1962 Studebaker Lark

Daytona Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

62V11412

Clear

Gasoline

This '62 Daytona factory 4-speed convertible is a unique opportunity to own a rare car at a sacrifice price. For the restorer, it is a complete "kit" that contains virtually every part needed to finish the car, or for the collector it may be enough of a bargain to have the car finished professionally at a reasonable price. (NOTE: the first 2 pictures are of the car as it was bought in 2008) THE STORY This car was purchased in November, 2007 as a decent driver (see pictures from that time below). It was an extermely well-running, low mileage car that appeared to need only cosmetics to bring it into shape, mostly interior. It was driven home from central PA to southern NJ without incident, some 150 miles. The following spring (2008) I had it examined by a local shop/restorer. He determined that other than the aforementioned cosmetics, it could use rebuilding of the brake system, new springs, and some convertible body sag could be rectified with new body mount pads. The brake work and springs were done immediately; all new lines, cylinders, shoes, NOS coil springs front and NOS H.D. leafs in the rear (with bushings), jounce bumpers, and shocks. Parking brake cable was replaced. A conversion to partial-flow oil filter was done. At this point the car was mechanically sound and safe. The body mounts were postponed until fall. At that time the body was raised and prior to the pad replacement a sagging bracket at the cowl was determined to need replacing. Cutting off the bracket revealed hidden rust in the driver's side rocker. Investigation of the passenger side showed the same. Someone had hidden the old rockers with new ones. At that point, the scope of the project changed. Metalwork now needed to be done and since that triggered new paintwork a decision was made, hesitantly, to re-do the entire car from the ground up. Work began and parts were bought and re-finished to make it a showpiece. Some $8,000 was spent on repair panels, interior, chrome, harnesses and a myriad of other smaller parts; virtually everything needed to restore this car short of new hydraulic lines for the top, which were to be custom made later during re-assembly. The car was scheduled to be done by the end of the following summer (2009). Work was sporadic at best and the deadline missed. Promises were made to have it for my daughter's wedding, summer 2010. The job was never started again after this promise was made and the car has sat untouched for the last 18 months. Though more promises have been made, I am at my wit's end and have decided to sell the car off as it stands. A decision needed to be made and this bad experience has taken away all interest in having it done somewhere else. My hope at this point is to cut my not insignificant losses and see it go to someone who will do it justice. It is an outrageously rare, good running (at the time), low mileage car. The engine and frame are great, all suspension and brakes re-done and most of the body is very solid, the exception being the rockers. The floors and lower doors have been fixed at some earlier point and we had decided to re-do those; the new metalwork is included. THE CAR This car is extremely rare and matching numbers (factory build sheet was obtained). Though breakdowns are not available for '62 Studes other than bodystyle and 6 or 8, it is believed to be one of few Daytona 4-speed convertibles built and probably few enough left to count on both hands. Options were Climatizer heater/defroster, Winguards front and rear (chrome bumper end caps), 259 V8 and Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission (floor mounted). This is the same tranny used on Corvettes of the period and later GTOs, Javelins and others. The transmission alone was nearly $200, almost 10% of the price of the base car! Steering and brakes are manual. Radio is deluxe pushbutton AM. The Daytona model included special trim, full wheel covers, and an interior that included full carpeting, padded dash and radio surround, bucket seats, console with storage, all-vinyl throughout. Dash is finished in woodgrain. At some point the exhaust was upgraded to dual and the throaty burble this thing makes is fantastic. Body color is a respray of the original Velver Black. Interior, both the original and repro, are red with white seat inserts. Top is white, though the build sheet lists the original as black. THE PARTS I'll do my best to list all parts obtained for the restoration. Unless otherwise noted, parts have not been installed. All new Phantom Auto Works interior, the premier Studebaker interior reproducer. This includes carpeting, door panels, rear quarters, all seat upholstery (seats have been done), console upholstery, armrests and sun visors. ($2500) New pleated dash top by FBN Upholstery of WV. ($200) All chrome show-plated by Frankfort Plating of Philadelphia, the area's premier plater. Includes bumpers, bumper guards, winguards, window sills, quarter sills and vent window frames. ($2100) New front and rear wiring harness by Studebakers West. ($417) New front floors and rockers by Classic Enterprises. ($700) Parts from Studebaker International totalling over $1600: Hood and firewall insulation, kick panels, floor mats, full rubber and seal kit, steering column seal, inside mirror, door strikers, sill plates, window cranks, chrome STUDEBAKER and LARK letters, trunk mat and spare cover, turn signal cancel, fuel gage, hood ornament. An NOS chrome grill surround was bought at a swap meet. ($90). There are probably several small items I've missed here, but you can see over $7000 worth of stuff here, not including the mechanical stuff purchased for the under-car work listed earlier. SOME FINAL STUFF While I have a reserve, it is many thousands below the purchase price of the car and the parts. Finished cars are valued at somewhere between $19,000 and $21,000. And a matching numbers 4-speed is a nearly impossible find. My goal is to re-coup some of my investement and at the same time make it a worthwhile value for someone to finish it. THE FINE PRINT You are bidding on a project car. It does not currently run but does roll. As such, buyer MUST provide pick-up for the rolling car and many separate parts, some large. I cannot ship the car, nor its parts. I will not part out the car or sell parts individually. Car and parts are sold as-is. Car has a clear NJ title stating 39,920 miles. While I have strived to provide accurate infomation, an inspection is welcome and recommended. Car is stored at a 3rd party and may require advance notice for viewing. As with any prospective purchase, ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE BIDDING. Your winning bid is a contract to buy. Winning bidder must provide a $500 PayPal deposit within 48 hours of auction end. Balance is due by cash or certified check within 7 days or at time of pick-up, whichever is first unless other arrangements have been made in advance. I have a 100% eBay rating and intend to keep it. My purchases and sales include several vehicle including a recent one. Check out my feedback. Thanks for looking and happy bidding. On Oct-10-11 at 04:45:15 PDT, seller added the following information: Correction to the body color: I mis-typed it; it is VELVET Black.