Studebaker Lark Daytona Convertible
The Studebaker Lark Daytona Convertible represented the best of the company's final years of innovation. Introduced in 1962 as an upscale version of the successful Lark compact, the Daytona featured bucket seats, floor-mounted shifter, and a padded dash — sporty touches that were becoming fashionable in the early 1960s. Under the hood, the available 289 cubic-inch V8 delivered surprisingly strong performance for a compact car, making the Daytona a genuine sleeper. The convertible body style was particularly attractive, with clean lines penned by the legendary Brooks Stevens. Despite the car's quality and performance, Studebaker was in financial trouble, and production numbers were modest. The Lark Daytona convertible is now a prized collector piece, representing one of the last truly unique American independents. Its combination of compact dimensions, V8 power, and open-air motoring makes it a thoroughly enjoyable driver, while its historical significance as one of Studebaker's final models adds considerable collector appeal.
Check for rust in floor pans, trunk, and lower fenders. Mechanical parts are increasingly difficult to source, so verify engine and transmission condition carefully. Interior trim pieces are rare. Join the Studebaker Drivers Club for parts sources.
The Daytona name was introduced for 1962 as the premium Lark trim. Convertible production was always limited, with most buyers preferring the hardtop coupe. The 289 V8 was shared with other Studebaker models and traced its lineage back to the company's 1951 V8 design.