Our Studebakers Over the Years

The first time I saw a Studebaker was when my dad, Tom, drove a 1959 Lark Station Wagon into the driveway. I was told it was a gutless car ( Flathead 170 cu in, six cyl) so it didn’t last long and was traded in on a 1960 Volvo 544. The Volvo it seemed was too small after a year and in early 1962 he bought a 1961 Lark VI Taxi Model which had the new OHV six while having a reasonable amount of get up and go. Vehicles didn’t last long in our family and by early 1964 he traded in the Lark on a 1963 Ford Pickup. In the early 1965 the Ford was history and he bought a used 1964 Studebaker Daytona with a 259 V-8 Automatic. It was a nice car but by the fall he took a look at a new 1966 Studebaker Commander, 2 dr with a 194 cu in GM engine with automatic. It was in our driveway soon afterwards. We took a long trip to California in the spring of 1966 and I remember hearing about the Hamilton Plant closure over the radio while we were way up in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. I was unable to drive as I was only 14 at the time but it was a sad day indeed since these vehicles had taken us through thick and thin. Like a Timex watch - as the old saying goes “Takes a licking and keeps on ticking”. it wasn’t too long after we heard the factory closed that the 66 Commander was traded off for a new 1967 Ford pickup F-100 but to say the least they weren’t forgotten. It was 33 years later that I decided to buy my own Studebaker - a 1963 GT Hawk that needed some TLC. 24 years later and presently Four Studebakers in the family it been a very enjoyable hobby.

Check out these links for more info on our Studebakers of Bygone years