Most of Studebaker’s production in 1964 was conducted in Hamilton, Ontario. That’s because the company shuttered its South Bend, Indiana plant due to rising costs and shrinking product demand. The Daytona convertible was one of the rarest cars built that year, which saw about 700 copies leave the assembly line. In generally nice condition but needing a few things done, this drop-top has been living in Campbell, California. It’s available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $11,211 without triggering the reserve (the Buy It Now Price is $19,500).
The Daytona began as the Lark compact in 1959, which brought new sales and profits to the beleaguered Studebaker. The Packard division had been cancelled the year before and the company needed fresh blood. By 1963, the field was flooded with compacts, so demand for the Lark had quickly waned. For 1964, it morphed into the Challenger, Commander, and Daytona depending on the trim level. The cars had a larger silhouette thanks to some nifty styling updates provided by designer Brooks Stevens. As the mainstay of the company, these former Larks made the cut when the plug was pulled on South Bend around Christmas 1963.
This sweet ’64 Daytona drop-top has only had three owners and much of its service records have been maintained over the years. It’s a good running car with a 289 cubic inch V8, Studebaker’s largest engine, which is paired with an automatic transmission. The latter has been rebuilt, along with the carburetor. New or newer parts include the power steering pump, driveshaft, bushings, brakes, and rear leaf springs. A few to-dos are remaining on the fix-up list, including the convertible top and its operating mechanism.
The white paint reads like a redo with a little scratch here and there. The seats should be reupholstered, and the seller is sending the materials needed to complete the job. You’ll even get the car cover that’s been kept over the Stude while it’s in the garage when not in use. This automobile has air conditioning which looks like an add-on, but the belt appears to be missing which means it might not be in working order. At only 700 copies when this Studebaker was new, how many could there be left today – and in this condition?
Nice car and a fair price for a solid CA car.You’r gonna sink a few more bucks into it but you’ll have one unique drop top that has cool body lines imo.Just a different kind of look that works for me.glwts.
Thanks for a great article on a super nice Studebaker…Fortunately there’s a lot of Studebaker parts and resources to keep them on the road! Studebaker actually built a 304 V8 engine- it was part of their 232/259/289/ 304 family… Not sure but it think it was for the Avanti only.
The 304 was the R3/R4, but it wasn’t a regular “production” engine, meaning very, very few made it into personal cars. The R3 was blown, the R4 had dual quads. Built in CA, dyno’d and shipped to South Bend for installation. There are a few out there. I rode home from the hospital after birth in a 50 Commander convert, I still have the original small split glass back window from when my dad replaced the top in the 50’s This is a nice appearing Lark!
Today , Studebaker’s are rarely seen . They were a low cost car but did offer some features unlike other automakers . Even so , Studebaker struggled in its final years resulting in diminishing sales and loss of profits . Probably , the biggest reason being that they could no longer ” compete ” with the big three automakers like Ford and G.M. In 1966 , Studebaker closed it’s doors for good and as the saying goes : The rest is history !!
I wouldn’t consider my white 1963 Hawk with red interior a low cost car when I bought it on May 11, 1963. The OTD price less taxes with A/T, PS, R&H, 4 barrel carb, undercoating, WW tires and transportation was
$3,728.57. It was comfortable and surprisingly economical for long haul road trips on the then expanding Interstates and better than most Detroit iron on twisty roads. It stayed in the family for nine years. Despite a habit of eating mufflers and tailpipes, it was as reliable as the morning sunrise.
When the factory warranty expired, I found a muffler shop that gave lifetime warranties. Probably would have kept it longer if I had specified A/C when I bought it (yes, the factory A/C was under the dash and looked like an aftermarket unit).
I was born in the back seat of a ‘49 Studebaker, delivered by my maternal grandmother. Mom & Dad kept it long enough for me to remember it but it’s long gone. This one will be a sweet ride for the new owner.
The 304 was optional and I know of least one that was built that way.
Looks like the AC is DOA. Not surprising, a modern add on will be superior. However I have about 12 cans of R12 in case the owner want to resurrect it!
Very cool car. Restore it top to bottom and show it off to admiring crowds!
I agree Kurt. Back in 1959, my Dad bought a new Studebaker Scotsman 2dr station wagon. Cool looking car but sad to say, it was a lemon. Had to rebuild the 6cyl. after only 25k or so. Rotating speedo was cool though. Wish I had it today, would leave it stock appearing but upgrade the drive train (certainly NOT a sbc or ls). Saw a pro-street 58 wagon about 20 years ago. Kinda cool looking.
Its no Corvette or Hot Rod . But will turn heads on a Wednesday Night Cruise. Just needs a little interior TLC.
We had a 62 Daytona when I was in high school in the early 60s, not a convertible though. It was a nice driving and reliable car. I could see myself driving this convertible today if I could get the AC working. It’s something you don’t see everyday.
1958 to 1966 Studebaker A/C units were all mounted under the dash, as on this one. It IS the correct factory supplied A/C, not aftermarket. Looks like a mostly rust-free car, but both rear edges of the front fenders appear to have been repaired incorrectly years ago, and will need to be removed and repaired correctly [metal welded in, not plastic filler].
As someone who ran a shop specializing in Studebakers, and a former owner of 2 Daytona convertibles [’62 & ’63] I can tell you the ’64 is quite a rare vehicle, and if the overall description is accurate, this is a good deal.
A 1964 Daytona convertible with factory A/C is extremely rare, I would estimate less than a dozen convertibles came off the line with A/C. Almost everything is available [either NOS or reproduction parts] for this car, including the missing turn/park light lenses. I’m a bit surprised that as a top-line convertible, well optioned, it never had a clock! These cars are reliable, simple to work on, and easy on fuel. Compared to other 1964 makes of cars, the mechanical parts are often downright cheap.
25 years ago I would have snapped this up, hopped a plane to the west coast, made sure it was in decent running condition, and driven it back to the east coast with a stop in South Bend to buy whatever parts the car needed. Today, I’m getting rid of cars, not buying more, and I don’t have a place to work on it.
My kind of a car. Studebaker. Is this car located in Hamilton ?
Please advise Ron Riegle Email or Phone 905 871-7635
With Thanks Ron
Doesn’t work that way Ron. You have to contact the seller directly.
Per the ebay listing “Located in: Campbell, California, United States”
What a beautiful looking car!
I own a 1964 Studebaker Daytona convertible. They are one of the rarest and most desirable final models of Studebaker. My convertible gets a lot of attention at cruise nights and car shows. However, be aware the listed Daytona requires quite a bit work to bring it up to par. Most parts are readily available.
these all ways remind me of my ‘bread box’ (440 American ’61/3) er, ah – rectangle box w/the vert. Mine hada blk vert. (dont C 1 here but it’s gota blue cover…
A ‘compact’ like this Studie – so roomy compaired w/ a Fit or other modern import of that ilk. An i6 so smooth folks @ curb side thought it stalled out when stopped @ the lights. I’m liken the 100 inch WB ‘rolly polly’ 1st gen even more (for style) not amc but nash (famous from the song “Beeb beep”, the hopped up model challenging the caddy owner singing the song).
Sorry … we don’t speak Klingon.
The Daytona was new in 62, not 59. The 64 line up also included top of the line, the Cruiser. The Challenger, built only as a 64, was initially called the Lark Challenger. There was a Super Lark as well, similar to a Daytona. Packard was the controlling partner in the merger, as it purchased Studebaker, but the roles got reversed as Packard sales declined, while Studebaker remained the “big producer”.