What is this 63 R1 4 speed sedan worth?

[tstclr]

The owner got back to me. Sounds like a legit car. The engine is stamped JT1615. Can anyone decode the 1615? The car is apparently listed in the JTN. The owner acknowledged the valve cover that is wrong an said he doesn't recall it ever having R1 emblems. He is going to send me more detailed photos.
Todd


63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[JDP]

1615 is just the serial number, they started at 1001.

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64 Daytona HT
64 Daytona Convert.
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
63 R1 GT Hawk
63 Avanti R1/AC
63 Avanti R2/4 speed
62 Daytona HT
62 Lark 2 door
60 Hawk

[2R2]

According to the production records, engine #JT1615 came in car number 63V-23928. This was a Lark Custom 2-door, R1-4speed-drum brakes-twin trac-bench seat-non package car, painted black.

Eric
'49 2R-5 (original survivor)
'63 R2-Lark (barely surviving)

[R2Andrea]

tstclr,
Check the cars serial number, it should be 63V23928. It's a legit JT powered car. R1/4 speed Custom 4dr. in Velvet black, with HD springs and shocks. It "should" have had the fender badges, based on it's build date.
Buy it, restore it and have fun.
BTW, there were 14 R1 Custom 4 drs built for 1963.

R2Andy

[tstclr]

Thats the car-it's a 2door. Geez, it sounds like it's worth saving doesn't it? Does anyone know if the cowl sheetmetal is still available at SASCO?
Todd


63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[Dick Steinkamp]

How does that number cross to both a two door and a four door?

[Jessie J.]

You really need to check out the condition of the chassis, the rear frame rails in particular. I have a '64 that looked much better and restorable but close examination revealed rear frame rails that my fingers could poke holes through.
Not advising don't buy, just that finding serious frame rot would be a negotiating point to get a better price, if it isas bad as it looks, and the frame is junk, it would be a terrific doner for your present '63.
In my own opinion, I'd much rather own a solid car with a vin# plate swap than a "matching number" rust bucket. (mine don't even have enough of the rear crossmember left for a hidden vin# stamping-they don't show up well on thin air)

[JDP]

After the 50 plus posts on the NG about secret serial numbers, I restamped the frame number on my R2 with th MVA's blessing, but neither the factory frame nor the donor frames number was visible.
Dennis at SASCO claimed it was never intended for any registration purpose and factory replacement frames were blank.


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64 Daytona HT
64 Daytona Convert.
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
63 R1 GT Hawk
63 Avanti R1/AC
63 Avanti R2/4 speed
62 Daytona HT
62 Lark 2 door
60 Hawk

[tstclr]

I've been struggling with that issue. Is it morally acceptible to rebody such a car? The frame on my 63 is excellent, however it is a 6cyl frame. My cowl wasnt too bad- I have since repaired the rust on it. My doors are excellent. My front floors and rockers should be replaced to fix poor previous patching. Still, with what I have invested in mine including all the NOS parts I have found so far, I could probably have a nice car for under 10k.
Todd


63 Lark 2dr Sedan

[JDP]

This is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. If you have legal title to a rust bucket and a solid car you should be able to build one good car out of both. I don't know anout swapping a V8 frame for a six though. If you were to rebuild the car with used parts just as they coud have using new, and they are the right parts, I'd call it a restoration. If you are trying to make something that did not exist or you did not have legal title to, that's a different issue. i.e. making a Speedster out of a 55 President donor when you did not start with a Speedster. As to swapping VIN plates, you'd have to do that if you bougt a new door pillar from SASCO to replace a rusted one. If and when you sell the car, share how you did the restoration just in case the new owner might be concerned. Many a multi-million dollar Classic started out as a serial plate, title, and engine and little else.

Studebaker On The Net http://stude.com
Studebaker News Group

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64 Daytona HT
64 Daytona Convert.
64 R2 4 speed Challenger
63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk
63 R1 GT Hawk
63 Avanti R1/AC
63 Avanti R2/4 speed
62 Daytona HT
62 Lark 2 door
60 Hawk

[R2Andrea]

My Bad,
63V23928 IS a Custom 2 dr. I was using my original production notes which are all most unreadable now. And just 2weeks ago the eye doctor said I don't need glasses...HA, what do they know
Although your 6 cyl frame may be in better shape than what's in this car now, thats not saying much. The Champ 2 drs got the thinnest guage of the lot. you are better off with at least a V8 frame or better yet, one from a hardtop (you'll have to remove the extra body mounts if you use the J8 frame).
Sorry for the confusion.

R2Andy

[54-61-62]

I have personally seen this car while buying some other cars from the guy. The car is much better then the pictures look, I would say the frame is usable and it would be a good full restoration "builder". The botchy paint and surface rust really dosn't do the car justice.

KF