63/64 Avantis

[brngarage]

How many '63 Avantis were produced and how many '64's? Thanks Howard

[StudeRich]

The AOA or whatever Avanti Club would know, if it actually Matters.

[64studeavanti]

Been some debate as to when 64 model year began. An accepted number is 809 for 64 model year.

For more info,

https://www.theavanti.com/production.html

https://www.studebaker-info.org/AVDB1/R4000/the1964avanti.html

[6hk71400]

As I recall, it was published in Turning Wheels years ago, that 809 1964 Model Avanti's were produced but I don't remember when the round headlight models were supplemented by the square headlight models, but there were 54 round headlight models. Of that 9 R3 models were made. Total Avanti production from June 1962 to December 1963 4,647. 1,389 produced in 1962 and total 1963 and 1964 models were 3258 of which 50 were transitional models between 1963 and 1964.

Avanti''s were produced with the idea in mind that there would be running changes during the model year. That must make a restorers just as Artie Johnson used to say on Laugh In
Verrry Interesting.

I got this information from Bob"s Studebaker resource website.

Howard hope this helps

[6hk71400]

Total counting the 50 transitional models the total 63 model number would be 2449

[64studeavanti]

Since the Avantis assembled in 1962 are 63 model year, wouldn't that make it 3838 63s and 809 64s? Total production was 4647 for both model years less the 809 64s is 3838 63s.

[paintim613]

These are the numbers that probably the most widely accepted.

[Mark L]

As you can see, it depends who you ask.

According to page 3 of the Avanti Production Data monograph sold by the Studebaker National Museum, there were 3,834 1963 models and 809 1964 models (4,643 total).

According to the Avanti Authenticity Manual, Introduction, page VII, it's broken down in a little more detail as follows:

There were a total of 1,389 produced in 1962 and another 3,258 produced in all of 1963 (4,647 total). It then breaks down the 1963 calendar year production as:

2,418 1963 models.

30 1963/1964 transition models.

54 1964 models with the round headlights.

764 full 1964 models.

This adds up to 3,266 Avantis produced in calendar year 1963, which is 8 more than the 3,258 cited just a few sentences before.

If the 1963 calendar year production is further scrutinized and combined with the 1962 calendar year production, we get 3,807 1963 models, 30 transition models, and 818 1964 models. This adds up to 4,655 total (8 more than 4,647).

The Authenticity Manual states, "The exact numbers have been debated; but this is the most widely accepted accounting of production numbers."

So Howard, I think you just reignited the debate.

[bezhawk]

What about the 11pre-production hand- made prototypes?

[Mark L]

How many of the prototypes were put back onto the production line and sold as finished cars? I know some were.

[8E45E]

How many of the prototypes were put back onto the production line and sold as finished cars? I know some were.

Answer below:



Craig

[aardvark]

Very interesting info, Guys.
Weren't there a few that were "rodded up''. out of the factory.... Calling them a R-3... for running land speed testing and record breaking at 212ish mph?

[paintim613]

Supposedly nine '63 R3s came from the factory. One came to Leeper Studebaker in Yuma, AZ.

[StudeRich]

Paxton took care of all the "Rodding Up" !
One EX (2942) likely went to Santa Monica for Paxton Modifications and Testing.
And more later, to become "299" and "304" Powered R3, R4 and One R5.

[daytonadave]

aardvark, don't you have a copy of the January, 1964, Hot Rod Magazine of Studebaker's world records set at Bonneville? My Dad subscribed to Hot Rod magazine and I tore the cover off this one.

[firestoper 25]

Anybody know the 'fire story' of EX 2043, the engineering endurance Avanti ? I also have a toasted Avanti.... 63R1182, which was burned as a result of a business building fire. Thus my curiosity I guess.

[Hawklover]

Speaking of Prototype, what ever happened to the "pop rivited" first Avanti? It was shown at the national meet in the late 1980s I think?