Up for sale is "Louie," our 1962 Studebaker Lark Regal 2-door hardtop. Originally a California car, t still has the Car Club of California sticker on the rear bumper. We bought it in Michigan in November 2014, nd I drove it home to North Carolina. I used it for much of last year as my daily driver, ith a daily round trip of 52 miles. It never fails to gets smiles and start conversations. However, have one project too many, nd we need to help him find a new home.
The Lark is powered by its original partial-flow 259 c.i. V8, ith a Flight-o-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission. It has a PCV valve as required of 1962 cars in California. The engine starts easily and runs smooth and strong. The transmission shifts smoothly. In case you are not familiar with the Flight-o-Matic, t starts in second gear unless manually put in LOW. The differential is a 3.07, o it cruises nicely at highway speeds. It also has factory-installed power steering which makes for one-finger motoring. It has an electric fuel pump, liminating vapor lock. The tires are like new with about 75% tread. It comes with two extra wheels, lso with good tires, nd a set of four Studebaker wheel covers. (I think the covers are actually 1963 models). The brakes were redone by the previous owner and are in good condition.A new battery and aluminium radiator were installed in 2015.
The interior was redone by the previous owner in the style of the original and looks good. All glass is original and in good condition. Roll down all the windows at highway speeds and you get a calm, oothing breeze trough the cabin...it won't even muss your hair!
The body and frame are solid, ut it's what you would call a 20-footer. There are a couple of small rust-through spots in the usual places behind the front wheel wells. Otherwise there is no rust through, ncluding on the floor pans. At some point in the past it was repainted close to the original Riviera Blue, ut needs another to make it really pop.
Naturally there are a few issues with a 54-year-old car. The engine does leak and burn some oil, ut as Studebaker owners will attest, t ain't a Studebaker if it doesn't leak. The heater core was disconnected when I bought it; I assume it leaks, ut I really do not know. The horn button was disconnected when I bought it, robabvly when the interior was redone, nd I have not reconnected it. The biggest things it needs to make this a fun cruiser or daily driver are bushings and motor mounts, hich are readily available from Studebaker vendors. Overall, ith relatively little work, his can be the star of the cruise in. Trust me, ou'll be the only one there with a Louie!