1960 Studebaker Lark Restomod

Description

Ever thought to yourself, "I'd like a Studebaker that runs like a Corvette." No? Well, you're about to, because this incredible 1960 Studebaker Lark has a look that's so funky it's cool, and has the heart and soul of a C4 'Vette underneath. It was outrageously expensive to build, but now it's available for a fraction of that amount, and you'll never look back once it's in your garage.

The Lark shape was designed by Raymond Loewy, the same brilliant guy who designed some of the best looking, most dramatic cars of the 1950s and 1960s. It was compact and designed to be practical, but there are plenty of dramatic elements that make it really stand out. Up front you get the traditional Studebaker trapezoidal grille flanked by big round headlights, and the side trim takes a neat jog just behind the wheels, making it look sporty, not frumpy. The taillights are mounted in their own little pods and the side trim wraps around the trunk to give it a very finished look. This no longer looks like a discount car, does it? The two-tone House of Kolor Galaxy Gray and Pewter paint is subtle and sophisticated, making the reasonable little Stude look very sophisticated and obviously it was done by pros, because it's beautifully finished. The bumpers were painted to match and modified to hug the body a little tighter, but that seems to be the only deviation; it's the color and the stance that makes this car look so awesome!

The interior got a much more dramatic makeover, starting with a pair of leather bucket seats and all the creature comforts. Custom door panels echo the exterior styling, and you'll note there are neat pods built in for the power windows and locks. A leather-wrapped steering wheel on a tilt column makes it easy to get comfortable and the original gauges have been replaced by a set of white-faced Auto Meter dials in the dash, plus a full set of auxiliary gauges under the center stack. Vintage Air supplied one of their A/C systems and there's an AM/FM/CD stereo head unit neatly installed up top. A B&M shifter between the seats manages a 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission, making this car easy to drive and it feels quite modern from behind the wheel. It's also practical, as you have a good-sized back seat and a big trunk that's fully upholstered and equipped with a space-saver spare.

But the big news is the full engine and drivetrain transplant. The donor was a 1995 Corvette, including the might LT1 350 cubic inch V8. It fits so neatly in the Studebaker engine bay that you'd swear it was born there and it still delivers 300 horsepower on demand. There's a big BeCool radiator up front and thanks to a fully independent suspension from that same 'Vette, power steering and 4-wheel disc brakes are part of the package. A custom dual exhaust system sounds spectacular and one glance at the chassis will tell you all you need to know about this car's quality. The stance is perfect, with the solid coupe hunkered down over a set of 17-inch Corvette wheels wearing 235/45/17 front and 255/45/17 rear performance radials.

A multiple show winner, 2-time magazine feature car, and all-around amazing piece, this Studebaker is the antidote for all the ordinary cars at every show. Call now!