This past weekend we experienced the sale of the contents of the Hostetler Hudson Auto Museum, which had lost its founding benefactors and more recently its community support.
The closing of an entire museum and the sale of its car collection can be a sad occasion, but it’s not unusual for car museum to sell off cars from time to time. New donations can overflow the facility or perhaps not really fit in with the collection, or sometimes cash is needed for purposes ranging from operating costs to the opportunity to buy a vehicle more vital to the museum’s educational purposes.
Which brings us to the Pick of the Day, a 1959 Studebaker Lark being sold by the Sacramento-based California Automobile Museum and advertised on ClassicCars.com.
“It’s too cute!” the advertisement proclaims, noting that the car has been redone in two-tone silver metallic over aqua paint. Studebaker discontinued two-tone paint after the 1958 model year, but this ’59 looks nice with one color above the center chrome trim and another below.
The ad also notes that there are a few paint bubbles along the edge of the roofline. However, the original 259cid V8 “runs strong with new carb and fuel pump.” The engine was rated at 180 horsepower when new.
The four-door sedan also has new exhaust and a rebuilt front-end, which most likely means the front suspension and steering.
The car has upscale Lark VIII trim, has been “partially” restored, has a gray cloth interior and automatic transmission.
The Lark model was introduced in 1959 as Studebaker’s new compact car. According to the Standard Catalog of American Cars, with the central section of the body similar to 1958 Studebaker sedans, but the front and rear “drastically” shorter.
“The car is the perfect mid-century mode of transportation!” the ad adds. “Arrive in style, you won’t look like a cookie cutter car from the fifties, that’s for sure!”
The odometer shows 41,813 miles. The car is located in Sacramento and the asking price is $11,200.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
The first thing that I would do if i purchased the Stude would be to get rid of that disgusting, germ laden steering wheel cover.
Are you getting rid of the seats, head liner, and all other pieces that came into contact with the previous owner also?
My immune system works. I’d keep it.
11,000 is all it’s worth