1964 Studebaker Daytona Sedan 28k Orig Mile Preservation Class Excellent Cond

1964 Studebaker Daytona Sedan Additional Info:

The Studebaker Lark is a compact car that was produced by Studebaker from 1959 to 1966. Lark-based variants represented the bulk of the range produced by Studebaker after 1958 and sold in far greater volume than the contemporary Hawk and Avanti models. Beginning with the 1963 Cruiser, the Lark name was gradually phased out of the company catalog and by early 1964, Lark-based models were being marketed under Commander, Daytona and Cruiser nameplates only.

For the '64 Model year Studebaker's executives allowed Brook Stevens to continue the process of modernizing their main line vehicles that resulted in a more extensive (but still inexpensive) restyling for 1964. What resulted was the most mainstream looking Studebakers since 1946. The Hawk-like grille of 1962-63 gave way to a full-width, stamped aluminum grille and squared-off headlamp surrounds. Stevens flattened the hood, roofline and trunk lid, and reworked the tail panel to incorporate new horizontal taillamps and backup lamps, all the while ingeniously retaining the sculpted quarter panels introduced in 1962, which still suited the new look and reduced by a considerable amount the cost of tooling.

The new look debuted along with the company's plan to phase out the Lark name entirely. The lowest-priced models were renamed Challenger (replacing the 1963-1/2 Standard), while the Commander name (which had last made an appearance in the Studebaker lineup on the last full-size cars in 1958) replaced the Regal trim level. The Daytona series added a four-door sedan (replacing the 1963 Custom four-door), and the Cruiser continued at the top of the line. All models except the Cruiser offered a Wagonaire.

Challenger and Commander models came standard with single headlamps, the first time since 1961 that a Lark-based vehicle offered them. Dual lamps were an extra-cost option.

For 1964, the Lark name was only used on early Challenger and Commander models. Early promotional materials referred to the Challenger and Commander as Larks, but aside from Lark emblems on the roof sail panels on Challengers, there was no Lark identification on the cars, as Studebaker replaced the Lark emblems elsewhere on the car with the company's "circle-S" logo.

The purpose-built Marshal model in three body styles was marketed to police departments. Brochures claimed that "130 mph is merely incidental", the Marshal was available in "Pursuit", "Patrol", and "City" versions.

Studebaker worked very hard to establish a high-performance image for the 1964 lineup, sending a number of cars to the Bonneville Salt Flats to set new production-car speed records. Advertisements played up the powerful R-series engines, disc brakes and the company's position that Studebakers were "different ... by design" from other American cars. Magazine road test reviews of the new cars were generally positive.

Despite styling changes, innovative models like the Wagonaire, the high-performance R-series engines and Super Performance Packages (inspired by the Avanti) that were developed with the help of "Mr. Indy 500" Andy Granatelli (who headed Studebaker's Paxton Products and STP divisions), sales did not increase. By the early autumn of 1963, Studebaker's board of directors acted to slow down the South Bend assembly lines. At the start of the model year, the company was building 60 cars per hour. By late October 1963, some 2,500 workers were laid off and the line speed was reduced. The closure of the South Bend plant was announced on December 9, 1963, and the final Lark-type car, a Bordeaux Red 1964 Daytona two-door hardtop rolled off the assembly line on December 20. This car is now housed at the Studebaker Museum in South Bend.

This exceptional low mileage original example has covered only 28,456 miles from new. A virtual time piece, this car is like stepping back into time. It has been well cared for its entire life and spent time in the collection of Truet Cathy-founder of Chick Fil A. It was sold after his death.to another Studebaker Collector who has kept in in excellent order and used it sparingly on sunny Summer Days only. Minor updating has occurred to keep the car in tip top shape. the seat Fabric was degrading and was replaced with the correct fabric which was luckily still available. Minor Paint touch up was performed, but the car does still wear its original finish in most areas.

The car runs and drives perfectly. This is a car you can press into immediate service on either the show or tour circuit.

This is a rare opportunity to get a well cared for low mile Daytona form the final year of South Bend production.

This is a very difficult car to price due to the once in a lifetime opportunity its acquisition represents, so we are starting at $1.00 per mile covered so far but very open to offers.