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By 1961 the sales of the three-year-old Lark began to decline. Although it was fresh and new in 1959, it began to look aged by 1961, and it lost more and more sales to the fresh new Big 3 compacts. With increased competition from the brand new Buick Special, Olds F-85, and Pontiac Tempest, the Lark didnt have such a good year in 1961. Fortunately, new, dynamic president Sherwood H. Egbert called upon his friend Brooks Stevens of Milwaukee, WI to redesign the aging Hawk and Lark lines for 1962 on a shoestring budget. Stevens lengthened the car and added new styling that made the car look longer, lower, and wider. He also gave the Lark a new grille that gave it the appearance of a Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes was distributed by Studebaker in the US at the time). Stevenss new Lark and GT Hawk were successful, and sales increased. Studebaker was selected to pace the Indy 500 in 1962, and they hoped to supply a new Avanti to pace. Due to nagging production problems for the Avanti, Stude was forced to supply a Lark convertible (the Lark was the first compact to pace the Indy 500).Source -
The Studebaker Lark was introduced in 1959. The car had styling that contained more European flavor than American, especially with the absence of tail fins so abundant on many other American cars of its time.
The first year of its introduction was a success. The car sold well and in turn the profits were good for Studebaker. 1960 saw management and marketing changes which had a negative impact on the sale of the vehicle. In 1963, the production of vehicles by Studebaker at its main facility in South Bend, Indian, ended. In 1966, its Canadian operation ceased as well.
The first year of its introduction was a success. The car sold well and in turn the profits were good for Studebaker. 1960 saw management and marketing changes which had a negative impact on the sale of the vehicle. In 1963, the production of vehicles by Studebaker at its main facility in South Bend, Indian, ended. In 1966, its Canadian operation ceased as well.
The Studebaker Lark was produced from 1959 through 1964, which was the same year that Studebaker went out of business. The Lark was a compact car that was hoped to continue the Studebaker name and provide competition for the Big Three Automobile Manufacturers. At the time of its introduction there was little competition in the compact car market. Within a few years, this changed and the sales of the Studebaker Lark began to decline.
In 1959 and 1960 the Lark was available with either a six or eight cylinder engine. The six-cylinder 170 cubic-inch unit produced around 90 horsepower while the 259 cubic-inch V8 produced an impressive 180 horsepower. By 1962 the other automakers had caught up with Studebaker and were offering more-modern versions of the compact vehicle offered with more amenities at an affordable price. In comparison, the Lark looked very dated. For 1962 Brooks Stevens modernized the interior of the Lark and increased the overall length. Sales began to improve until a strike by the United Auto Workers Local 5 at the South Bend Plant slowed production considerably.
Throughout the following year, minor improvements were made in an effort to keep the Studebaker Lark looking modern. The wrap-around windshield was eliminated in 1963. The door and roof pillars became thinner. A stripped-down version of the Lark, called the Standard Series, was introduced in 1963 and offered as a low-cost version of the Lark. It was intended as a fleet vehicle with the interior being void of any non-essential amenities. On the exterior, the vehicle bore no nameplates, just the 'Studebaker' name could be found on the fenders. It carried a sticker-price of just $1,935 making it affordable to most buyers.
Even with all the changes for 1963, it was not a good year for the Lark with only 77,000 examples being sold. The prior year had seen 90,000 Larks produced even with the strike. For 1964, the changes to the Lark were even more drastic. The new design featured aluminum grilles and squared-off headlamp surrounds. The rear end of the vehicle incorporated horizontal tail-lamps and backup lamps. The hood was flattened, along with the trunk-lid and roofline. Despite this effort, the Lark was phased out the following year, leaving the Challenger, Commander, and Daytona to carry on the Studebaker name. Sadly, Studebaker production would cease, ending production of one of the oldest American Automobile Manufacturers. The Studebaker Company had incorporated in 1868 and entered the automotive business in 1902. Their first vehicles were electric. Gas powered machines were introduced by Studebaker in 1904. They continued in business until 1966.
In 1959 and 1960 the Lark was available with either a six or eight cylinder engine. The six-cylinder 170 cubic-inch unit produced around 90 horsepower while the 259 cubic-inch V8 produced an impressive 180 horsepower. By 1962 the other automakers had caught up with Studebaker and were offering more-modern versions of the compact vehicle offered with more amenities at an affordable price. In comparison, the Lark looked very dated. For 1962 Brooks Stevens modernized the interior of the Lark and increased the overall length. Sales began to improve until a strike by the United Auto Workers Local 5 at the South Bend Plant slowed production considerably.
Throughout the following year, minor improvements were made in an effort to keep the Studebaker Lark looking modern. The wrap-around windshield was eliminated in 1963. The door and roof pillars became thinner. A stripped-down version of the Lark, called the Standard Series, was introduced in 1963 and offered as a low-cost version of the Lark. It was intended as a fleet vehicle with the interior being void of any non-essential amenities. On the exterior, the vehicle bore no nameplates, just the 'Studebaker' name could be found on the fenders. It carried a sticker-price of just $1,935 making it affordable to most buyers.
Even with all the changes for 1963, it was not a good year for the Lark with only 77,000 examples being sold. The prior year had seen 90,000 Larks produced even with the strike. For 1964, the changes to the Lark were even more drastic. The new design featured aluminum grilles and squared-off headlamp surrounds. The rear end of the vehicle incorporated horizontal tail-lamps and backup lamps. The hood was flattened, along with the trunk-lid and roofline. Despite this effort, the Lark was phased out the following year, leaving the Challenger, Commander, and Daytona to carry on the Studebaker name. Sadly, Studebaker production would cease, ending production of one of the oldest American Automobile Manufacturers. The Studebaker Company had incorporated in 1868 and entered the automotive business in 1902. Their first vehicles were electric. Gas powered machines were introduced by Studebaker in 1904. They continued in business until 1966.
1962 Studebaker Lark |
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| Year | 1962 |
| Make | Studebaker |
| Model | Lark |
| Body Style | Daytona Eight Convertible |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Production Years for Series | 1959 - 1964 |
| Price | $2,814.00 |
| Weight | 3305 lbs | 1499.1 kg |
| Engine [Optional Engines] | |
| Engine Configuration | V |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 259.20 CU IN. | 4248.3 cc. | 4.2 L. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 180.00 HP (132.5 KW) @ 4500.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 18.4 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 42.9 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Main Bearings | 5 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| Stromberg Model WW 2-barrel carburetor | |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Transmission Information | |
| Gears | 3 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View Specifications |
| Similar Automakers |
| Add Review |
| Studebaker History |
| Other models by Studebaker |
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| 1962 Studebaker models |
| GT Hawk |
| Other Model Years |
| 1964 Commander Super Lark |
| 1963 Lark Eight Daytona Wagonaire |
| 1961 Lark |
| 1960 Lark Regal VIII |
| 1959 Lark VIII |
| Vehicle Spotlight | ||
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