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53 Starliner Production Issue
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The build order being written AFTER the Production date definately tells you something is odd for sure.
Maybe it was one of the "Production Modified" cars then.
They normally did not build them BEFORE they were ordered.
How is your Hood to Grille and Hood to Cowl fit looking?StudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967
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Is the roof seam behind the rear quarter windows leaded? Early production cars were not. Could be a clue.Brad Johnson,
SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
'56 Sky Hawk in process
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Originally posted by TMJ View Post53 Studebaker Starliner
Since it appears that the build sheet is correct, my quandary is whether, because of the known production problems Studebaker had with this model, an unknown number of cars, mine included, were pre production hand assembled to check and perfect the fit. Perhaps they had a number of bodies made and when the front clip wouldn’t fit on, they obviously went about redesigning the attachment. They then used selected bodies to get it right before full production. I was told that American Motors did this with their new Rambler. Any input or opinions would be appreciated.
Nick
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On a tour of the GM plant in Linden, N.J. July 65 I saw a couple of cars that were put on the side of the line that had a purple dye on the sheet metal. They were pilot production cars for the 66's. Studebaker was no different, especially with an all new body for that year.59 Lark wagon, now V-8, H.D. auto!
60 Lark convertible V-8 auto
61 Champ 1/2 ton 4 speed
62 Champ 3/4 ton 5 speed o/drive
62 Champ 3/4 ton auto
62 Daytona convertible V-8 4 speed & 62 Cruiser, auto.
63 G.T. Hawk R-2,4 speed
63 Avanti (2) R-1 auto
64 Zip Van
66 Daytona Sport Sedan(327)V-8 4 speed
66 Cruiser V-8 auto
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I wonder if you (well, the museum, actually) could look up a few adjacent body/serial numbers and see when their production dates were indicated on the build sheets. They couldn't have made a whole lot of pre-production cars, so I'd imagine if you looked at numbers around yours, you'd eventually come to an answer.'63 Lark Custom, 259 v8, auto, child seat
"Your friendly neighborhood Studebaker evangelist"
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I agree that the car was probably built in February. According to factory information I have, there were 3184 cars built in the South Bend plant in January '53, but the ending serial number for that month was 1200685.Restorations by Skip Towne
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Originally posted by studegary View PostDoes your car have the two piece package shelf cover or no cover or a one piece cover?
I'm liking your early February dates.Brad Johnson,
SDC since 1975, ASC since 1990
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight. '53 Commander Starlight
'56 Sky Hawk in process
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Do your front fenders show any evidence of patch-welding at the headlight openings, and leaded smooth on the exposed outside area? E.T. Reynolds Sr. mentioned several years ago, that was a common problem encountered on early-production C-K models.
Craig
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Is the roof seam behind the rear quarter windows leaded? Early production cars were not. Could be a clue.
Jeff in ND
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