Vehicle Description
1962 Studebaker Daytona Lark
There is some myth and mystery circling around the use of the
Studebaker Lark as the 1962 pace car for the Indianapolis 500. It
revolves around a falsehood that the Avanti was going to be the
pace car and at the last minute, the Lark was substituted. PR
photos showing dignitaries at the Speedway next to the Lark were
taken months before and so were all the decisions that go into the
graphics on the pace car. So anytime you hear the Avanti was going
to be the car, and at the last minute was scrubbed, this is
patently untrue, due to the timing of the taking of the photos with
the Lark and the graphics which had been painted on months in
advance of the race.
For consignment, a 1962 Studebaker Lark convertible with painted on
graphics of the 1962 Indianapolis 500 pace car. Owned by our
consigner for the last 30 years, this car has beautiful paint, no
rust, a recently rebuilt 289ci V8, a like new interior, and of
course the graphics. A not oft seen example and with the graphics
makes it highly desirable even if it isn't one of the real pace
cars.
Exterior
Our Lark for consignment arrives with dual headlights in a nicely
chromed bezel and overhanging chrome trimmed visors that are molded
from the front quarters. In the center of the egg crate grille, and
it has some of the likeness of the Mercedes Benzes of yore with its
wide chromed surround the rounded off square design. A pristine
bumper is below. As the front quarters turn the corner from the
dual headlight visor, to a side trim spear that widens with a flair
just aft of the door handles and continues on in "thin mode" to the
back of the car. The white paint is all excellent with no rust seen
and gaps aligned fairly nicely for its age. A polished stainless
windshield surround is framing some gently curved front glass and
windows and door sills sport the chrome as well. A power top in
black canvas needs some help going up and down but does achieve
both positions. On back, the squared off trunk deck rolls between
the rear quarters and their rounded top edges create the shiny
bezel for the visored taillights in their round form. Just below is
the oval backup lights and another pristine bumper that frames the
bottom rear roll pan of this car. S T U D E B A K E R badging runs
across the trunk lid and a centrally located fuel filler cap in in
the center just below the badging. Studebaker S badged dog dish
wheels are wrapped in wide whites on all 4 corners. Of course, the
star of the show is the painted on graphics in all its two tone
black and red glory.
Interior
Talk about classy 60's design, the interior, for which Studebaker
has been known to use innovative materials and textures, makes no
mistakes about it as it is "swanky" with its black and white door
panels and shiny handles and cranks. These frame the front buckets
which are low back, nice and wide, and have white smooth vinyl
inserts with black bolsters. A rear bench is mimicking these
buckets, and all is just looking great as to condition and
cleanliness. A small black vinyl covered center console is an
armrest, and the ash receptacle holder. Upfront is a faux wood
grain dash front housing a trio of round gauges in front of the
original steering wheel. A ribbed stitched rounded front padded
dash in black vinyl is above this panel, and in the center the dash
front changes to more of this ball smooth padded paneling and it
houses the radio. The wood continues over top the passenger side
where it forms a glovebox with the black padding above and below.
White pulls and knobs are seen lining up below the instruments and
all is well with this simple but effective dash. Black carpeting in
excellent condition floods the floors. A shout to the back of the
buckets also styled with black stitched horizontal ribbed vinyl,
and a shiny ash receptacle built right onto the backs for the rear
passengers...smoke 'em if ya got 'em!
Drivetrain
Peering under the hood, and within a pristine carefully restored
engine bay is a black painted block with yellow valve coverings
289ci V8. A single 4-barrel carburetor is atop, and a correct
3-speed Flight-O-Matic, (don't you just love these 60's
transmission names!), automatic. A 3.07 axle is bringing up the
rear.
Undercarriage
Nearly all rust free, save for some surface rusting on the pipes
for the exhaust. All nicely painted black X framing, floor pans and
rockers. Front suspension which is an independent coil spring
design all clean and nicely presenting, as well as the rear leaf
springs and all around drum brakes are seen. A glass pack style
exhaust system is on.
Drive-Ability
This wonderful car's test drive came from a lark my decoder and I
had about driving around the test track with the top down! So, we
did and it did just great on the performance front, all functions
working swimmingly, and the top moved but needed assistance. Bias
free panic stopping, and good handling with little body flex
despite it being a convertible.
Plenty of WOW factor with this snazzy pace car graphics,
convertible top and 60's Studebaker styling. A rust free example,
with wonderful shiny trimmings, and wide whites all around, drivers
start your engines!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
