The 1964 Studebaker Cruiser represented the commencement of the third generation of Studebaker’s compact model which had been known up until then as the Lark. By this stage, Studebaker had phased out the Lark name in favor of names such as the Commander, Challenger, Daytona and Cruiser designations across the compact range. This particular Cruiser is offered for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Tigard, Oregon, this Cruiser comes with a clean title and an asking price of $6,500. A big thanks go out to Barn Finder Pat L for bringing this one to our attention.
The Cruiser was the range-topping variant of the Studebaker compact range, and this particular car is a nice representative of that range. The paintwork looks to be in good condition, and the black is nicely set off by chrome and external trim that all looks to be in good condition. At first, I was worried about the finish on the hood as it looked a bit strange, but closer inspection reveals it to be water on the hood.
Under the hood is the 289ci V8 which is backed by an automatic transmission. The seller sounds like a true enthusiast. The car sports new tires, brakes, battery and they have diligently kept records of all engine maintenance. The only obvious variations from the standard that I can see under the hood are a couple of splashes of chrome on the oil cap and the air cleaner.
The interior is generally quite nice but is not perfect. There’s some creasing on the door trim vinyl and some wear on the wheel rim, but otherwise, it all looks rather nice. Personal opinion here, but I probably would have removed that spinner knob from the wheel for the photos. The seller states that there is some wear on the dash, but doesn’t provide any photos of this. I also can’t work out whether there is some discoloration of the material on the passenger side of the front seat, or whether it’s just a trick of the light. Regardless, the interior of this Cruiser looks like it would be a nice place to spend some time.
I have to say that I really quite like this Studebaker. It does appear to be in good condition, and the price seems to be quite realistic for a car of this age that really seems to have been well cared for. That’s my own opinion, but I would be interested to know what our Barn Finds readers think of it.
Very sharp! Hard to believe the underlying chassis is pure ’53 Studebaker, kingpins and all. (Some underside photos would have been nice.) I think 1964 was the last year to get a real Studebaker V8. I almost bought one of these cars some years ago but the tinworm had done too much dirty work. If this one were closer I’d be sorely tempted!
You are right, I read, this car has to be one of the last South Bend cars, with Studebaker 289 and 2 tone steering wheel. In July of ’64, all operations in South Bend were shut down and all cars were made in Canada after that. They had enough V8’s to finish the year,but had Chevy motors until the end. Studebakers without clocks, had “Studebaker of Canada” on the delete plate too. A sad end to one of the best car companies ever, and it’s important we don’t forget that. Great find.
How tiring this kind of remark continues to be. WHO cares if the chassis, or ANYTHING else dates back to 1953? The Cruiser was a very fine car. Have owned 3 1966 Cruiser’s, 1 1966 Daytona, and 1 1964 Daytona. All beautiful, and fun cars. Very underappreciated!
For half the price of a new Hyundai Accent, how could you say no?
Nice car. This nice old German couple down the street from where I grew up had one of these in brown. Their son was my social studies teacher in middle school. I remember being fascinated by it. It was so different than all of the Olds/Buicks/Chevys/Fords that everyone else had at the time.
Assuming that this example is as solid as it looks, it could be good buying.
Adam, are you aware that Studebakers of this era raced in the Armstrong 500 at Bathhurst?
I sure am Beatnik. What destroyed their chances was always brakes. They were the fastest cars up and down the mountain, but that stop at the end of Conrod Straight just fried their brakes. From memory the Lark was topping out at 125mph at the end of the straight, but the brakes just couldn’t handle the stop for 130 laps. That was the same problem that afflicted the Camaros when they first ran at the mountain.
I always suggest to any gearhead visiting Australia that they need to make the pilgrimage to Mt Panorama.
I drove around it, the first time, in 1975 in a customised XA Falcon panelvan (302/auto) and scared the crap out of my passengers, as I was driving it at around 7-8/10. Going through The Dipper was a real kick…
Afterwards, my buddies thought that it was better/safer if one of them got behind the wheel – I don’t think they believed me when I told them that I was an experienced circuit racer – LOL!
They also cracked the wheels around the bolt holes.
You don’t see these often. And with that V8 would be a lot of fun from an unusual car you won’t see at every meetup!
Don’t want to have hoards of people coming at me with pitchforks, but I would really love to have one with the factory small block Chevy engine.
my brother fitted a 327 smallblock chevy when the 283 chevy motor got smoky in his 65 Studebaker..it went well until it twisted a conrod…. have to say the stude v8 was harder to break when thrashed…
The colour was called Bermuda brown my Dad owned one of these in the 60s and to the end of the 80’s he offered to me as my first car, I’m kicking myself now RHD 289 Auto what a great car
Wayne – been driving Studes for close to 50 years – NEVER – had an issue with factory wheels – BUT – put maybe a Ford or Mopar wheel and you might have issues.
My 1963 Stude Cruiser has the factory disk brakes which came standard that year…and also has the R-1 and a factory tach along with the venation blinds.
The last US-built Studebaker came off the line in December, 1963. The Canadian plant started exporting cars to the U.S. in January 1964. The South Bend engine plant kept producing engines until the end of the 1964 model year. 1965 and 1966 Studebakers had Chevy engines built at GM of Canada’s St.Catharines engine plant.
Owned two 1964 Studebaker Daytona sedans over the years – both with the 170 Studebaker six, a Canada-only model. Powerhouses they were not, but at least the six cylinder Flightomatic started in 1st gear in Drive snd shifted to 2nd and 3rd.. The eight with column shift started in 2nd and shifted to 3rd.. The FM was built by Borg-Warner and was a descendant of Ford’s first Ford-o-Matic of 1951.
Both had a great ride and handled well. For the size of the car it was very roomy and you sat high. Both had drum brakes, no power assist, so I never tried any maneuvers that I might not be able to get out of. Both had Studebaker wheels which never gave any trouble.
They had a fuse block under the instrument panel that held two fuses (back up and interior lights) and the turn signal flasher. Windshield wipers and headlights had cicuit breakers while everything else used in-line fuses. Very easy cars to repair. The wire to the interior dome light was still cloth covered in 1964.
Stillrunners, check the video clips of the Bathurst races with the Studes running and you will see and hear the commentary about the cracked wheels. Bathurst brings out the weak spots in many cars.Bathurst was possibly the toughest touring car race in the world. I say WAS, because it is no longer a race for production cars. They’ve lost the plot of real racing now that they run Supercars.
My wife and I were passing through Indiana a couple of summers ago and made the pilgrimage to the Studebaker museum in South Bend. We were really glad we made the time. Great stop. Growing up we always had Studebaker Hawks so it was on my list of “have to’s.” The demise of this great American car company still makes me sad.
I think the 64 to 66 models were the best looking years.
If this was on the East Coast I’d have a hard time not spending part of my kid’s inheritance on this one. My favorite year of Stude. Would love this one and a final GT Hawk.
Sweet looking Studebaker. IMHO, this is the best looking Studebaker after the 1961 Studebaker model year.
How tiring this kind of remark continues to be. WHO cares if the chassis, or ANYTHING else dates back to 1953? The Cruiser was a very fine car. Have owned 3 1966 Cruiser’s, 1 1966 Daytona, and 1 1964 Daytona. All beautiful, and fun cars. Very underappreciated!
Sweet looking Studebaker. It’s a damn shame that Studebaker was on its way out as far as a car company.