This car isn’t “pink”, it’s officially Rose Mist Poly, come on, don’t call it pink! It’s a 1963 Studebaker Lark Daytona and it’s listed on eBay with a current bid price of just over $1,500 but the reserve isn’t met. It had better not be at that price. This pink.. er.. I mean, rose mist poly Lark is located in Reisterstown, Maryland.
I think this is one fine-looking automobile. I don’t know if the Barn Finds family of readers are Studebaker fans, or Studebaker Lark fans, but I sure am. This grille is so detailed, so classy, so crisp and clean, like a well-tailored suit.
That’s such a great profile! I wish I had a profile like that. I can see a few wrinkles and dents/dings, but there isn’t much rust showing on this Lark. The seller says that it’s a “very solid California car.” It obviously needs a little work but hopefully there isn’t any hidden rust to deal with, just some metal magic and mechanical work.
This is only one of two interior photos, but they show nicely, if not maybe too close-up to see any general expanses of the space. There are all kinds of parts available to restore anything that this interior may need.
I’m assuming that at least the front seat bottoms are torn otherwise there’d be a photo of them. I like to think in worst-case-scenario terms when looking at vehicles online, it’s easier than going in like everything is perfect, especially when critical photos are missing, and then being disappointed when it shows up on the trailer a few days and $1,000 later.
As you can see, this 259 cubic-inch V8 has been modified to have the spark plugs on top of the intake manifold. No wait, what’s going on there?!.. Weird. The important thing is that the engine and engine compartment both look super clean and tidy and the seller says the “engine is the numbers matching original and will run.” This one should have had 180 hp and it doesn’t sound like it would take a lot of work to get it running fine again. This looks like a great car to me, are there any other fans of these V8 Larks?
$1500…isn’t that about what it was when new?
My mother had bought one of these new to share with her mother. It had 3 on the tree which was so foreign to me, yet so cool at the same time. She got rid of it in ’76.
Probably about $2500, $1500 in today’s money is about $12,000.
Nice solid Stude. It looks to be an easy job to make this a daily driver.
Curious as to why the ignition switch is hanging down below the dash and not fitted in place. Initial thought is someone’s lost the keys and been hot wiring ??
The pot metal switch retainers have a habit of failing after 20 or more years. Replacements are available.
One of my favorite Studes, and that’s a good price too.
If I were to buy it and do anything crazy with it I’d put in a Skytop (which was an option), and MAYBE convert it to a 4 speed and put disk brakes on it (both of which were also options).
If I were to buy a 63 Stude that I was going use for a daily driver this model would be the one.
If the state of modern politics doesn’t make the point, the way people sell cars on Ebay and elsewhere ought to. We are a nation made up of people with some very different ways and ideas.
Sell a car on Ebay with the plugs out, the hood ajar, bad and limited pix, and a description that in no way conveys whether the car drives or how well? Other than it is a “solid” car? What is a solid car?
Now that Im done byatching about the ad…sorry really irks me………I love the color of the car…………
Yup, My daily driver from decades ago – 1966 Daytona 2 door. 283 Chev/Pontiac Studebaker V8 with an auto ( Ford O/Cruise O). Was a pretty quick car much like my old 283 Nova from high school days. I would buy/build another if I came across one. Always liked ’em. :-) Terry J
I like the air-scoop at the front. I thought they were smaller and not full width, but it’s a Studebaker. Studebaker was always different and ahead of its time.
perhaps the plugs are on the manifold just to show you that they can indeed come out? i know on my firebird there was always one plug that was crazy hard to get out. first time i had it out it was obvious it has not been replaced in quite some time
Friend had one…it was his mother’s..lots of good memories
I thought the freshening they received in ’64 with the headlights integrated into the grill gave them a much more contemporary look.
http://13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/00Z0Z_31ByFnnI7Jb_600x4501.jpg
I agree, Brooks Stevens did a masterful job with that refresh, but I prefer the 63’s because to me they have more character.
That is one nice looking car, never seen a roof like that. Thanks for the picture.
If the price stays anyway near this, somebody is going to get a nice cruiser at a bargain price. Cars like this are why I come back everyday.
True – I do like the 63 Daytona coupe by far – but do love my 64 Daytona coupe 4 speed….my 63 Cruiser makes up with R1 power and about 54,000 original miles…sadly it was put out to pasture by the inheritance…
This a “solid car” to put back on the street…..mechanics is easy part.
These are really good cars if they’re not consigned to the Rust Belt, where they would disintegrate in front of your eyes over lunch hour. 259 V8 is economical on gas, powerful and very tough. Front fenders are rusted in the usual place on the open seam by the door. Either find new ones or pop them off and rebuild with new metal. I love Larks, learned to drive on one, and I hope this one goes to a caring home where it will be cleaned, properly maintained, and driven.
At that time,Studebaker-Packard was the US distributor for Mercedes-Benz,hence the style of the grille….
Interesting story in the April 2017 issue of COLLECTIBLE AUTOMOBILE of the collaboration between Studebaker and Porsche to develop a new car based on the 356 for the U.S.A.
These are small enough to move well in traffic plus the 360 vision is great! Fun driver for the whole famly to enjoy. I used one from a friend when my motor was being rebuilt. Nice driver/crusier that can be used as an everyday driver that can keep up with traffic on the highway. Comfortable for long drives. I am trying to talk my wife into one for her everyday car.
That looks kinda like the one in my garage!
Doh! Here’s the picture! 69K original miles and original interior. New-ish paint. (Grandpa bought it new!)
I love your Studebaker. I have always been a fan of Studebakers, especially Larks. I also love Harry’s Hofbrau. Harry’s is located in San Jose California. Saratoga Ave, and Steven’s Creek Blvd. They have amazing food there.
Love to have a true factory “Skytop” Model. The number of these produced were very low and like the wagonaire sliding roof wagons survivability was next to none due to the vulnerability of rust. They were like the volkswagon beetle sliding roofs just prone to rust. It is always interesting to see what options that people chose on cars in the day. One of the last one of the skytops I saw available for sale and restoration a couple of years ago was a bottom of the line 4dr sedan with 6 cyl engine and standard transmission