B serail number Avanti's

[JDP]

Many of us have pondered the B after the serial number on a few Avanti titles and here's a very possible answer from a Craig's list ad.

"The numbers are R-4886B. The B indicated it met California pollution standards for 1964" The other possible reason would be the need for at least 5 digits. If it was the former, why just Avanti's with the B ?

JDP/Maryland
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,839.60
63 Daytona HT/4 speed
63 Lark 2 door

[StudeRich]

I always thought it was the re-stamped (A or B) '63's after Studebaker issued the letter indicating which late '63 Avantis were supposed to be registered as '64's![:0]

My Calif. registered '63 is R4275A, typo-ed on the title as a "B", and on the Production order as a BASIC (no alpha).

Also the Calif. title "body type model" box says: "Sed64R"! It appears to be clearly a registration thing, so the Dealers would not take the depreciation hit on left-over models. [:0]

StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

I always thought it was the re-stamped (A or B) '63's after Studebaker issued the letter indicating which late '63 Avantis were supposed to be registered as '64's![:0]

My Calif. registered '63 is R4275A, typo-ed on the title as a "B", and on the Production order as a BASIC (no alpha).

Also the Calif. title "body type model" box says: "Sed64R"! It appears to be clearly a registration thing, so the Dealers would not take the depreciation hit on left-over models. [:0]

StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[Thomas63R2]

I'll see if I can find a scanner to post a copy of the letter "To All Studebaker Dealers in the State of California" dated February 18, 1963.

Here's the deal: starting in March 1963 California required that all vins have a minimum of 8 digits. The letter to the dealers instructs them to stamp an "A" of 1/4" size following 63RXXXX

For the 1964 year model the "A" became a "B". If your Avanti has either the A or the B then it was originally sold in California on or after March 1 1963.

Thomas

Long time hot rodder
Packrat junk collector
'63 Avanti R2 4 speed

[Thomas63R2]

I'll see if I can find a scanner to post a copy of the letter "To All Studebaker Dealers in the State of California" dated February 18, 1963.

Here's the deal: starting in March 1963 California required that all vins have a minimum of 8 digits. The letter to the dealers instructs them to stamp an "A" of 1/4" size following 63RXXXX

For the 1964 year model the "A" became a "B". If your Avanti has either the A or the B then it was originally sold in California on or after March 1 1963.

Thomas

Long time hot rodder
Packrat junk collector
'63 Avanti R2 4 speed

[JDP]

Thanks for the final answer to that particular historical issue, we learn more every day.

JDP/Maryland
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,839.60
63 Daytona HT/4 speed
63 Lark 2 door

[JDP]

Thanks for the final answer to that particular historical issue, we learn more every day.

JDP/Maryland
64 R2 GT (Sid)
spent to date $62,839.60
63 Daytona HT/4 speed
63 Lark 2 door