1962-1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona Hardtop & Convertible

1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona convertible

The 1962-1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona hardtop and convertible were the sportiest models in Studebaker's aging compact line, introduced for 1962 along with a major reskinning by stylist Brooks Stevens -- who again accomplished wonders for South Bend on a minimal budget.

The more flowing body lines for 1962-1963 were set off by a Mercedes-style square grille. For 1964, styling became more straight-edged and crisper, and a neat inverted-trapezoid grille was used. Underneath it all, however, was the basic bodyshell first seen in the 1953 Champion/Commander series.

The top-line Daytona offered front bucket seats, center console, and (from 1963 on) full instrumentation. Reclining front backrests and a floor-mounted stick shift were optional, as was an interesting folding cloth sunroof for 1962-1963.

Offered with both six- and eight-cylinder engines, everything from the ancient L-head six, which had been finally updated to overhead valves for 1961, to the hot R-series versions of the 289 V-8 (though very few found their way into Larks). Studebaker's declining sales volume make these models quite rare today -- and they're quite good cars at that, with a useful combination of performance and economy.

• Economical collector-car buy
• Size, character still appropriate
• Ragtops' low production

Minuses of the 1962-1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona Hardtop and Convertible:

• Usual Studebaker rust propensity
• Spotty fit and finish on '62s
• Somewhat hard to find

Production of the 1962 Studebaker Lark Daytona Hardtop and Convertible:

• 2-door hardtop: 8,480 (includes Regal models)
• Convertible: 2,681

• 2-door hardtop: 3,763
• Convertible: 1,015

• 2-door hardtop: 2,414
  
• Convertible: 703

Specifications of the 1962-1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona Hardtop and Convertible:
Wheelbase, inches: 109.0
Length, inches: 188.0/184.0/190.0 (1962/1963/1964)
Weight, pounds: 2,765-3,320
Price, new: $2,308-$2,843

Engines for the 1962-1964 Studebaker Lark Daytona Hardtop and Convertible:

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