Although Nash created the compact segment with the Rambler in 1950, major U.S. automakers did not join the market until a decade later. Ford introduced the Falcon for the 1960 model year. Plymouth also joined the segment that year with the Valiant. Dodge did not produce the Lancer until 1961, while Chevrolet waited until 1962 to offer the Nova (Chevy II). Studebaker, however, offered a competitor to the Rambler beginning in the fall of 1958.
Founded in 1954 through a merger, the Studebaker-Packard Corporation was already losing money by 1956. With no way to compete with the Big Three in the full-size car market, Studebaker decided to enter the emerging compact market with the Lark.
Essentially a full-size Studebaker with short overhangs and a shortened wheelbase in front of the firewall, the Lark still comfortably accommodated six people while offering plenty of room for luggage. The Lark was quite popular at first, selling 131,075 units in 1959 and 120,465 in 1960. However, as Ford, Plymouth, and Chevrolet entered the market, Lark sales began to decline. Ultimately, the name couldn't save the company, and Studebaker went bankrupt in 1966.
But even if it didn’t keep America’s oldest automaker afloat, the Lark has plenty to brag about. It debuted the flow-through “Refreshaire” ventilation system with vents integrated into the taillights and spawned the Wagonaire, a station wagon with a sliding, retractable rear roof section. It also gave us the Super Lark, America’s first compact muscle car. The Lark even set the pace at the Indianapolis 500 at a time when race officials favored vehicles from the Big Three.
Studebaker first led the iconic race in 1929, when George Hunt drove a President Roadster. In 1940, Harry Hartz led the field in a Studebaker Champion. The automaker returned to the race in 1952 with a Commander convertible.
The Lark joined the ranks of the Indy 500 Pace Car in 1962. It was the first car built by a company other than Ford, GM, and Chrysler to lead the event in nine years. The Lark was also the last Indy 500 vehicle supplied by an independent automaker.
The Daytona convertible was driven by Indy 500 veteran Sam Hanks and was one of 38 examples provided to race officials for the weekend. Studebaker also delivered a new Avanti as an “honorary” safety car. The 34th example produced was awarded to race winner Roger Ward.
The whereabouts of these Indy 500 Larks today are unknown, but Studebaker also released a limited production version for the public. It’s unclear how many were sold, but a few survived to tell the tale. This museum example is one of those vehicles.
Spotted on display at the Classic Auto Mall, this pace car is the result of a complete restoration and looks great inside and out. It sports the correct off-white color and a classy two-tone interior.
Under the hood, the Lark is also factory-correct. The restored 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V8 features a black block and yellow valve covers and mates to a correct Flight-O-Matic three-speed transmission. It’s unknown if the engine is numbers-matching, but the car runs and drives as it should.
The 854 mile (1,374 km) odometer reading is not authentic, but it is just a hint that this Studebaker has not been driven much since its restoration. This rare Daytona Lark Pace Car is offered at $40,900. What do you think of this sticker? Is it too much for a rather obscure pace car or is it a decent amount for a rare convertible?
