On a Lark: 1960 Studebaker Lark
This car looks and sounds almost too good to be true. This 1960 Studebaker Lark is listed here on craigslist in Shepherd, Montana. The seller is asking $3,999 and “will consider reasonable offers” for this almost perfect-looking car. I could see myself buying on a Lark.
A buck less than $4,000 for a an almost perfect-looking 2-door sedan Lark with a V8?! Sure, the bumpers look like they could use re-chroming and there must be other things that it needs, but I can’t tell from the sparse number of photos provided. This car has the 259 V8 that was quite a little powerhouse in its day, going from 0-60 in a tick under 10 seconds. It looks like a single exhaust here so I’m assuming it’s the 2-barrel 180hp version of the 259 V8. None of its competitors from the big-3 – Falcon, Comet, or Valiant – would offer a V8 until 1961 so the Lark beat them to the punch. There are no engine photos but I’m guessing that it looks like this one, other than the green paint. Speaking of paint, this car has new paint, which can sometimes spell trouble with hidden bodywork.
The interior is also new. Nice, eh? Studebaker offered DeLuxe and Regal trim levels and there is no mention which one is on this car, but I believe that it’s a Regal 2-door hardtop, which is the top-line trim level for this car. The split front seats, full wheel covers, and some other clues give it away. This is a three-speed automatic here and the Lark was also available with a 3-speed manual.
There doesn’t appear to be AC on this car due to the lack of a huge, hanging, under-dash-mounted unit. This is a real find here though, in my opinion. A car in this condition would probably sell at auction for a thousand or two, or more, over the asking price if the parts that aren’t shown (under hood, trunk, backseat, underside, etc.) are in the same shape as the rest of the car. I could see myself buying this car on a lark if it showed up at an auction that I was attending and I doubt if I would have buyer’s remorse afterwards. Are you a fan of the smaller Studebaker Lark or do you prefer Studebaker’s full-size line better?
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Comments
You must have been right about the price, it’s already gone. These are cool little cars.
Well I went to buy this and the listing is gone.
This is nearly the exact car I’ve been waiting for except it’s auto. So close yet so far.
The Shell 4000 a Canadian rally was won by a Lark for the first couple years of the event. I’ve been wanting to build a tribute car for a few years.
Out of all the early 60’s compacts, this is the only one I would want. Too bad it was on the other end of the world- but someone got a steal.
This was a 2-dr hardtop! It is wearing the Regal trim level. T’was a great buy for someone!
What a great find. I guess they are still out there. There was a company that beat even Studebaker to the punch, putting a V-8 in a compact, the ’57 Rambler Rebel. Still, I think the Lark was a nicer car. I truly hope someone took advantage of this price to get a decent collector car, and not a flipper, who like Scotty sez, knows this car could bring more with a little work. Best of luck to the new owner.
This reminds me of the only car I remember my grandfather driving – a 1960 Lark. His was a dark maroon with a gray interior. He stopped driving at the young age of 66 due to failing eyesight. The car was sold in 1969 for $100.00. I remember it was in perfect condition and had very few miles on it. Thanks for the memories.
I have a ’63 Lark ragtop with the 259 V-8. It’s nicer and cost only $2300…really! I have my grandfather’s receipt from 1964!