1963 Daytona Project From A Wrecking Yard

[abkco]

While looking for another Winter project to start on, I found this 63 Daytona in a local wrecking yard. Despite sitting there a year, it had not been picked over too much. According to the production order, it came from the factory pretty loaded: 289 motor, 4 barrel, powershift, bucket seats, dual exhausts, 3.73 rear, front disc and power brakes and a viscous fan. Outside of the missing fan, center console, power booster and carb, it was all there. I decided to bring it home and take a better look. It originally went to Turlock, Ca.

[abkco]

Trunk lid and hood were rusted through, but there was a 62 sitting next to the 63, that the wrecking yard let me pick through. Interior is rough, as you can see. I've reached out to Rene at Southeast Studebaker and Will from Starlight.

[8E45E]

What is the serial number? Did it come with an R-series engine?

Craig

[abkco]

I was hoping to find a jet thrust engine, but its the 289 and the production order shows matching engine numbers.

[Milaca]

That was a very nicely optioned Daytona. I see lots of potential there.

[abkco]

I brought it into the shop a couple of weeks ago to check the body. Outside of a poorly rusted trunk and a small amount on the front floors, it is in pretty solid condition.

[Lou Van Anne]

No way I'll ever have that much ambition nor talent.....and I probably should throw in "money" too!

[abkco]

There was a 4 door in a wrecking yard a few hours away from me. Poor car was restored quite nicely, and was promptly T-boned and totaled. Unfortunately, someone got the dash and front clip before I got there, but there was a perfectly good running 289, very clean trunk, and enough parts to help keep costs down.

[abkco]

Not much money required at this point. Will work on body and more pictures later this week.

[63t-cab]

Wow You're on a roll with these two Cars,do want to see the end results.

[Jeff T.]

As best as I can tell from the pictures, the trunk side walls on the 63 parts car look better than what are on my Lark right now. Shame I'm not closer.

Jeff T.

[wittsend]

If this moves as fast as your last project I'd assume it will be done by...., Friday? All the best, you always seem to have an effective plan.

Sadly it seems neither car has a windshield. I recall a number of months back it had been announced they had again made a new run of them so that is a good thing. Still not cheap and likely in the $500-$600 range by the time it gets to you. Also, I believe the there is a slight 1/2" difference in the upper corners between the 63 and 64-66 cars. But..., the 64-66 wagons and convertibles (???) fit the 63 cars. Anyway, I just mention it but check to be sure or hopefully someone else will correct or confirm what I said.

[candbstudebakers]

Jeff your never close enough to the good parts but I could help and bring pieces of the car back to
S/B or meet you on the way, Justin lives close to me and has been down a couple of times.

[lark63]

what a great car to find in a yard to fix and enjoy!

[studejohn]

Russ from studebaker parts.com. Has a nice used power shift console. in stock just saw it in the back of his truck yesterday.