UPDATE: NEW PIX: Looking at this Lark: Counsel from wiser Stude heads sought

[drpreposterous]

Hi, everyone!

As I've no doubt made abundantly (and I hope not obnoxiously) clear, I am looking for a first-gen Lark. I've given up looking for my ideal (Regal w/ 3speed with OD and 259), as I want one to start enjoying before late spring/summer slips away on us. I found this '60 with auto (sigh) and the flathead (that's ok).

http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/3729621793.html

[IMG]http://thumbnails102.********.com/25488/da6b69254872045.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://thumbnails105.********.com/25488/47043d254872047.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://thumbnails107.********.com/25488/a109eb254872049.jpg[/IMG]

Its owner picked it up in Louisville a while back. Apparently it has been a Florida or Kentucky car its entire life. Owner says it is super solid body, floors and frame. He says he did "repair" two rust areas. The first was on the roof (water dripped down from leaky Louisville carport) and about an inch diameter surface. Second was on the typical rear portion of the front fender. He sanded both down and (gack) spray-painted them. Underneath, he says, is amazingly clean. He says he had the fenders off and found em clean, but media blasted the frame anyway and POR-15ed the frame and inner fenders. He also (no!!!) removed the flat six and flight-o-matic in prep for an SBC. This has not been done as yet. The six was gone over for leaks, and new fuel pump, water pump and aluminum radiator. He may yet do a Turner disc brake job (yeah, yeah!). Interior is clean. Front seats re-upholstered. Headliner, carpet and dash all good. Tranny shifts fine.

I thought $4,600 is high for a six Lark, but if he does the Turner, I might very well bite. Other than that, I thought I'd offer $3,800, if it's as clean as he says. We've all seen clean first gen Larks go for a lot less, I know. Tell me your thoughts, please.

thx, Brian

[StudeRich]

This one should be a MUCH better driver than an Automatic 6, it needs the bottom checked out for rust.
Looks quite good for a Illinois Car.

A Regal 4 Door '59 Lark VIII with Flight-O-Matic and no Radio or Lighter, Clock etc.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-Studebaker-Lark-VIII-4-door-Sedan-/161027333674;jsessionid=80C4692AA20E04DC471D7A5187148996?ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123&item=161027333674&forcev4exp=true

[RadioRoy]

A Studebaker six with an automatic transmission will be SLOW to drive, SLOW to accelerate, and will probably be only a city streets cars, not a freeway car.

If the car has an overdrive and a 4:55 rear end, then it would be OK, but with an automatic? Not so much.

[JoeHall]

You will probably want to get rid of the car soon, since speeding tickets are gonna be a real problem.

[LeoH]

You will probably want to get rid of the car soon, since speeding tickets are gonna be a real problem.

You mean with the SBC right? Otherwise, shouldn't that be a warning about under-speeding tickets? I kid!

As I have a wagon with a 170, I claim the right to be able to!

[LeoH]

An ON topic answer would be pass on the KY/OH car for that price. Keep looking, imo. Haven't you noticed? It's spring and they seem to be popping up around you, so be patient.

[Corvanti]

i agree with "RadioRoy" regarding the flathead 6 and either a 3 speed without overdrive - my '40 Champion - or my '51 Champion, with a automatic. assuming the rear ends are similar to what's in the 2 Larks to mine, i'd go with a V8 and overdrive, if possible. although a 6 with overdrive would be ok.

that is - if you plan on doing much interstate driving. i did take about a 110 mile round trip in the '51 in December, with about 75 miles on I-40. i drove her at around 60-65mph, but didn't feel comfortable doing so. when i got back into town on the return trip, the coolant temp was way high with the slower speed and stoplights. the air temp was around 60. i doubt i'd try the same trip in the summer heat.

besides that, the "6" looks pretty nice. the V-8 will need some cosmetic work at least. i'm not sure i'd go over $3,800 on either one, probably less.

the only other advice i can give you at this time is don't "pull the trigger" too soon and without a good look at the vehicle by you or a trusted SDC member. i was impatient when i purchased the '63 Avanti - without the knowledge i've found here on the forum/SDC/Mr. Johnstone's site - after the purchase... and i learn something new here just about everyday!

just my $0.02, and hope this helps.

[SScopelli]

If you are looking for one a bit faster!

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/3729907214.html

[drpreposterous]

I think you guys are dead on about waiting....Thanks! It's just so hard when Lark fever strikes. It occurs to me (as the former owner of a 3-speed w/OD and V-8 Lark) that I ought to keep in mind that those components were a huge part of my love for it. Okay, StudeDave57, I'm back to waiting to see how "Dorothy" ('59 with 259) turns out. Thanks, everyone for well-considered two cents!

[StudeDave57]

for what it's worth...

Okay, StudeDave57, I'm back to waiting to see how "Dorothy" ('59 with 259) turns out.

The car Dad posted looks a lot like Dorothy.
But she has way less fender rust.
Her interior and paint do not look nearly as good as that car on eBay, but her brakes are done, and her front end has been rebuilt. I have a new heater core to install, and a few other things to do before she'll be ready~ like some minor floor repairs.

As I've said before- mechanically Dorothy will be pretty much done.
Cosmetically- not so much.





StudeDave '57

[drpreposterous]

Thanks, SD57. I'm keeping Dorothy in my thoughts...

[drpreposterous]

I've always found NADA to be inflated in its estimation of collector car pricing. VMR seems much more in tune with reality. By its lights, both the white two-door and the mint green four door are overpriced.
1960 pricing

http://collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/60stlark.html

1959 pricing

http://collectorcarmarket.com/menus/ccmprcs/59stlark.html

[drpreposterous]

Ok, so the seller, Mike, has sent more pix. This Lark is available with the SBC and its tranny or the original flat head and flight-o-matic (which I prefer). The pix show some of the guts. He's also picking up a Turner kit, which apparently he'll throw in (forgot to ask whether it was the basic one or the deluxe). I'm still thinking $4,600 is way too much. But it's been there a while. He may be negotiable.

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[Corvanti]

so many pics in different states of repair. what does she look like "today"?

and i think the price is a high, as others have said.

[drpreposterous]

Body back together. Six and tranny out of it, but will be back in in near future. I agree, the price is high.