’s been done and the car’s rarity, thirty-four grand seems like a steal. Of course, the market for performance Studebakers is narrow, but if you’re in it, how could you not be intrigued by this little sleeper?
Excellent write-up Aaron. While we focus on our favorite Mustangs or Corvettes or Road Runners, here is something quite different: a hot-rod Studebaker, with all of its upright, conservative styling. It’s cool, in its own way. Looks like high-quality work. I am indeed “intrigued.”
The restoration shop is also interesting. A few non-descript buildings in small town Ohio. I bet the operator would be an interesting guy to talk to.
This one’s been for sale a while now – as a owner of two 4sp Daytona’s this one would be welcome in my hoard….more money spent on the resto than the ask on this rare factory hot rod before the GTO or others came to be after. Like was said – these Studebaker V/8’s which are not much different then the first ones offered in 1951…..basically the same old cast iron block……are shaking the up in the Pure Stock Drags……they blew the records at Bonnieville runs in 1963/64….
I really like this a lot. Theres some YouTube videos of an older Gentleman that has a very hot Studebaker Lark, I can’t remember his name or if he is the original owner but I thibk he is. And he still runs it!!! I’m wondering why the automatic from the factory, other than consistency in Bracket racing? But I’m all for the manual conversion. I’m sure this one is very quick and a blast to drive too. Absolutely beautiful restoration too. You could not restore, nor create one for less than that asking price. This is indeed a rare one that will hopefully be taken very well care of in its future. I enjoyed your write up Aaron, thank you.
If you search for YouTube videos type in ’63 Studebaker Lark R2 drag racing and you’ll see it. Its incredible how it holds its own against other cars.
Driveinstile, I believe you are thinking of Ted Harbit. He drag raced the “Chicken Hawk” for many years up into his 80’s. He totaled it at the drag strip when a oil line came loose at 112 MPH. Google him it’s a interesting read.
Mr. Harbit also drove a supercharged Lark at the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drags.
https://www.hotrod.com/features/1963-studebaker-r2-lark-superhero
Thank you BOTH!! Thats the gentleman. I didn’t know about him totalling his. Thats terrible. I’m going to look it up now.
Nope….not Ted who has passed away a few years back…..there are more than 1 currently running fast….the white 1963 and the brown 1964.
The T5 transmission will have a hard time holding up to the 300+ hp this motor will bring. That’s why Ford went with a more stout transmission behind the 4.6’s in the late ‘90’s.
The T5 in this car is not stock. There is a copy of the receipt in the eBay ad, with the upgrades there shouldn’t be any problems.
Steve R
I really dig this Lark. It’s so uncommon in today’s market and this restoration is outstanding. If I could I’d snap this up and put hub caps on it just to keep the sleeper vibe going.
BTW, I currently own an 04, 40th Anniversary GT Mustang Convertible, and “Ole Smokey” is about to get a 3rd Transmission. Dog Gone 3rd gear…again.
I love my Pony, but it’s hard on transmissions, so next move is a TKO or TKX.
I just love beating up on Camaros, and once the weak stock transmission is out and gone for the last time, we’ll go hunting Camaros again. And you Challernger folks out there, lol, y’all are funny. Love showing off Mustang tail light, and tail pipes!
Dad campaigned an R3 Daytona on the drag racing circuit in the 60s. Can’t ever forget the noise and sensation of being pinned to the back of the seat as he went through the gears.
Cool dad
It might have been different with the Larks, but with the Avantis, you couldn’t have both a supercharger and air conditioning, they occupied the same space under the hood.
Looks like he barely even drove it after commissioning the restoration according to the ebay item description. I wonder why. He’s not even going to get anywhere close to what he put into it even if he gets his full asking price , which in today’s market is questionable.
For the amount of money that was spent on a misguided attempt to beef up a T-5 (at the end of the day, it’s still a T-5), it would’ve been wiser to just step up to a TKX.
Horsepower rating has almost nothing to do with durability on at T-5, it’s torque that kills them.
All that said, thing car is great. Other than the trans, there’s nothing I’d change.
Talk about a sleeper. An unassuming little Lark becomes a Raptor with a squeeze of the throttle. Sweet.
Cool 😎
Cool car. Fantasy number.
This Stude is a very cool looking car!! I’ll bet it runs VERY WELL!!
Now, I don’t know what to do, buy this or spend an extra 10 K on the LS Porsche? Oh wait. I just remembered I don’t have the cash, but if I did one of them would be in my garage.
I’m right there with ya Joe! If I had the extra foldin’ money laying about, one of these would be in my possession.
Admittedly, I am pretty far removed from being what one might consider knowledgeable about Studebaker’s, (i know enough to be dangerous about Avanti’s and Golden Hawks) but I had no idea that something like that even existed.
This little darlin’ just drips cool. No clue as to whether the price is reasonable or not, but this thing has got to be rare.
I’m already envious of whoever buys it.
For a 34,000 dollar price tag and after all that has been done to this car,I would not sell it with a dented up radiator.Maybe a little pickey but just saw that and it stuck out.I love the car