Why This Car Is Special

The 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Convertible sits at a genuinely interesting crossroads in American automotive history. When Studebaker introduced the Lark for the 1959 model year, it was a calculated response to the bloated, chrome-heavy full-size cars that had come to define Detroit in the late 1950s. The Lark was smaller, lighter, and more economical — and buyers responded immediately. Studebaker went from posting significant losses to its first profitable year in nearly a decade, largely on the strength of Lark sales. The 1960 model year refined the formula with a cleaner front end design, revised trim, and a broader option list that made the Lark genuinely competitive against offerings from the Big Three.

The convertible body style was a critical part of that strategy. It gave the Lark a fun, open-air identity that the economy car market typically ignored. Combine that with the 289 cubic inch V8 — the top engine option in the Lark lineup for 1960 — and you have something that was both practical and genuinely capable for its era. The "Lark VIII" badging on the decklid of this car confirms the V8 designation, a detail Studebaker used to differentiate the eight-cylinder models from the six-cylinder cars in the same lineup.

The VIN on this car begins with 60V, confirming 1960 model year production at the South Bend, Indiana assembly plant, with the V indicating a convertible body style. That combination — convertible body, V8 engine — made this one of the more desirable configurations in the Lark lineup.

What makes this particular 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Convertible stand out today is the combination of sensible upgrades and retained originality in the right places. The engine bay has been dressed up without being replaced. The interior keeps its period-correct character while presenting clean and usable. The undercarriage has been coated and is structurally sound. This is not a trailer queen and it is not a rough driver — it occupies the practical middle ground that makes a collector car actually enjoyable to own.

Features List

• Studebaker 289ci V8 engine
• 4-Speed manual transmission
• 4-barrel carburetor
• Chrome valve covers
• Chrome air cleaner
• White convertible top
• Red and white two-tone vinyl interior
• Red carpet
• Original Studebaker steering wheel
• Original Studebaker AM radio
• Added gauge cluster (volt, oil pressure, tachometer)
• 5-spoke alloy wheels
• Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires
• Chrome side trim
• Chrome front and rear bumpers
• Chrome grille
• Dual exhaust
• Coated undercarriage
• Drum brakes all four corners

Mechanical

The heart of this 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Convertible is Studebaker's own 289 cubic inch V8, an engine with a solid reputation among Studebaker enthusiasts for its durability and smooth power delivery. The 289 was the top displacement option available in the Lark for 1960, and in this application it is fed by a 4-barrel carburetor, which represents the more aggressive factory-style induction setup for this engine family. Chrome valve covers and a chrome air cleaner dress the engine visually without altering its fundamental character — it still reads as a period-correct Studebaker V8 rather than a mismatched engine swap.

Power goes through a 4-speed manual transmission, which was a relatively rare and desirable option on the Lark. The factory shifted most Larks with automatic transmissions, and the 4-speed manual was an enthusiast-oriented choice that changes the driving character of the car considerably. With a 4-barrel carb feeding the 289 and four gears to row through, this is a car that rewards driver engagement in a way that most automatics simply do not.

The dual exhaust system exits cleanly at the rear and provides the kind of exhaust note appropriate for a V8 convertible. Underneath, the undercarriage has been coated, and the photos confirm solid, clean structure with no visible rot or significant corrosion. Braking is handled by drum brakes at all four corners, which is correct and expected for a car of this era. The suspension components visible in the undercarriage photos appear to have been detail cleaned and painted, presenting well for a car that clearly has driving miles on it.

The added gauge cluster mounted below the original instrument panel gives the driver real-time data on volts, oil pressure, and engine RPM — information the factory gauges did not provide with any precision. It is a practical addition that keeps the driver informed without touching the original dashboard.

Interior

Open the door on this 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Convertible and you are looking at a red and white two-tone vinyl interior that is period-correct in its color scheme and genuinely sharp in its execution. The seats — front buckets and a full rear bench — are upholstered in a ribbed white vinyl center with red bolsters and red piping, a combination that works well against the burgundy exterior. The door panels follow the same two-tone pattern with vertical-ribbed white upper sections and smooth red lower panels divided by a chrome trim strip. Red carpet covers the floors throughout.

The original Studebaker steering wheel is present and correct — a two-spoke design with a chrome horn ring and the Studebaker hawk emblem in the center cap. This wheel is an important detail for anyone who values originality, and it is far more appropriate here than an aftermarket unit would be. The original Studebaker AM radio remains in the dash, face-forward in its factory bezel with the Studebaker script visible on the dial face. It is a cosmetically intact piece that sets the correct tone for the era.

Below the original instrument panel, the added gauge cluster provides supplemental information the driver actually needs. The factory gauge pod itself remains intact, showing the original speedometer and combination temp/amp/oil/fuel gauge. The odometer reads 15,749 miles, though the actual mileage history is not certified. The 4-speed shifter rises from the floor with a white ball shifter knob, a detail that fits the car's character well. Convertible top is white and appears to be in serviceable condition.

Exterior

The burgundy exterior on this 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Convertible is a rich, deep red that suits the convertible body style and pairs well with the white top and red interior. The 1960 Lark received a revised front end compared to the 1959 car — a cleaner, more rectangular grille opening with a fine crosshatch chrome grille that replaced the somewhat heavier treatment of the year prior. That grille is present here and in good shape. The chrome bumpers front and rear are straight and present well. Chrome side trim runs along the body in the correct position for the Lark VIII designation, and the Studebaker and Lark VIII badging on the decklid is intact.

Rolling stock consists of 5-spoke alloy wheels wearing Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires, a combination that modernizes the car's ride and handling without looking out of place. The Cooper Cobra is a classic-looking radial with a white letter sidewall that reads correctly on a car of this era. The wheel and tire combination fills the wheel openings properly and gives the Lark a planted, purposeful stance.

The white convertible top completes the exterior package. A burgundy body, white top, and red and white interior is a coherent, well-considered color combination — not a random assembly. The body panels appear straight in the photos, with no obvious signs of significant collision repair or patchwork. The overall presentation is consistent with a car that has been maintained and driven, rather than neglected or over-restored.

Conclusion

The 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Convertible is the kind of car that tends to be overlooked in a market full of Chevys and Fords, which is exactly what makes it interesting. Studebaker built fewer than 8,000 Lark convertibles across all engine configurations for 1960, and the 4-speed V8 convertible combination narrows that number further. This is not a car you will see at every show, and that distinction matters to a certain kind of collector. It drives like a proper American V8 convertible from its era, it has enough visual presence to hold its own anywhere, and it has been sorted to a point where you can actually use it without a list of items to address first.

If you are a Studebaker enthusiast, a collector who values something genuinely different, or simply someone who wants an open-top American V8 car that does not look like everything else in the parking lot, this 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Convertible deserves a serious look.

To schedule a viewing or ask specific questions about this car, call Skyway Classics in Sarasota, Florida at 941-254-6608. We are happy to walk you through the car in detail.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.