1965 Studebaker Daytona

After Studebaker's South Bend plant shut its doors in late 1963, Studebaker dropped all Avanti, Hawk, Challenger, Daytona Hardtop, Daytona Convertible, and truck production. To 'replace' the sporty Daytona models from 1964, for the 1965 model year, Studebaker unveiled the Daytona 'Sports Sedan,' which was basically a 1964 two-door sedan in Daytona trim with a special vinyl roof. The Daytona Sports Sedan was equipped with a GM-sourced V8 and standard bucket seats. Only 1,626 Sports Sedans left Studebakers Hamilton, Ontario factory in 1965. A mere 723 examples were the Daytona station wagon. All of the 18,588 Studebakers built in 1965 were assembled in Canada and were less than the 19,748 units built the prior year, and the 67,918 units built in 1963. Over 100,000 examples were built in 1962.

The eight-cylinder engine had overhead valves, a 283 cubic-inch displacement, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, and offered 195 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. The two-door Studebaker sedans had a 109-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 190-inches, while the four-door sedans and station wagons were slightly longer, with a 113-inches wheelbase and a length of 194 inches (193-inches for the station wagon).

The two-door Daytona Sport Sedan had a factory base price of $2,565, and the station wagon listed at $2,890. The Studebaker Cruiser four-door sedan was priced at $2,610. The Studebaker Commander was offered as a two-door sedan priced at $2,260, a four-door sedan at $2,370, and a station wagon at $2,760.

Studebaker Lark / Daytona
The Studebaker Lark was a compact car in production from 1959 to 1966. By the early 1960s, Studebaker began phasing out the Lark name from the company catalog, replaced by Lark-based models that were called the Commander, Daytona, and Cruiser. These three names would continue until the company's demise following the 1966 model year.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2007