Sooo … one part of the job I invented for myself is spending an hour or so every morning looking through Michigan photos on Flickr to find a photo for the Michigan in Pictures photo blog. I stumbled across the above picture of 1961 Studebaker Lark…
Me: I want one of these … I wonder why a car company hasn’t started building cars using old designs with modern hardware.
Leann: I believe this Lark is for sale…
Me: I thought it might be. Then I thought “where would I get parts for it?”
Still, I can’t see why in this age of modular cars the American car companies wouldn’t leverage decades of cutting edge industrial design and roll out updated versions of classics. How about it GM?
The photo is 61 Studebaker Lark by Paula Morningstar, part of her Monroe Photography slideshow.
Also, via the partial omniscience of the internet (specifically the Institute of Artificial Smartness), here’s a commercial for the Studebaker Lark featuring Mr. Ed.
If you want a Studebaker, GO FOR IT! And don’t worry about parts. There are several parts vendors, a very active national owner’s club, and a warehouse full of NOS parts in South Bend, Indiana that’re sold by a company descended from the original service organization. Check out http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com . Woot!
Like Clark said, there are plenty of online vendors selling Studebaker parts, and a huge support community of Studebaker drivers and enthusiasts. These were great cars, and the old inline six-cylinder engines got great gas mileage, too, comparable to the Hondas on the road today. The big oil companies would doo-doo bricks if American car companies went back to that engine!
Thanks for your comments, but much as I love engines that I can understand, I really want those designs with a nice plug-in hybrid underneath.
Recently someone told me about GM’s Skateboard platform. That might do the trick…
That car could be for sale, it’s mine. My buddy must have taken it and posted it up somewhere. I have 4 new doors, 2 new quarter panels, and a new tailgate for it. All I need is front fenders [very few new ones out there]. Could use new rear springs. I drive it all over in the summer, previous owner did all kinds of work to it; brakes, clutch, starter, radiator, rebuilt head, and more. This thing gets over 20mpg if you drive it easy. Have a few more Studebaker cars I’m working on, could let this one go for 2500.00 to get more money to work on the others. rdachsdog@aol.com
Now that is cool, Rick.
Actually the first Studebaker V8 was more economical than the six in line! The six is a so called long stroke engine the V8 a short stroke or square engine, like all modern engines today. Some of our club members have 1952 Studebakers with V8′s today that do 23 miles to the gallon. It is a shame modern cars and more than 40 years later don’t do better!
You’re very right.
I loved the “Hollywood Packards” slideshow on your site. Some really cool cars that Gable, Bette Davis and others had. Such craftsmanship.
The 61 wagon is cute, but the 63 wagon is even better! The back half of the roof panel can be rolled into the roof, making a convertible-of-sorts. Sweet! I’m hoping to start working on one soon…LOTS of work needed but it’ll be fun! I posted pics on my blogpost athttp://www.greasegirl.wordpress.com
You know…didn’t they try to “remake” those old cars with the PTcruiser? Definately not as cool! What would Studebaker be making now if it was still in business??? hmmmm…