Q:
Greg, I'm a fan of the Studebaker, and especially the Lark that came
out in 1959. Did this car ever compete in NASCAR races? I can't recall,
but one of my older friends (I'm 74 if that helps), says he knows that
a Lark raced in the early NASCAR races. Also, are Larks currently worth
a lot of money? -- Stuart K., Port Richey, Fla.
A: Stuart, your friend is correct. In the very first Daytona 500, a
1959 Studebaker Lark driven by Harold Smith, from Dayton, Ohio, started
50th of 55 cars and finished in 31st for a fairly good run. In those
days, NASCAR started way more than today's 43 starters. Overall for
Studebaker, the make won three races in 1951 NASCAR competition.
As for the Lark, the model saved Studebaker from bankruptcy, as sales
in 1959 increased a tremendous 250 percent over a very bad 1958 year.
More than 130,000 Larks were sold in 1959, along with another 7,788
Silver Hawks. In 1958, less than 43,000 Studebakers were sold, so the
"new" Lark, which was just a new sheet metal design over the old car,
was indeed a savior. By 1966, however, Studebaker ceased production
with just 8,947 cars built, all in its new Canadian plant.
As for value, there is a nice-looking 1961 four-door, six-cylinder Lark
in restored condition listed in Hemmings Motor News for only $6,995, so
these cars will never be highly priced collectibles. According to
Collector Car Market Review Value Report, the most expensive of the
resorted 1959 Larks is a Regal two-door Wagon, which lists for just
over $11,000 in pristine condition.
Still, for the price and fun one can have with a Studebaker collector
car, I'd say a '59 Lark is a pretty nice choice.
Write to Greg Zyla in care of King
Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or
send an e-mail to gzyla@ptd.net.
(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.
