“Are you a collector or looking to own a piece of American history! This beautiful Stude is in good working condition!” And that’s it for this listing – nothing more is written. Well, it doesn’t matter, check this one out! I will admit to not having given Studebaker’s Lark (1959-1963) much thought, but the condition of this Minden, Nevada-domiciled 1960 example is making me rethink that transgression. This car’s fine presentation and noted inherent simplicity give me a new perspective on Studebaker’s successful compact. We have T.J. to thank for discovering this listing, and it’s available here on craigslist for $7,500.
The Lark sorta, kinda continued on in ’64 through to Studebaker’s 1966 demise, but it underwent a significant facelift and was renamed the Daytona. Back to the Lark, there were two generations, the first spanning 1959 through 1961 (our subject car) and then Gen II, 1962-1963. Further designations were Lark VI for six-cylinder equipped cars (not IV as our listing states) and Lark VIII for V8 models. Body styles included sedans, station wagons, a convertible, and a two-door hardtop. Studebaker knocked out about 63K Lark VIs in ’60, with 24K being two-door sedans.
Now, you know, I like green; a green car will get my attention every time. But I dunno about this shade of pea green – I’ll withhold judgement. I will say that the finish is in nice shape, the body is arrow straight, there’s no rust in sight, and it’s just the chrome plating on the bumpers that’s a bit thin – but not bad, mind you.
A flathead six, generating 90 gross HP from 169 CIs of displacement, is what powers this Lark. How’s it run? Your guess is as good as mine, though there is that “good working condition” business that’s mentioned. The engine compartment certainly gets points for looking clean and complete. The transmission is listed as “other”, but the third pedal tells us that it’s a three-speed (three-on-the-tree) manual gearbox.
Interior-wise, it’s just the basics. An instrument panel doesn’t get much simpler than what we have here. If you note the radio location, it appears to be an add-on, as the factory location was where the aluminum block-off plate is positioned in the center of the dash. From what can be seen, the green vinyl upholstery and matching carpet are in good nick; possibly replaced?
I can really appreciate the simplicity and genuineness of a car like this Lark; unfortunately, we’re not likely to see anything like this, at least not in this country, offered again – oh for the days… What do you think about the price? Buy it on a lark for $7,500?
I’ve never been a huge Stude fan, but if one styling generation grabs my eye it’s these `59-`61 Models. Clean, uncluttered, simple but effectively built. From a looks standpoint, I love the rear of the wagons–especially 2dr. varieties. This one looks original enough and no rust anywhere. It would make a good starting point for anyone just entering the hobby. I can’t argue the price; most anything today worth buying is at least twice this amount.
One could only wish the powers that be made a car this simple these days. This one looks pretty well preserved. I don’t know if that is the original color, but it doesn’t do ti for me. I wonder if it was more like the color on the dash. It also looks like something going on with the heater, being its not hooked up. But at least it does have one, it may have been an option on these. These were one of the few compacts that came with a full frame, no uni-body here. It looks like a lotta car (and a lotta fun) for the asking price, and you could work on this one yourself.
Don’t blame the powers that be blame the automakers. They can’t make money off simple cars anymore. Or so they say. The Japanese and Koreans seem to do it just fine.
Not an exciting car but a reasonable and affordable transportation option for its time. It’s too bad Studebaker couldn’t find a way to survive. They tried pulling a rabbit out of a hat with the Avanti but it was too late by then.
My grandfather’s last car was one of these. He sold it in 1965 looking as clean as this one.
It ended up on a local dragstrip with a huge engine and a straight axel and the rear wheel wells cut out to accommodate a set of cheater slicks. My uncle said it ran the local tracks in the area for many years.
Does anyone else remember a Hot Rod magazine article back in the 1980’s about a guy who raced a Lark (maybe a 61) that had some kind of stroker 500 Caddy engine? For some reason after all these years that popped into my head.
I think I found the article (with photos) you’re looking for.
Originally published in the August 1983 issue of Hot Rod magazine:
What A Lark! 1960 Studebaker Lark
Larry Hale’s Unique Combination for 10-Second Quarters is a 1960 Studebaker Lark with 500 Inches of Eldorado Engine
https://www.hotrod.com/features/what-a-lark-august-1983-982-1164-82-1
Here’s the article:
https://www.hotrod.com/features/what-a-lark-august-1983-982-1164-82-1
My 1st car was a ’60 4 door version of this. Mine had been a State of CA pool car with no telling how many miles. Paid $750.00 for it after working 2 summers in a fruit packing plant. Drove the heck out of that car and 60 yrs later still miss it.
This car was our nemesis. I read, this car cost about $2300 new. A 1960 Rambler Classic was about $2,050, the least expensive car in America. So we had that on Studebaker, but like Ramblers in Wisconsin, Studebakers dominated in sales in the Hoosier( maybe Ohio) but remained a “regional” car. I always remember a Lark being followed by a cloud of smoke, Ramblers not much better. I believe it was the non-maintained 6 cylinders that smoked the most. Larks and Ramblers ruled the back rows of the Big 3 used car lots. Many trading these in on that new Ford,GM, or Chrysler, that were light years ahead for a comparable price.
As usual, an amazing find, but needs an automatic. That’s right, I haven’t given up on that, no takers, you’ll see.
Howard, wouldn’t the `60 Rambler American have been the cheapest? The Classic was larger with more equipment. On a related note, I once read that during the `58 Recession, the only cars to gain sales that year were the new 4-seater Thunderbirds, and the Rambler American! And I can understand why on both.
Hi Will (autobug2,,ha, ha,,oh, oh) it was close. I read, the 1960 American sold for about $2059, and the 4 door Classic, about $2089. Thing is, the American was a much more wanted car, and a better deal probably could have been made on the Classic. The Classic and the Lark attracted the same buyers. It should be noted, the least expensive US made car. I believe the VW Bug was the cheapest car sold in America.
These sure are underrated and underappreciated cars. The Stude club I am in is amazing and I always encourage younger classic car enthusiasts to check out the independent marques. It will sadden me, but I will be parting with my tan colored 60 Lark soon. The 259 and 3 on the tree wit OD sure does scoot!
Cool car and only 30 minutes away. Hmmm.
The first car I officially bought myself was a ’61 IV 2 door just like this one, but Robin Egg Blue. Got it from a broke college kid for $15 with a blown clutch. Was the OHV engine. My dad had a fit and wouldn’t allow me to have it at our place, so towed it (#1 use for log chains in Iowa) to friends farm. Dad relented (or mom pressured him) and brought home, put a clutch in it and I was in heaven. Oil light came on at idle so figured the mains were shot. But for less than $100, who cared. Unfortunately, my dad did. Came home from school in time to see him taking the engine down the street with our tractor to the machine shop to overhaul the engine. Drove it for 2 years but didn’t really like it outside of being my first car. As a teenager in the ’65-67 era, the back seat just didn’t cut it. Graduation nite dad gave me a choice, mom’s ’55 Chevy 2 dr. sedan, fix a dented fender on the Stude, or a ’58 Ford Convertible w/new top and red/white paint. Decider was the Ford Police Interceptor engine and a bigger back seat. Dropped the Stude on a guy for $50 and never looked back. Now I wish I had the space as now I appreciate the Stude.
Wow. This made me recall when I bought a new Ford Maverick base two door with an MSRP total of $1995. It had no options, but turned out to be one the most dependable cars I have owned. Can you see that basic body from on this Stude dating back to the original ’53 Commander? Boy did South Bend know how to cut costs!
That was a 1970 Ford Maverick in my previous comment.
I like this even more than that pink car…lol
Beautiful car. 1959 through 61 are my favourite years for the Studebaker Lark. If only more pictures were posted of this car.
The late 50’s and early 60’s were the start of the compact cars. Stude just chopped off the front and rear of their recently designed cars to build a compact.
In 1961, I wanted a new compact car. The Corvairs were a little way out there with the rear engine, the Falcons were ugly to me, but the Valiants and the Larks interested me. My Dad decided on a Valiant which I wish I still had. Great little compact car which sat 6 slim youngins.
This is really a nice looking little Lark, to appreciated for its simplicity.
My sister, a schoolteacher, drove a 1959 Studebaker Lark, 6 cylinder, standard shift (but hers had the AM radio) for years upon years upon years. She finally retired it in 1986, because it was badly rotted-out around the cowl vents — a typical Studebaker problem from 1947 on forward. Her Lark was simple, not all that comfortable to ride in, and screamingly utilitarian. She also drove that 1986 Ford Taurus on which she traded the Lark in, for many years — until rust also took it out. She presently has a 2007 Jeep.
I had a black 59 lark 2 door hardtop, had factory pleated red vinyl upholstery, flat head six three speed with OD, the little six kept blowing head gaskets, I had the head milled and the problem went away.