Studebaker Built The Original Hellcat 60 Years Ago

While the Hellcat is widely regarded today as one of the most influential supercharged V8s of all time - some 60 years ago an unlikely brand built what could be considered the first real Hellcat on a shoestring budget. Andthat was the R2 Studebaker Super Lark...

🎥 VIDEOS TO WATCH NEXT 🎥

*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research, please mention it in the comments!

#rarecars #rarecar #musclecar #classiccars #classiccar #studebaker #lark #hellcat

[robertwilson]

In 1968 I was in college at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana and secondhand Studebakers were common and cheap. Because of South Bend winters and snow, Studebaker galvanized many of their body panels. They also had heaters that would cook a pizza! My winter car was a Lark with studded snow tires on all four corners..

[Beauxtrux]

The Stude was always way ahead of its time...the Hawk was a beautiful performer!

[bobdavis]

Dad owned a 63 Studebaker Lark R2, 4 speed. There were only a few R2 wagons ever built. And it had the limited slip axle with original 3:31 cogs. Dad GAVE the R2 Lark Wagon to my older brother JD. He threw 3:55 cogs in the rear axle, but it otherwise an original surviver with 34k original miles. Dad owned Eagle Transport at the time and sold it to my older brothers m. Today, it's ETA. And JD'S R2 sits in the climate controlled barn at his ranch. The car is well maintained by his personal auto techs and the off white R2, that we lovingly called "the bathtub", or the "Upside-down bathtub", still lives on. JD was also given Dad's car collection. He takes care of them, I still have Dad's 76, completely optioned out 76 GP with 3400 actual miles. Dad drove it once and parked it. Handed me the keys when I turned 17, years later. But Dad still drives and loves his Cadillac SUV, at 90, he doesn't put very many miles on it. BurDad regrets giving up his R2 wagon. Studebaker is his favorite car, so he kept his Golden Hawk(Black, gold trim). I think their cars are awesome. Thanks for making this awesome video.

[winstonelston]

8:12 The R3 engine was offered as an option on all '64 Studebaker models through the end of production in the South Bend plant in December of 1963, but only a handful of Avantis were so equipped, including the last Avanti.
There were production problems with the Avanti fiberglass bodies, so to keep up the momentum, Studebaker decided to offer the Avanti-spec engines in all of their passenger cars. There was even a Daytona Wagonaire equipped with the supercharged R2 engine and a four-speed.
The R3 started as a bare 289 block bored out from 3 9/16 inch bore to 3 21/32, and all the internals were hand built.
The Lark name was retired at the end of model year 1963, in favor of the Challenger, the Commander, the Daytona, and the Cruiser.
1414 '64 Hawks were also produced, but among Studebaker's steel-body '64 models, only one Commander two-door sedan left the factory with the R3.
It was said that Andy Granatelli wouldn't ship an R3 engine until it had posted 415 horsepower on the dyno.
I'm not sure how many R3 engines were shipped, but there were some cars retrofitted with brand-new crate engines.

The sad thing is, Sherwood Egbert, a young and energetic executive, was diagnosed with stomach cancer at about the time of the Avanti's introduction, and the Studebaker-Packard board of directors forced his resignation. Egbert died in 1968, if memory serves.

[hughwalker]

In 1963, when I was 5 years old, we moved to Canada from the UK. The first car I rode in was a red '61 Lark 4 door. It was a basic 6, but I still remember very clearly the sight of it rounding the corner and pulling up by the kerb. I've had a great affection for Larks ever since. Seeing what an incredible car it could be is actually heart breaking. They tried so hard and deserved better. Bursting with character, cute and phenomenally quick. A perfect blend.

[raytheguyinthechair]

My american history teacher had a Silver Hawk with the factory 289 and supercharger. I loved that car

[farmonious]

I've worked a service job in the Hamilton Ontario area for 20 years. I know of at least 5 old guys who have bricks from the Studebaker factory here. They all went individually and got them from the site when it was being torn down. Studey's are still thought of fondly in Hamilton.
Keep up the great content. Stay Happy and Healthy

[sethmaki]

When I was a kid, my grandfather had a 1957 Golden Hawk with the supercharged engine, black paint/black interior, and the 16" wire-spoke rims. I used to love riding around in the back of that car, it was so fancy that I remember feeling like I was being chauffeured around by my own personal driver in a limousine.

[JamesRook]

In my highschool years I had a '64 Lark with the 289 R1 V8 that I loved. My little sleeper Mustang killer.

[davidstephenson]

I've always liked Studebaker different and unique straight up sleeper

[mikemmikem]

I'll never forget my uncle's Lark. I was 10 or so and he let me drive it sometimes. I sure loved that little car. Great video, thanks.

[AndyPanda]

My dad always had several Studebaker Larks when I was growing up in the 50's and 60's. He said they too advanced for their time.

[Thomasr]

My dad owned a '56 Studebaker pickup 3 speed with an overdrive, and I bought a '63 Avanti R2 4 speed. Even with the supercharger the Avanti was still just a 16 second 1/4 mile in as factory built condition. A couple of drag racers like George Krem and Ted Harbit could science out the suspension and driveline to turn a Super Lark R3 into a for real 12.7 second car at the drags, but for the most part no one else came close. The immortal Andy Granatelli deserves special mention because as far as I know all the R3 engines ever made passed through his hands - Andy was the not so secret reason for all of the Studebaker speed records set at Bonneville.

[mikebrzostowski]

I also liked Studebakers. They were unique in desigen, engineering, and innovation. I especially like the champion, grand taresmo golden hawk, standard with the bullet grille. I liked the fact that the oil filter was at the top of the engine, ez to change. A wonderful car company. Would love to find a nice one now to enjoy. That's what cars are missing today, too damn complicated! One has to set up appointment with car dealer just to change a headlight! No thank you! Oldies but goodies forever! Im 74 so i guess that explains it. Lol. Happy motoring!

[wilpotocki]

My family had a 1964 Studebaker Cruiser in dark blue. At the same time we had a 1965 Ford Galaxie 500. The Studebaker was much sturdier. I remember I was a little kid. I use to wash both cars. When I got on top of the Studebaker hood to wash it the hood didn't bend, but the Ford did. The Studebaker was our family's choice on long drives because the coil spring seats, air conditioning that was ice cold, and better than the Ford. It was beautiful and classy. The stainless steel hubcaps gleamed when clean, and the stainless steel bar between the tail lights/back up up lights combination, also though the red dash lights, padded dash, and plastic toggle switches, and glovebox vanity mirror was very modern looking. I miss that car. Later when I started collecting cars I bought a red and black vinyl roofed 1965 Cruiser.

[NorcoRules]

Loved the video and thanks .. I have a R2 GT Hawk and goes pretty damn good although a bit heavier then the Lark based cars .. One side note is that Studebaker never folded .. They simply quit building cars and focused on their better selling products .. Business wise it was a very good move .

[chaslife]

I thought I knew cars, but you just shared something I was never aware of. Thank you! I remember seeing Larks as a kid but they were few and far between and always memorable because of their styling. Had no idea about the insane power numbers they were offering.

[winstonelston]

9:00 No mention of the interior upgrades in the Super Lark Package?
Buckets, console. tach, carpet trim, etc?

[sambozeman]

I have a 64 Daytona with the 259 and 3 spd auto. It's a great car and I will never let it go

[mikeryan]

Hello, Rare. My gosh, you make just about the highest quality car videos that I've ever seen. I love this Studebaker history and some of these cars were great looking. Thank you. Peace out from Taipei