1959
Studebaker
Lark
Every
muscle
car
enthusiast
knows
what
an
STP
sticker
looks
like.
But
is
there
a
Studebaker
tie-in?
Yes.
STP
oil
treatment
was
first
introduced
in
1952
as
a
product
of
Chemical
Compounds
Inc.
of
St.
Joseph,
Missouri.
An
abbreviation
for
Scientifically
Treated
Petroleum,
STP
was
a
thriving
business
when
Studebaker
president
Sherwood
Egbert
acquired
the
company
and
trademark
on
March
1,
1961.
The
claim
that
STP
stands
for
Studebaker
Transmission
Products
is
just
a
myth.
That
said,
after
the
1961
acquisition,
the
STP
trademark
was
briefly
co-opted
to
stand
for
Studebaker
Tested
Products.
Soon
after,
Egbert
realized
the
popular
oil
supplement
was
best
kept
as
a
standalone
brand.
STP,
under
the
leadership
of
Andy
Granatelli
was
a
strong
source
of
profits
and
positive
PR
through
its
many
Indy
500
attempts
and
active
support
of
all
facets
of
professional
motor
sports.
For
consignment
we
are
keeping
in
tune
with
the
Studebaker
affinity
for
avian
species,
we
give
you
the
Lark.
A
smaller
car
with
a
big
interior
to
seat
6
passengers
comfortably.
This
car
has
been
beautifully
restored
with
all
areas
being
meticulously
attended
to
and
no
stone
left
unturned.
A
fine
running
and
looking
great
1959
Lark.
Exterior
Boxy
but
with
rounded
corners
would
best
describe
the
design
for
this
car,
and
it
was
intentional.
Intentional
because
they
wanted
to
fit
6
passengers
inside
comfortably,
and
in
order
to
do
so,
needed
as
much
space
for
that
interior.
All
steel
straight
panels
sprayed
with
Seamist
Green,
then
snazzy
clean
chrome
was
attached.
Pay
particular
attention
to
the
belt
line
mini
swoop
spear,
that
literally
runs
from
above
the
headlights
up
front
to
the
end
of
the
rear
quarter,
then
decides
to
sweep
across
the
trunk
and
start
all
over
again
on
the
other
side.
Small
rounded
fins
add
some
nice
line
to
the
back
of
the
car,
and
the
oval
taillights
keep
it
simple
on
the
back.
You
have
to
love
the
wrap
around
rear
glass
with
quite
a
rearward
rake
for
its
time.
This
gives
the
car
some
panache
in
the
design
department.
Badging
is
all
nicely
preserved
and
uses
your
grandmother's
handwriting
as
the
font.
Standard
Studebaker
polished
wheel
covers
are
on
all
4
corners
wrapped
in
thin
whites.
Interior
Studebaker
was
known
for
its
use
and
acceptance
of
mixing
different
materials,
particularly
on
their
interiors.
This
car
does
not
disappoint,
as
the
door
panels
have
a
mixture
of
silver
fabric,
smooth
green
vinyl,
and
knitted
textured
metal
thread
panels.
All
emblazoned
with
nicely
preserved
cranks
and
handles.
Inside
we
see
more
of
the
metal
thread
in
green
slightly
tucked
and
rolled
inner
panels
for
the
benches.
These
are
bordered
by
smooth
dark
green
vinyl
for
the
bolsters.
Seats
show
slight
wear.
A
beautifully
restored
turquoise
dash
with
all
clean
and
correct
instrumentation
fronted
by
an
original
steering
wheel
and
topped
with
a
faux
leather
grained
green
padded
dash.
Hanging
below
the
passenger
side
is
the
dealer
added
tissue
dispenser
in
chrome.
Headliner
is
a
tan
mohair.
Drivetrain
A
very
nicely
restored
259ci
V8
sits
in
a
clean
and
shiny
engine
bay.
Stromberg
provides
the
single
WW
carburetor,
and
a
3-speed
manual
transmission
is
attached.
Undercarriage
Some
surface
rust
is
seen
around
the
rocker
area,
but
otherwise
rust
free
on
the
frame
and
floorpans.
Suspension
is
independent
coil
spring
up
front,
and
leaf
spring
in
the
back,
and
all
looks
rust
free.
Some
surface
rust
is
seen
on
the
underside
of
the
door
panels,
and
interestingly
those
panels
were
missed
on
the
respray.
Drum
brakes
for
all
4
wheels,
and
a
glasspack
dual
exhaust
is
also
seen
underneath.
Slight
surface
rust
is
seen
within
the
door
jambs,
and
on
the
front
grille.
Drive-Ability
A
quick
starter,
this
car
runs
just
dandy.
It
is
a
cruiser,
which
gains
speed
through
every
gear.
It
handles
very
nicely,
and
parking
in
a
tight
spot
is
not
too
bad
without
the
power
steering.
Interior
is
very
roomy
for
the
size
of
the
car.
A
beautiful
example
of
a
car
nearly
everyone's
aunt
or
grandmother
owned
at
one
time.
This
small
car
with
a
big
capacity
was
popular
in
the
day
and
got
good
gas
mileage
to
boot
although
at
that
time
no
one
cared.
Usage
of
interesting
tactile
and
visually
appealing
fabrics
and
surfaces
interior-wise,
and
an
overall
good
restoration
with
just
a
few
areas
of
very
minor
surface
rust
around.
A
turnkey
1959
Studebaker
you
could
come
in
and
buy
on
a
Lark?!
VIN
Decode
59V12601
59-1959
V-259ci
V8
12601-Sequential
Unit
Number