(Question) What Is The Real Meaning of "R" As In R-1, R-2,R-3, R-4?

[DEEPNHOCK]

I saw this question over on Facebook yesterday.
Didn't know the answer.
So, for you Stude sleuths....

What is the real and correct answer and meaning of the "R"?

(BTW... I did an advanced search first)

[WCP]

"Racing" maybe?

[Studebaker Wheel]

Race maybe?

[nckid4u]

Revision??

[PackardV8]

We'll all learn something; in fifty years, I've never seen it defined. We know it when we see it, just not how the nomenclature was chosen and why.

jack vines

[8E45E]

Of course, one will have to find out why the Avanti was designated with the letter 'R' first, which is where 'R-series engines' is derived from.

Craig

[Mike Van Veghten]

You all know that there is a "bed" with the title of R2 (R2+)...right ?
Does that mean that Studebaker now has the moniker of, "sleeper"...or "sleeping" ?
Maybe people wont connect the two..!

Mike

[R3 challenger]

Right, Craig. On early Avantis, the serial number began with 63R-, the body number began with 63RQ-, and the engine number with R- (R1) or RS- (R2). Maybe some Avanti expert can tell us why Studebaker chose the letter "R" for these designations.George

[sgriggs]

Loewy coupes are C or K bodies. Champs are T cabs. There are M cab trucks, F body Challengers. Maybe the Avanti should be thought of as the R body.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I just sent a note over to Andy Beckman at the SNM.
Maybe he can supply us with the answer to this pressing question <lol>...

[StudeRich]

BODY TYPES:

A "C" in '47-'52 is a Starlight TYPE Coupe OR in '53-'61 a Sport Coupe, "D" a 2 Door Wagon, "F" a 2 Door Sedan, "J" a '58 to '64 (Sedan) Hardtop, "K" a '53 to '64 Hardtop Sport Coupe, "L" a '60-'64 Convertible.

The Model "M" was Built, "N" was built only as a Prototype & Canceled, "O" was never used for anything, too close to 0.

Skipping O, P was a 4 Door Wagon, "Q" was a '47-'52 Business Coupe,"R" was next to be used??? and the LAST Body Type used!

"S" was a '47-'52 Convertible, "W" was a 4 Door Sedan, "Y" was a long wheelbase Sedan.


MODEL TYPES:
"A" a '47-'50 Commander, "G" a '39-'58 Champion.

This is just food for thought, no one really knows WHAT they were thinking.

[fargoguy]

Loewy coupes are C or K bodies. Champs are T cabs. There are M cab trucks, F body Challengers. Maybe the Avanti should be thought of as the R body.

There were R series trucks too- 1949-54.

[StudeRich]

There were R series trucks too- 1949-54.

As were the "M" and the "C", and 'T", but as TRUCKS.

[sals54]

R-1 means: REALLY FASTER, REALLY QUICKER, REALLY KOOLER, REALLY AWESOMER.
R-2 means: REALLY REALLY FASTER, REALLY REALLY QUICKER, REALLY REALLY KOOLER, REALLY REALLY AWESOMER.
R-3 means: REALLY REALLY REALLY FASTER, etc, etc, etc.....

[8E45E]

Right, Craig. On early Avantis, the serial number began with 63R-, the body number began with 63RQ-, and the engine number with R- (R1) or RS- (R2). Maybe some Avanti expert can tell us why Studebaker chose the letter "R" for these designations.George

Indeed. And previous to 1959, there was 'G', 'B', and 'H' and 'J' depending on engine size, and the South Bend Packards were designated 'L', and followed by their body style letter designation. And in the case of Packard, the 'L' supposedly stood for 'Luxury'.

Craig