1963 Studebaker Lark Wagonaire (RHD)

Description

Hailing from South Bend, Indiana, the Studebaker Corporation had a habit of doing things a little differently, launching the compact Lark series under the guidance of President Harold Churchill late in 1958.  Sold alongside the glamorous Gran Turismo Hawk and Avanti, the Lark proved a great success, restyled several times during its life and the range expanded to include no less than five separate lines by 1963.  Restyled by Brooks Stevens, the Standard, Heavy-Duty, Regal and Custom lines were joined by the upmarket Lark Daytona and the most expensive variant of all was the latest Wagonaire, a four-door station wagon with an innovative sliding roof panel.  Distinguished by unique side moldings and badges, the Daytona featured bucket seats and centre consoles and could be ordered as a two-door hardtop, convertible as well as the luxury Cruiser and unconventional Wagonaire.  In addition to the 170-cid six-cylinder, Studebaker offered several V8s, including 259-cid and 289-cid units and the optional unsupercharged “R1” and Paxton supercharged “R2” high performance motors.  Marketed as being “… The Most Versatile Wagon on Wheels” and three cars in one, namely a stylish family car, a functional utility wagon and a fun-filled convertible, the Wagonaire boasted a one-piece tail gate and a wind-down rear windscreen.  Optional features exclusive to the Wagonaire included a folding ladder, folding third-row seat and a luggage roof rack.  Studebaker produced 11,915 station wagons in 1963 across all models, of which just 2,835 were V8-equipped Daytona Wagonaires, although a number of these came with a non-retractable roof.  Studebaker assembled Larks in Hamilton, Canada and Australia as well as South Bend and 1963 proved the best year here, with 1,262 Lark sedans, 152 station wagons and 27 commercials sold that year, some used as police cars or ambulances.