In 1959, the compact Lark offered something no rival compact did: a V8. The smaller Rambler American, by comparison, made do with a six.
Lead trim: Lark VI 170 cu in Champion side-valve six · up to 210 hp
Studebaker Lark1959–1961
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Studebaker Lark yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactIn 1959, the compact Lark offered something no rival compact did: a V8. The smaller Rambler American, by comparison, made do with a six.
The Studebaker Lark is a compact car built from 1959 to 1966 (from 1959 to 1961 by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation, and in Hamilton, Ontario, Haifa and Australia as well as South Bend), designed around the core bodyshell of the full-size 1953–1958 Studebakers with shorter overhangs and wheelbase ahead of the firewall; it was the first car of its size to offer a V8. Initial models were two- and four-door sedans, a two-door hardtop and a two-door wagon in Deluxe and Regal trim on a 108.5 in wheelbase (113 in for wagon and Cruiser); a convertible (Studebaker's first since 1952) and a four-door wagon came in 1960, and the 113 in "Econ-O-Miler" taxi body led to the Cruiser, harking back to the Land Cruiser. Six-cylinder cars were "Lark VI" and V8s "Lark VIII"; engines were the 170 cu in (2.8 L) Champion side-valve six, the 170 Skybolt OHV six (90 hp raised to 112 hp for 1961), the 259 cu in (4.2 L) V8 (0-60 mph in about 10 seconds) and the 289 cu in (4.7 L) V8 from the Hawk as an option.
Collectors Spotted in the Studebaker Lark Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Studebaker Lark yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
4 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lark 170 cu in Skybolt OHV six (112 hp, 1961) | 1961–1961 | 2.8 L | 112 hp | 154 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| Lark 289 cu in OHV V8 (option) | 1960–1961 | 4.7 L V8 | 210 hp | 292 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| Lark VI 170 cu in Champion side-valve six | 1959–1960 | 2.8 L | 90 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
| Lark VIII 259 cu in OHV V8 | 1959–1961 | 4.2 L V8 | 180 hp | 260 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The very last Studebaker ever built — a Timberline Turquoise Cruiser sedan — rolled off the line on March 16, 1966, ending 114 years of production.
The 1963 Lark's glove box doubled as a vanity — a mirror and makeup tray tucked inside, with the word "Vanity" spelled out in gold script on the door so nobody missed it.
In 1959, the compact Lark offered something no rival compact did: a V8. The smaller Rambler American, by comparison, made do with a six.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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