A nice piece of history available!

[dirtymacca]

1964 Studebaker Commander R4 - Bathurst class winner

This highly important ex-racing car has a fabulous history, including a class win and 4th place outright at Bathurst. The car was a special order from the factory in 2-door RHD configuration (not available to the public in Australia), specifically for racing. Ordered new for NSW Studebaker dealer and racer Bert Needham. It features a Granatelli R4 V8 engine (210kW - 280bhp), disc brakes, uprated racing spec suspension, Twin-Traction LSD, tachometer, floor shift, larger fuel tank and many other genuine Studebaker period items. It is believed that only two or three such cars were ever built.
The car raced twice at Bathurst as well as at other eastern states circuits - and is the most famous racing Studebaker in Australia. It was quoted at the time of "being capable of almost 150 miles per hour on Conrod Straight". In 1968 the car achieved a 13.93 second run at Castlereagh drag strip in NSW.
The car is thoroughly and meticulously restored and has won multiple concours awards. Documentation with the car verifies the low 32,700 miles on the odometer. The rebuilt engine has covered about 2000 miles. The car has featured in several publications and has been with the present owner for many years.
There is little doubt that this very significant car, with an amazing history and in spectacularly good condition would be a highlight of any collection. The asking price is $55,000. Contact the owner on

[Casper]

You can see the shuttered view of Australian motor racing on this site by the lack of response to this post. If it ain't a Holden or Falcon it does not count.

[dougcharli]

I personally wish I had the funds - what a classic - we seem to have lost that in this country with our Cochrane Championship.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Casper

You can see the shuttered view of Australian motor racing on this site by the lack of response to this post. If it ain't a Holden or Falcon it does not count.

I saw it, admired it, had nothing to add...

I preferred the look of the 2 door Lark myself, but this is a valuable find

Who will add it to their collections, Mr Bowden, Mr Champion? I somehow dont think so

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by Casper

You can see the shuttered view of Australian motor racing on this site by the lack of response to this post. If it ain't a Holden or Falcon it does not count.

Rubbish. Saw it, thought that it was interesting, moved on. Nothing really to add to any "discussion". Wouldn't be my cup of tea to own (old race cars that I like have two seats & the engine behind them) so what would you expect someone like me to add?

Don't think that its an "icon" car to add to any of the big collections but interesting, a good find and a car that should get picked up - but that's about it.

[Axeman444]

or perhaps it was from a couple of years before some were born and have no recollection and therefore no love for it??

[Oldtony]

Ah the memories of the Victoria Police Lark Pursuit cars in the first couple of years at Bathurst!
Nothing could live with them until they ran out of brakes. I guess they must have discouraged a lot of people from trying to do a runner in their day.

[Aarrgh8]

Originally Posted by Oldtony

Ah the memories of the Victoria Police Lark Pursuit cars in the first couple of years at Bathurst! Nothing could live with them until they ran out of brakes.

..or wheels. I couldn't think of anything to add either, but I certainly remember. I can still visualise Warren Weldon in his normal driving mode, half-turned in/on the seat, leaning against the door as he headed through Hell Corner.

GTR, that is a two-door Lark - or Super Lark to be precise. Maybe you're thinking of the Hawk - or Golden Hawk: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Hawk_late.jpg

[emjaya]

Originally Posted by Casper

You can see the shuttered view of Australian motor racing on this site by the lack of response to this post. If it ain't a Holden or Falcon it does not count.

It's a nice car, but it's not the first time it has been posted here.


http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90930


Maybe if the op stuck it in the Motorsport History forum, he might have better luck.

[johnh875]

Used to work with a bloke who was right into the Studebakers. I wonder if they mean the 2-door was not available rhd just in the 'post' body, I can't remember if the Daytona's I've seen (same body but pillarless) were imports or sold here.

It would be a great companion for the Grp N Studebaker that was for sale a while back. Would be a bold move to take that car & put it back on the track though.

[xrystl]

The Cops used Studebaker Cruisers in Perth in the early to mid sixties , they were quite a bit quicker and handled better than the Chrysler Royal V8s and the Dodge Phoneix ; on a Triumph 110 they were all very easy to outrun and they all seriously ran out of brakes after a few hard brake applications , the Cooper S and the Falcon V8 were years ahead as Police vehicles when they came out , even on a bike you had to think quick as the Cooper S handled well and would stay with the bikes on the open road.

[Falcadore]

Originally Posted by Oldtony

Ah the memories of the Victoria Police Lark Pursuit cars in the first couple of years at Bathurst!
Nothing could live with them until they ran out of brakes. I guess they must have discouraged a lot of people from trying to do a runner in their day.

There's an article on the Victoria Police Motor Sport Club in the most recent Australian Muscle Car, well worth a read.

I have a fading memory of an American aftermarket firm that created Studilacs. The market place wasn't always impressed with Studebaker's motive power. When re-engined with Cadillac engines they were considerably more potent. Think this might have been the Hawk rather than the Lark though.

[Falcadore]

Quick bit of research revealed the Studillac to have been based on the Studebaker Starliner actually. What a great name for a car.

[johnh875]

I'm sure a Studillac featured in one of the James Bond books.

The one I always liked was the Wagonaire with the sliding roof (until they worked out they all leaked & dropped the idea that is)

[Falcadore]

Originally Posted by johnh875

I'm sure a Studillac featured in one of the James Bond books.

The one I always liked was the Wagonaire with the sliding roof (until they worked out they all leaked & dropped the idea that is)

It was Felix Leiter's car in Live and Let Die where Leiter got partially eaten by a shark. In filming Live and Let Die and Doctor No out of order the continuity had to be extensively re-written and in the end Leiter got his on-screen mauling in Licence to Kill.

[johnh875]

But more importantly, I don't remember the Studillac making an appearance in any of the movies!!! (probably no product-placement fee...)

I'm pretty sure it made an appearance in the Diamonds Are Forever book as well.

[Falcadore]

Or more likely the cars were 15-20 year old pieces of irrelevant junk by the time the films were made. The books had Bond as having served neat the end of World War II. Would have made different viewing of Casino Royale if a 90-year-old had strode out of the surf in budgie smugglers heading for the Ocean Club in Bermuda.

Well and truly off topic but fun nontheless

[johnh875]

Topic??? Not familiar with the term lol...