Cosmetic changes remain limited for the Lark, though quad headlights become standard on the Regal and the new Cruiser, and optional on the DeLuxe. Taillights are revised, the dashboard is totally new, while options now include a new “Skytop” sunroof. The biggest news is under the bonnet, though: the old flathead six is replaced by a “Skybolt Six” with overhead valves. Performance improves dramatically, without any penalty on economy, but unfortunately the new engine will soon prove troublesome. Cracks form between the valve seats of many a customer’s car, often forcing Studebaker to fix the faulty engines, still under warranty, at its own expenses. More serious perhaps, the company’s reputation is tarnished.
Studebaker Lark DeLuxe
The Lark DeLuxe is a very plain car, sporting less chrome on its front end than virtually any other vehicle built in Detroit. This does not prevent Studebaker, as a concession to a fashion it resisted since 1959, to propose new quad headlights for the DeLuxe for a little extra money. Another option, previously unavailable to the Lark VI, is power steering.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; and V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp (Lark VIII). Lower compression ratios (and hence lower outputs) could be ordered for exported cars in order to cope with gasoline with poorer octane rates. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 445 cm (sedans), 469 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door station wagon, four-door station wagon.
Studebaker Lark Regal
The better-appointed Lark Regal adds standard quad headlights and rocker panel mouldings. This year, an optional Carter four-barrel carburettor is optional on all V-8 engines, boosting their output by 15 hp.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; and V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp (Lark VIII). Lower compression ratios (and hence lower outputs) could be ordered for exported cars in order to cope with gasoline with poorer octane rates. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 445 cm (sedan and hardtop coupe), 469 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, two-door convertible coupe, four-door station wagon.
Studebaker Lark Cruiser
The new Lark Cruiser is a plush version of the Regal built on the extended chassis of the station wagons, offering extra legroom for the rear passengers. It also receives a fine upholstery and a standard V-8 engine. Such a long-wheelbase sedan was not previously available to private customers in the United States, even if some Econ-O-Milers have been sold as private cars on export markets during the Lark’s first two years in existence. Unlike the rest of the passenger Larks, it can be fitted with the large 4.7-litre V-8 from the Hawk coupe.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact, 1960 for the Lark Cruiser. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp; V-8, 4.7-litre, 210 hp; and V-8, 4.7-litre, 225 hp. Lower compression ratios (and hence lower outputs) could be ordered for exported cars in order to cope with gasoline with poorer octane rates. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 455 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan. Note: a Lark VI Cruiser fitted with the inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp engine is available for export markets, but only a handful are made.
Studebaker Lark Heavy-Duty
For 1961, the Econ-O-Miler becomes the Heavy-Duty, but remains a Lark’s version specially intended for fleets, mostly taxicab operators. It is built on the longer chassis of the station wagon, and is exclusively available as a four-door sedan.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; and V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp (Lark VIII). Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 455 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan.
Studebaker Lark Marshal
Caring for fleet operators, Studebaker also proposes a Lark designed for law agencies, in a variety of bodies. On special request, it can be powered by the Hawk’s V-8 which guarantees spectacular performances to the small and light car. Various names are applied to these vehicles depending on their engines: “City Marshal” with the 2.8-litre six, “Patrol Marshal” with the 4.2-litre V-8, and “Pursuit Marshal” when fitted with the powerful 4.7-litre V-8.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp; V-8, 4.7-litre, 210 hp; and V-8, 4.7-litre, 225 hp (Lark VIII). Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 445 cm (sedans), 455 cm (long-wheelbase sedan), 469 cm (station wagons). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, four-door extended “heavy-duty” sedan, two-door station wagon, four-door station wagon.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1959 – 1960 – 1961 – 1962 – 1963 – 1964 – 1965 – 1966
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Studebaker Lark DeLuxe
The Lark DeLuxe is a very plain car, sporting less chrome on its front end than virtually any other vehicle built in Detroit. This does not prevent Studebaker, as a concession to a fashion it resisted since 1959, to propose new quad headlights for the DeLuxe for a little extra money. Another option, previously unavailable to the Lark VI, is power steering.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; and V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp (Lark VIII). Lower compression ratios (and hence lower outputs) could be ordered for exported cars in order to cope with gasoline with poorer octane rates. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 445 cm (sedans), 469 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door station wagon, four-door station wagon.
Studebaker Lark Regal
The better-appointed Lark Regal adds standard quad headlights and rocker panel mouldings. This year, an optional Carter four-barrel carburettor is optional on all V-8 engines, boosting their output by 15 hp.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; and V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp (Lark VIII). Lower compression ratios (and hence lower outputs) could be ordered for exported cars in order to cope with gasoline with poorer octane rates. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 445 cm (sedan and hardtop coupe), 469 cm (station wagon). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, two-door convertible coupe, four-door station wagon.
Studebaker Lark Cruiser
The new Lark Cruiser is a plush version of the Regal built on the extended chassis of the station wagons, offering extra legroom for the rear passengers. It also receives a fine upholstery and a standard V-8 engine. Such a long-wheelbase sedan was not previously available to private customers in the United States, even if some Econ-O-Milers have been sold as private cars on export markets during the Lark’s first two years in existence. Unlike the rest of the passenger Larks, it can be fitted with the large 4.7-litre V-8 from the Hawk coupe.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact, 1960 for the Lark Cruiser. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp, mounted at the front. Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp; V-8, 4.7-litre, 210 hp; and V-8, 4.7-litre, 225 hp. Lower compression ratios (and hence lower outputs) could be ordered for exported cars in order to cope with gasoline with poorer octane rates. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 455 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan. Note: a Lark VI Cruiser fitted with the inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp engine is available for export markets, but only a handful are made.
Studebaker Lark Heavy-Duty
For 1961, the Econ-O-Miler becomes the Heavy-Duty, but remains a Lark’s version specially intended for fleets, mostly taxicab operators. It is built on the longer chassis of the station wagon, and is exclusively available as a four-door sedan.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; and V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp (Lark VIII). Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 455 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door sedan.
Studebaker Lark Marshal
Caring for fleet operators, Studebaker also proposes a Lark designed for law agencies, in a variety of bodies. On special request, it can be powered by the Hawk’s V-8 which guarantees spectacular performances to the small and light car. Various names are applied to these vehicles depending on their engines: “City Marshal” with the 2.8-litre six, “Patrol Marshal” with the 4.2-litre V-8, and “Pursuit Marshal” when fitted with the powerful 4.7-litre V-8.
● Introduction: 1952 as the original full-size model, fall 1958 as the shortened and heavily reworked compact. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled inline six, 2.8-litre, 112 hp, mounted at the front (Lark VI). Optional engines: V-8, 4.2-litre, 180 hp; V-8, 4.2-litre, 195 hp; V-8, 4.7-litre, 210 hp; and V-8, 4.7-litre, 225 hp (Lark VIII). Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 445 cm (sedans), 455 cm (long-wheelbase sedan), 469 cm (station wagons). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, four-door extended “heavy-duty” sedan, two-door station wagon, four-door station wagon.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1959 – 1960 – 1961 – 1962 – 1963 – 1964 – 1965 – 1966
Click here to return to a list of all Studebaker vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all brands already presented.
Awesome article regarding the Studebaker Lark.
ReplyDeleteMy favourites have always been the 1959-61 Lark. If I could afford to buy one, and a good example can be found in good driveable condition, I'd buy a Marshall Pursuit cruiser.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a nice choice. Yet, I guess finding a good-condition Lark is rather hard nowadays, and probably near to impossible in the case of a Pursuit Marshal - as any other fleet car, probably most of them have been used and abused until they were scrapped.
ReplyDelete