1963 Studebaker Lark Resources

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1963 Studebaker Lark Facts – Body Paint Color Codes

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1963 Studebaker Lark

1963 Studebaker Lark Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1963 Studebaker Lark

For 1963, Stevens again restyled the Lark. The wrap-around windshield was eliminated and the entire “greenhouse” was lightened via the use of thinner door and roof pillars. Inside the cars, a completely new instrument panel with full instrumentation was fitted, however Studebaker was not able to integrate the air conditioning into the panel; the evaporator and vents were still hung beneath the dash in a box. For women, an “Exclusive Beauty Vanity” with a mirror and makeup tray was fitted in the glove box compartment on most models with thee front panel had the word “Vanity” in gold script.

Wagonaire
Aside from the Avanti, the biggest product news for Studebaker in 1963 was the introduction of the novel sliding-roof Wagonaire. Designed by Stevens, the Wagonaire was considered by many too be a great advance in station wagons. Water leakage on some of the early models convinced management that a less exotic fixed roof wagon was needed and was added at mid year.

Cruiser
The Lark Cruiser was given heavy promotion as a sensibly sized luxury car. The brochures referred to it as “America’s First and Only Limousette.” To separate it from the Lark, Studebaker eliminated the “Lark” lettering from the front fenders and added fancier side trim. Inside, buyers could choose luxurious broadcloth upholstery, lending credence to Studebaker’s luxury push for the Cruiser.

Daytona
The Daytona line was expanded for 1963, adding the new Wagonaire to the continuing convertible and hardtop. A new Custom trim level, which used side trim similar to that used on the 1962 Daytonas, replaced the “Regal” model. All Daytona models received new side trim that started as a narrow molding on the front fenders and widened toward the rear. The basic design of this trim was shared with the Cruiser line.

Regal
The Deluxe Lark was eliminated, with the former Regal models demoted to Studebaker’s base model. These cars were simply badged as “Lark” and received a thin stainless steel trim piece that extended from the tip of the front fender to the end of the rear fender. While the interiors were plain, they were far from spartan. The Regal line shared the newly introduced padded dash with its higher priced sister models. Buyers could also option a Regal with any of the engine and transmission choices found in the higher priced models.

Standard
In mid-1963, Studebaker introduced the Standard series, a totally stripped line of Larks in the vein of the 1957-58 Scotsman, bumping the Regal up a notch in the model hierarchy. While it was obviously a Lark, it bore no Lark nameplates, just “Studebaker” in script as first used on 1956 Hawks on the front fenders. In keeping with its frugal image, the Standard had no side trim, and had an interior with no vanity, just a simple glove box with a lid that opened at the top. Mainly promoted as a fleet vehicle, the Standard offered good value; the two-door sedan carried a base price of only $1,935. This price was very competitive with other brand’s small- and mid-sized cars.

Engineering and Performance
On the engineering front disc brakes (made by Bendix) were made available at $97.95. They greatly improved the car’s stopping power. In the engine lineup, in addition to the existing six-cylinder and V-8 engines of the past, new options were added for the 1963 model year. Naturally aspirated “R-1” and supercharged “R-2” 289 V-8s from the Avanti were made available. Buyers choosing those engines late in the model year could also order a “Super Performance Package”, including the R-3 Supercharged V-8, which also added a host of high-performance options aimed at making the cars not only go faster, but handle better. Cars equipped with the package were called “Super Larks”.

Production
Though the 1963 models were seen as an extension of the improvements made the previous year, the buying public by this time was looking for more than just a mild change, and sales fell, this time to just above 75,000 cars.

1963 Studebaker Lark Facts – Powertrain Options

• • I-6: 112 HP 170 CID – Standard in I-6 model line, Not available in Cruiser and Wagonaire.
  • V-8: 180 HP 259 CID 2-barrel V8 – Standard in all V-8 lines.
  • V-8: 195 HP 259 CID 4-barrel V8 – Optional in all V-8 lines.
  • V-8: 210 HP 289 CID 2-barrel V8 – Optional in all V-8 lines.
  • V-8: 225 HP 289 CID 4-barrel V8 – Optional in all V-8 lines.
  • R-1: 240 HP 289 CID V-8 – Optional in all V-8 lines.
  • R-2: 289 289 CID V-8 – Optional in all V-8 lines.
  • R-3: 305/335 HP Supercharged V-8 – Optional in all V-8 lines.
  • Transmissions:  3- and 4-speed manual and 3-speed automatic Optional in all lines.  4-speed not available in I-6.
  • Rear Gear Ratios: 2.53:1 to 5.38:1 available – some special order. See 1963 R-3 Specifications Sheets HERE. Twin-Traction available on most ratios.

1963 Studebaker Lark Facts – Major Optional Equipment and Accessories

    Prices where known:

• • Air conditioning, not available with R-2/R-3 engines ($278-285-325).
  • Automatic transmission, No-creep.
  • Backup lights for Standard models ($8).
  • Bumper guards.
  • Cargo mat, wagons.
  • Car-Go-Pak, wagons.
  • Cigarette lighter for Standard models.
  • Clear plastic seat covers or cushion toppers.
  • Compass.
  • Convenience group and side moldings for Standard models.
  • Electric clock ($16).
  • Exhaust deflector.
  • Fuel line filter.
  • Glove box light.
  • Headrests.
  • Heater/defroster ($80-88).
  • Hill Holder ($15).
  • Individually adjusted front seats (standard on some models).
  • Interior rear view mirror.
  • Interior rear view mirror, Strato-vue.
  • License plate frames.
  • Locking gas cap.
  • Luggage rack, wagons ($43).
  • Outside rear view mirror.
  • Padded sun visors.
  • Power brakes ($45).
  • Power rear window, wagons ($33).
  • Power steering ($77-81).
  • Radio, all transistor manual tuning ($57-62).
  • Radio, all transistor push button ($65.70).
  • Radio, AM-FM pushbutton transistor.
  • Rear deck cushions, wagons.
  • Rear door locks.
  • Rear facing third seat, wagons (with Cap¬tive-Air tires and no spare).
  • Rear seat speaker ($13).
  • Reclining seats.
  • Rubber floor mats.
  • Seat belts ($10).
  • Skytop sun roof (hardtops and sedans only) ($185).
  • Splash guards, rubber.
  • Spotlight.
  • Tachometer ($54).
  • Tinted glass ($32).
  • Tissue dispenser.
  • Trunk light.
  • Undercoating.
  • Underhood light.
  • Wheel covers, full ($16).
  • White sidewall tires ($32.49).
  • Windshield washer ($14).
  • Winguards for models without wraparound bumpers.