Nice Driver: 1961 Studebaker Lark

This 1961 Studebaker Lark looks to be a nice driver that has somehow survived the harsh winters of Buffalo New York where it currently resides. There is little information given by the seller other than it is very clean, nice looking and has a manual transmission and a 6 cylinder engine. Found on Collector Car Ads, the seller is asking $8,000.

Larks were available as either the ‘VI’ or ‘VIII’ which designated the engine type. Both series were available in ‘Deluxe’ and ‘Regal’ trim levels. The two-tone blue on this Lark seems rare for a Lark as most I’ve seen are uniformly painted. Horespower on these 170 c.i. inline sixes was only rated at 90 but bumping up to the 270 c.i. Eight would double your horsepower.

Studebaker was facing tough competition by 1961 in the economy field. Rambler was at the height of their popularity and the big three were introducing their own “senior compacts.”

We only see one picture of the interior and hopefully the presentable shot that we see is indicative of what the rest of the cabin looks like. There is no mention of any mechanical or body work completed but my bet is that at minimum the car has been repainted at some point. The rest of the car could very well be original.

The $8,000 asking price may be a little ambitious but this would be a great little car to drive around town or take to the local show where it would be sure to get plenty of attention