1962 Lark model differences

[mike528b]

How do I tell what model a 1962 Lark 4 Door is: Deluxe, Cruiser or Regal?

[62champ]

Body number plate on the firewall is the easiest way - otherwise this might help: Cruiser will have vent windows in the rear doors/black faced gauges/extra dash padding around radio/bottom of dash - Regal has black faced gauges/chrome windshield chrome/ribs on the lip of the padded dash - Deluxe will have white faced gauges/no chrome around front/rear windows/padded dash has no ribs on the lip.

Other will contribute as needed.

[BobPalma]

There are few differences between DeLuxe and Regal models, Mike.

The Cruiser, however, is easy: They have a Cruiser nameplate on the front fenders, the rear window vents can be opened, and there is a center, fold-down armrest incorporated in the rear seat. There are other differences, too, but those are the major ones.

Regal models have carpeted floors, two coat hooks, courtesy lights operated by door switches, and a steering wheel with a horn bar across the bottom half.

DeLuxe models don't have that Regal equipment and have rubber floor coverings.

Those aren't all the detail differences, but when you are looking at a car for sale, those are the things that would jump out at you.

Finally, the body tag under the hood on the firewall will indicate the trim level. It is the fifth digit on the top line. "4" means DeLuxe trim; "6" means Regal Trim; "8" means Cruiser trim.

Examples: 62S-Y4 would be a 1962 DeLuxe Six 4-door, whereas 62S-Y6 would be a Regal. All Cruisers were eights, and will have 62V-Y8 under the hood on the top line of the body tag. BP

[Hallabutt]

I guess that all Daytonas were carpeted and had black gauges, correct?

[62champ]

I guess that all Daytonas were carpeted and had black gauges, correct?

True, and they also included the woodgrain painted dash (including the Cruisers) with the extra padding around radio/bottom of dash. Daytona was only available in a hardtop or convertible.

Photo below is engineering photo before models went on sale (white gauges) but shows all that extra dash padding and woodgrain.

[8E45E]

Photo below is engineering photo before models went on sale (white gauges) but shows all that extra dash padding and woodgrain.

They are 1961 gauges, going by the round idiot light, vs rectangular on production 1962 Larks.

That is obviously a prototype of a Cruiser, going by the door pockets, carpeted kickpanel and firewall. It also has a hand throttle and direct-reading ammeter & oil pressure gauges.

Craig

[Warren Webb]

Craig

I cant make it out what is to the right of the hand throttle but could it be the switch for a convertible top?