History

The Lark was Studebaker's answer to affordable, roomy and reliable family transportation beginning with the 1959 model and running through 1966. It came in numerous configurations, 2 door sedan, 2 door hardtop, 4 door sedan, station wagon and pickup.

The 1959 Lark came with either a 170 cu in 6 cylinder flathead or a 259 cu in V-8. By 1963, the R-2 had converted the 6 cylinder engine to overhead valve while remaining 170 cu in and the V-8 was increased to 289 cu in.

The boxy look, similar to 1950's and 60's Mercedes Benz sedans, looked like something your grandmother might be driving, just a simple but roomy transportation automobile. However, in 1963, 186 of the R-2 models were built with "Daytona Kits" which included supercharged engines, disc brakes, stiffer suspension, etcetera. Of the 186 Daytona models, this is one of only 90 that came with the factory "4 on the floor". In terms of that era, this was a true "Sleeper".