Having been a new model myself in 1962, I’m partial to cars from that year like this 1962 Studebaker Lark which was all new, or mostly new, for 1962. This super desirable – for me at least – car is on Craigslist in the Riverside, California area and the seller is asking $5,500. This will be a major score for someone. Thanks to Pat L. for submitting this fantastic find.
The new, second-generation Studebaker Lark came out for the 1962 model year and although it was more evolution than revolution there were enough changes that made it a nicer car overall, thanks to designer Brooks Stevens and his team. I still prefer the look of the first-generation Lark but this car would be great to own. One possible issue: the seller says that the “car is “out of the system” which is actually good, the VIN needs to be verified, and a few hundred dollars and it’s good to go.” So add that to the mix, and to the price.
This car looks so good for being a $5,500 car, doesn’t it? I mean, condition-wise? I realize that not everyone is as enamored with the Studebaker Lark as I am. This is a “Second owner, low mileage car with 54,000 miles. This is the base model 2 door sedan, with dog dish hubcaps. Black Plate, Inland California car, zero rust.” They go on to say that “Some would say this is a “barn find”, somewhat accurate as it was parked in a garage in 1973 or 74. I purchased from the original owner a few years ago, did some work to it and drove it around the neighborhood, then life happened and I parked in my barn.”
The interior will need a bit of help as the California sun has taken a toll on some of the fabrics and the dash top. That almost couldn’t be a more simple, less-adorned dash. The fun part is that this car is a three-speed manual with a column shifter. I have never driven a three-on-the-tree with a V8, I wonder what that’s like?
Oh yeah, did I mention that this car has a 259 cubic-inch V8 in it? It does and here it is. This engine would have had around 140 hp and supposedly it runs but this car will need to be towed to the next owner because it’s been sitting for a few years. The “engine starts right up and runs excellent. New re-cored Radiator and related hoses, belt, etc. I flushed the fuel tank, installed a new fuel pump and related hoses and fuel filter.” But, they say “however I would recommend towing it home; it’s been parked a long time.” It’s running in the photo above and it sure looks pretty clean for being as old as I am. I think this would be a great car for anyone jumping into the old car hobby, but it would be an even better car for me!
I have driven half ton pick ups with three on the tree. Better than an automatic, but not really fun. That is why a lot of owners converted them to a floor shifter. Less chance of blowing that 2nd to 3rd shift when you were getting it on at the lights.
For those that are into design study (probably all of us), the Teague lineage carryover to Chrysler is fun to watch. The Lark with the V8 was well ahead of Valiant. However, the Valiant had a three-on-the-floor that had an awkward 2-3 gate.
What a time for the industry to create excitement in design and powertrains. Fender mounted mirrors? Pretty euro for the time. Neat.
I seem to recall having read somewhere that Mercedes Benz had a say in the management of Studebaker at this stage , hence the look of the grill. Is it true ?
Not quite, but close. It may be hard for those not steeped in auto history to believe, but in the mid ’50s Mercedes Benz was not significant in the US market, in fact they weren’t doing well at all. In ’57 they made an agreement with Studebaker for distribution rights in the US market. The distribution subsidiary within Studebaker became staffed mostly by former Packard execs and they grew the dealer network well enough that by ’63 Mercedes felt comfortable enough to buy back the distribution rights and form their own subsidiary to continue the growth in market presence. Mercedes didn’t have any management involvement with Studebaker per se. The grille design of the Lark can be realistically traced back to the mid ’50s Hawks which is a style probably borrowed from something, though nobody alive today would likely have first hand knowledge of whence it came.
Scotty, if I may make a correction here. The 259 was rated at 180 horsepower with a 2 barrel and 195 with a 4 barrel.
Fascinating the way we make connections Scotty. ’62 is significant to you as a birth year, for me it’s the year I first got a driver license.
I see this as a perfect platform for a ’60s style gasser (gasp, horrors!…….ah get over it). Ala “The Flintstone Flyer” of Dave Koffel, albeit a few years later body. Reason being is I was active in drag racing, at what is now known as “sportsman” level, even owning and driving a ’39 Chev coupe in H/Gas at the old San Fernando strip. Fond memories that………..
Oh Yeahhhhhh Big Daddy. Pulp, Rock, and Chef fame. Any gasser pilot is a hero of mine. Then I’d have to add altered pilots as well.
And… You raced on real live pavement versus the ‘glue trap tracks’ of today.
Uncle Bob, did your ’39 Chevy coupe run a Jimmy? In ’66, one of my brother’s friends bought an H/G ’39 Chevy two-door sedan with a 303 inch GMC, five-jug long (with only three Stromberg 97s), Fenton cast iron header system, LaSalle trans and a Caddy rear end. It was my first experience at the wheel of a gasser.
Like you, I have fond memories of the Pond, although the Beach was my ‘home’ track until it closed in ’72. Harry Hibler was one of the nicest folk I’ve had the honour of knowing, along with M/T, CJ Hart and Larry Sutton.
I thought the Flintstone Flyer was pretty cool at the time, but methinks this example should probably be left, as is.
Ah, kindred spirits. Yes, my coupe had a 302 GMC, three Carter 2GCs on a 5 carb manifold with two blocked off, Herbert roller cam, Howard valve train, Nicson cast iron headers, and a D&F built hydro. 10% engine setback, aluminum sheet firewall, single bucket seat. Thinking back it was a bit crude, but for a kid in the late sixties it was good stuff. Hibler ran a good show. Lions? Here’s a pic for ya….this was a couple years before I owned it.
Yeah, this Stude could make a nice street sleeper too.
Thanks for posting that pic, Uncle Bob.
That track meant a lot to this SoCal kid, and it took me another four years before I went drag racing (at the original Irwindale). I still have a ‘Help Save Lion’s Drag Strip’ poster in my office. I’ve been told by a number of old Lion’s regulars that it may be the last one in existence.
Maybe a swap to an R3 might make this Struedel-braker the ultimate sleeper?
An R3 spec would be just too right!
I drive a ‘65 comet Caliente sedan with a 3 speed (well she’s at home now since I’m away at college). The guy before me blew the original 289, only like 49k after being in storage since 1990. He dropped in a 302 out of a 1971 Torino. But, 3 speed with a V8 – VERY torquey and fun
My 66 Caliente 2 door hardtop was the same, David: previous 289 replaced with a 302, but automatic.
Had it had the manual, I would have it still. Reverse went out on it and I was unemployed and had to sell it, but it gave six years of great service 1974-80.
V-8 ,with 3 speed on the column , its just fun, and the downshift from 3rd to second, its the best! Sorry you missed it.
I always found it interesting that California used the I on the black and yellow plates, but no plate after that.
As long as the “Pink Slip” title is in hand and the numbers match on the builder’s plate, it should be no issue to get titled/registered in Nevada. I recently titled a car theat had been sitting in the back of my garage for close to 20 years with nothing more than the signed pink slip from California. The DMV did do a search on the stolen vehicle database, which is often done with a car that has been unregistered and fallen out of the system.
The main reason I would have the vehicle towed has nothing to do with how well the engine runs –
the BRAKES should not be trusted on any vehicle that has sat undriven for a long period of time. Brake fluid attracts water, and usually the brake system will have corrosion issues after long periods of disuse, as the rubber seals tend to deteriorate over time.
I can see by the lever under the dashboard that this car also has overdrive.
It appears that I see an overdrive lockdown switch on the throttle linkage. This would make this car even better to drive, and with the overdrive, the gas mileage should be great. Those 259 inch engines were amazing in that respect, especially with Overdrive
Yeah, the OD actually makes this thing into a 5-speed if you drive it right. 1st – 2nd – 2ndOD – 3rd – 3rdOD. Below 30MPH, you can shift 1 to 2 then 2 to3 without using the clutch. I drive my 57 Stude truck like that all the time. After a while, it’s just 2nd nature. And the column shift? Adjust right, it’s just too easy.
Neat….bro had the 6 and 3 on the tree he and SRV rode in to Metropolitan – the alternative school in Big D in the early 70’s. I’d be a little pre-juice as I took my little 259 factory 4 speed Daytona all over town today to two car shows….tough little cars these are…..lotsa new parts still around.
Omg!!! This is my car hahahah, I am the 4th owner! So glad I found this!