Had as much space as a full-size American for its time, only in a shorter frame and less chrome.
European influence?
When the Studebaker Lark was launched as a 1959 model, it represented a completely different school from other American cars. The Lark had as much interior space as a full-size car, and you could get it with a V8 engine – but it was shorter and more compactly built than contemporary American models. It had the class of a finer European car – like Lancia, Rover and Mercedes-Benz.
Engines
Cars with 6-cylinder engines were called Lark VI (6), while cars with V8 were called Lark VIII (8). The straight-six was from the start a flathead L-top, but from model year 1961 Lark got an upgraded engine with OHV. The V8 option was also updated in 1961 from a 259 V8 engine to a more powerful 289 cubic inch engine that could also be had with a supercharger (R2 V8).
Model history
The model was produced as a 4- and 2-door sedan, convertible and as a station wagon, called the Wagonaire. Production in South Bend, Indiana continued from the model's inception until the Studebaker factory closed at the end of 1963. Thereafter, production continued in Ontario, Canada, then under the name of Studebaker Daytona og Checkout.
Visible changes over the years:
From 1962: Increased wheelbase and length
From 1963: Changed glass house – more glass and thinner pillars
From 1964: Full-covering grill that includes double spotlights
About the pictures
There are 8 Studebaker Larks, 2 Studebaker Daytonas and 1 Studebaker Commander according to the car register. It's not often you get to see them on the road. The car in the pictures here was taken by Jonny Bunæs near Lervik in Østfold. The car is an VIII with a V8 engine
- probably a 1962 model when the model had an increased wheelbase.
Click on an image to view in a larger format.
Copyright notice
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