Ricky Nelson Avanti: Serial number R1607 or R1431?

[rgallatin]

Ricky Nelson was definitely a celebrity Avanti owner. The attached photo shows Nelson sitting in a car that is Avanti Gold and clearly has a black vinyl interior. This is almost certainly R1431. R1607 is also credited with belonging to Nelson. www.theavanti.net/nelson.html



(1.) From member "Studebaker Wheel" Jan 01, 2011: "Ricky Nelson purchased his new Avanti in November 1962 from Coventry Motors at 9334 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills California. It is serial number 63R 1431. Avanti Gold with black vinyl trim with automatic, ps, electric windows and air conditioning etc. The last I knew of the car it was owned by AOAI member Neil Lipes in Redford, Michigan. Now you know "the rest of the story!"

(2.) On the other hand, Avanti R1607 was for sale by an online auction house at about the same time. This car came to them from a small museum and was described as: Ricky's red 1963 Studebaker Avanti is serial number R1607. It is an R2 with a supercharger, 4-speed, power steering, power brakes, electric windows, twin traction, and tinted glass. They also claimed to have a sales receipt that verified that the car was bought by original owner Harriet Nelson in 1962.

As manager of www.theavanti.net I would like to publish only the correct information. Any help in clearing up this apparent conflict would be appreciated.

[StudeRich]

It seems that Ricky's Avanti or Avantis are being discussed on one of your other posts here:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?72859-Ricky-Nelson-Avanti&p=757166#post757166

[8E45E]

The name 'Rick Nelson' is not an uncommon name. There could easily have been more than one 'Rick Nelson' who purchased brand new Avantis.

Craig

[rgallatin]

I think that was the consensus concerning the Avanti owned by a Robert Kennedy. It's a good point. In this case I think R1431 was the Nelson car because it matches the car in the photograph. I would still like to find a clarification for the R1607 claim.

[rgallatin]

Same author, but I did not know there were two serial numbers claimed when I made the first post.

[Corvanti]

if the information came from "Studebaker Wheel" (Mr. Quinn), i'd take it to the bank!

since R1607 shows Harriet Nelson as the original owner, perhaps she bought one around the same time as Rick's purchase. or, they were ordered around the same time and the first R2 red with the options ordered, was down the assembly line a bit...

i really don't know - just thinking out loud. maybe some research on Mr. Johnstone's Avanti registry and other sites could confirm build/delivery dates...

[rgallatin]

I agree with you and thanks. Perhaps I am taking all this celebrity stuff too seriously?

[Gunslinger]

There's nothing wrong with searching for the truth and facts. It's not so much whether anyone is taking celebrity stuff too seriously, but finding the provenance of any vehicle in particular...if a car was owned by a celebrity, whether an entertainer (such as Rick Nelson) or an author (like Ian Fleming), the current owner should be aware of it. It affects the value of the car and even whether it gets restored, parted out or simply allowed to rot.

[studelark]

There's nothing wrong with searching for the truth and facts. It's not so much whether anyone is taking celebrity stuff too seriously, but finding the provenance of any vehicle in particular...if a car was owned by a celebrity, whether an entertainer (such as Rick Nelson) or an author (like Ian Fleming), the current owner should be aware of it. It affects the value of the car and even whether it gets restored, parted out or simply allowed to rot.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Well spoken, Gunslinger!! Amen!

Frank Drumheller
Locust Grove, VA
60S-W6
M16-52 1948 Boyer-bodied fire truck

[Gunslinger]

All Avantis (assuming reasonable condition) have a certain market value. The same goes for many commodities. As an example, a late 1800's Colt Single Action Army revolver has a certain base value in reasonable condition. Years back (I believe in the 1950's), a collector purchased a 19th century Colt SAA revolver...nothing appeared particularly special about it. I don't remember what the purchase price was but I believe it was about $75-$95...still a fair sum at that time. The collector requested a certified archive letter for it from Colt...a service they routinely perform for a fee. When the collector received his archive letter from Colt, it turned out the revolver was ordered by and sent to a certain William Barclay Masterson...Bat Masterson. Colt still had his letter ordering the revolver and the production order and shipping logs. Just imagine what that piece of paper meant for the value of that revolver.

The same goes for any documentation or other proof of anyone of note who owned an Avanti or any other Studebaker. How much added value is hard to put a finger on...different celebrities have different levels of notoriety or fame. As time passes fewer even remember some of these celebrities. How many remember who Herb Shriner was and he owned an Avanti. Compare that to the potential of the person who finds proof he owns the Avanti once owned by Ian Fleming.

As I said...provenance can make the difference not just in a car's market value (and bragging rights if that's important), but even whether a particular car gets saved.

Just something to think about.

[JBOYLE]

I think it would be great fun to have an Avanti ordered by a celebrity who really represents the early-60s period. Imagine owning one ordered by the likes of Flemming, Dick Van Dyke or ideally, Sinatra (I don't know if he had one) or Carson. I wouldn't necessarily care about the investment potential (sometimes there's a bump, sometimes not) just a but of fun. And for those who poo-poo the interest a former owner brings to something...allow me to remind you of Lincoln's carriage at the SNM. Although Lincoln is a tad more historic than Nelson...or even Sinatra , a noteworthy owner helps tell the artifacts story and the time it was made and used in.

[Corvanti]

I agree with you and thanks. Perhaps I am taking all this celebrity stuff too seriously?

maybe Harriet bought it for Ozzie, Ricky and Dave's parents.

[Gunslinger]

I think it would be great fun to have an Avanti ordered by a celebrity who really represents the early-60s period. Imagine owning one ordered by the likes of Flemming, Dick Van Dyke or ideally, Sinatra (I don't know if he had one) or Carson. I wouldn't necessarily care about the investment potential (sometimes there's a bump, sometimes not) just a but of fun.

Sinatra allegedly did own an Avanti. I've never seen a serial number documenting which car it was.

[stude dude]

There was some info on the Ian Flemming car and maybe a copy of the production sheet in Turning Wheels a couple of years ago. I have been told the car was destroyed by fire somewhere in Europe many years ago. Maybe someone will know more. His car is fairly distinctive being a factory black car requiring a special order.

Chris.

[BobWaitz]

The name 'Rick Nelson' is not an uncommon name. There could easily have been more than one 'Rick Nelson' who purchased brand new Avantis.

Craig

John (Jon) Voight's LeBaron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm2iNNqj2fQ