And yet another 64 Daytona Hardtop from the studebaker drivers club forum - a few old images of this one with its original production order. The owner at the time provided some great details of teh car as copied below:
Family owned since new. From Stewart Jones Motors St. Petersburg FL. My Grandfather's dealership.
My Grandfather told my Grandmother it was time to replace her 1951 Champion DeLuxe Business Coupe. Light blue (Boy I wish I had that one too.)
He told her to go through the Studebaker inventory & pick out her new car. I always had that same dream, but he retired in 1973 & sold the Dealership, before I could drive.
The color got her, Bordeaux Red. She told me (years later) that she went out & bought some new clothes to match or at least compliment her Studebaker's color, while driving it. She was always a fashion plate.
I always felt the 64 Daytona HT was one of the most beautiful Lark based Studebaker's produced. My Grandmother always held onto her cars. So, from a young age, I always told her to never sell it without talking to me first. Figuring I'd be old enough to drive, when that time came.
Well that day came in 1990, when I bought it for $1.00 She wanted to give it to me, but I said it should be a legal transaction, with money exchanging hands.
I remember going to the DMV to get the title transferred, and the 4% State of Florida tax was to be paid. They lady asked for the purchase price. I told them it was purchased for $100.00 because I couldn't see giving the State just 4 cents. haha That is when I noticed on the old title, that the Dealership hadn't transferred ownership to my Grandmother, until 1966. I wonder if Studebaker's closing had anything to do with that?
The car is now setting in my garage. I always wanted an R2 Super Lark. So I have acquired the parts, waiting for that conversion. The T-10 4 speed and Avanti Style 289 R2 set-up is waiting, already restored. That will be my retirement project. In the meantime, the 259 was "borrowed" for my 1960 Lark project. It now lives on as an R2 type clone itself. The 60 Lark is completed and on the road.
My Grandmother lived to be 102 years old. I had always wanted to take her for one last ride in her beloved automobile. Unfortunately, that never happened.
When my Grandfather retired in 1973, he took a used 1963 Avanti off the lot & it became his daily driver. Later he sold it & then took over driving the Daytona. He gave my Grandmother a new 1976 Ford Granada Ghia 2 door. Olive Green, which was another pretty 2 door. After my Grandfather died in 1983, she retained both vehicles, driving the Studebaker on occasion.
Below is a 1981-82 photo my Cousin just gave me last year. It shows her Sister and Husband, taking my Grandfather out for a drive. At that time, he was too sick to drive himself, but a Studebaker outing always seemed to make him feel better.
Oh, today the 1964 has 48k miles on it and well protected. Awaiting its R2 + 4 speed conversion. 1964 Daytona HT: 64V-16027
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