Vehicle Description
1959 Studebaker Lark
Every muscle car enthusiast knows what an STP sticker looks like.
But is there a Studebaker tie-in? Yes. STP oil treatment was first
introduced in 1952 as a product of Chemical Compounds Inc. of St.
Joseph, Missouri. An abbreviation for Scientifically Treated
Petroleum, STP was a thriving business when Studebaker president
Sherwood Egbert acquired the company and trademark on March 1,
1961. The claim that STP stands for Studebaker Transmission
Products is just a myth. That said, after the 1961 acquisition, the
STP trademark was briefly co-opted to stand for Studebaker Tested
Products. Soon after, Egbert realized the popular oil supplement
was best kept as a standalone brand. STP, under the leadership of
Andy Granatelli was a strong source of profits and positive PR
through its many Indy 500 attempts and active support of all facets
of professional motorsports.
For consignment, we are keeping in tune with the Studebaker
affinity for avian species, we give you the Lark. A smaller car
with a big interior that now seats 5 passengers comfortably. This
car has been beautifully restored and updated with all areas being
meticulously attended to and no stone left unturned. A fine running
and looking great 1959 Lark with a score of 198 out of 200 at the
International Studebaker meet in 1980, 2nd place at the Allentown
Indoor Customs Show, and was on display for a year at the Hershey
antique car museum in 2019.
Exterior
Boxy but with rounded corners would best describe the design for
this car, and it was intentional. Intentional because they wanted
to fit room for the passengers to fit inside comfortably, and in
order to do so, needed as much space for that interior. All steel
straight panels sprayed with Rallye Green, then snazzy clean chrome
was attached. Pay particular attention to the beltline mini swoop
spear, which literally runs from above the headlights up front to
the end of the rear quarter, then decides to sweep across the trunk
and start all over again on the other side. Small rounded fins add
some nice line to the back of the car, and the oval tail lights
keep it simple on the back. You have to love the wrap around rear
glass with quite a rearward rake for its time. This gives the car
some panache in the design department. What badging that is left is
all nicely preserved and what was removed has been replaced with
airbrushed lettering in their place. For a bit more muscular look
hood pins and rally stripes in a darker green have been added to
both the hood and trunk lid. Highlighting the muscle look is the
raked stance of this machine and if you didn't look closely, you
most likely missed the Avanti Powered badges on each front fender.
Deep dish Chevrolet rally wheels are on all 4 corners wrapped
staggered width blackwall radials.
Interior
Studebaker was known for its use and acceptance of mixing different
materials, particularly on their interiors. However, during the
redux our consignor took this interior to a whole new level, as the
door panels have a mixture of gray broadcloth, smooth black vinyl,
and even a Studebaker "S" embroidered into the gray field. All
emblazoned with nicely preserved cranks and handles. Inside we see
more of the gray broadcloth covering the late model front bucket
seats and rear bench. These seats have smooth fabric bolsters and
an interesting checkered pattern for the inserts. These seats flank
a small added console with cupholders, and the white ball topped
Hurst shifter. A beautifully restored black painted and padded top
dash has been updated with Classic Instruments gauges both in front
of the driver and dead center in the dash. These gauges rest in a
chrome trimmed bezel with a silver birch applique finish. An
aftermarket AM/FM/CD player has been neatly installed in the dash
and just below is an aftermarket heater control panel. Black
carpeting covers the floors and on top of the hump is a nifty sewn
in '59 LARK call out in white.
Drivetrain
Carefully opening the hood reveals more bling than you can take in
at first glance. Rallye Green paint dresses the inner fenders and
firewall of this well-done bay and sitting in the center is the
star of the show. That star comes in the form of a Studebaker 289ci
V8 all dressed up in black and chrome. Up top is a.....wait for
it....Paxton Supercharger that force feeds air to the 4bbl
carburetor and then injected into the engine with the help of a
Studebaker R2 spec camshaft. Our consignor notes that the R1 valve
springs were retained so the limit on this mill is 5000rpm. Bolted
to the back is a Borg Warner T10 4-speed manual transmission which
sends power back to a 3.73 geared rear axle.
Undercarriage
Clean, rust free and black are the keywords underneath. A high
gloss black frame provides the support for the rust-free satin
black flooring. The suspension is independent coil spring up front,
and leaf spring in the back, and all looks rust free. Resleeved
1964 Studebaker disc brakes are on the front and drum brakes are on
the rear, we also note an upgrade to a dual reservoir master
cylinder in the name of safety. A full dual stainless steel exhaust
system with stainless mufflers is seen snaking its way rearward.
It's hard to find any flaws down here.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, this car runs just dandy. It is a cruiser and a
bruiser that most challengers would never expect thanks in part to
the supercharger. It handles very nicely, has more than adequate
acceleration, and strong bias free braking. The interior is very
roomy for the size of the car and parking in a tight spot is not
too bad without the power steering.
A beautiful example of a new twist for a car nearly everyone's aunt
or grandmother owned at one time. This small car with a big
capacity and a very powerful powerplant under the hood. Usage of
interesting tactile and visually appealing design for the exterior
and a clean and concise update by our consignor on the interior. A
turnkey 1959 Studebaker you could come in and buy on a Lark?!
VIN DECODE
59V16641
59-1959
V-259ci V8
16641-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
