Info on 1963 Cruiser

[sirhc123]

I just bought this car, having a hard time finding info on this 1963 Studebaker lark Cruiser with Avanti Power with a factory 4 speed.
Can you please point me in the right direction to find some info on this car. I found two numbers on the original bill of sale that was in the glove box. 63VY8 3218 8cyl 4 DR Cruiser 63V-16001 Can anyone help please?

[studegary]

I just bought this car, having a hard time finding info on this 1963 Studebaker lark Cruiser with Avanti Power with a factory 4 speed.
Can you please point me in the right direction to find some info on this car. I found two numbers on the original bill of sale that was in the glove box. 63VY8 3218 8cyl 4 DR Cruiser 63V-16001 Can anyone help please?

Welcome to the SDC Forum!

That is a very nice and interesting Cruiser. I owned a low mileage '63 Cruiser, but not that nicely equipped.

For starters (to get you off on the right foot), for 1963 the Cruiser was a model of its own, like Hawk or Avanti, and not considered, by Studebaker, to be part of the Lark line, even though it is basically a Lark and looks like a Lark.

63V-Y8 3218 is the Body Tag information and identifies the car as a 1963 V8 Cruiser assembled in South Bend.

63V -16001 is the Serial Number that is commonly used as a VIN (vehicle identifiction number). It identifies the car as a South Bend built V8 1963 model built about one-half through the model year.

You can get the build sheet for your car from the Studebaker National Museum. That will give you much more information on your Cruiser.

Is your Cruiser an R1 or R2 (supercharged)?

[sirhc123]

It is not supercharged, the bill of sale says Jet thrust engine. Thanks for your reply

[sirhc123]

There are two badges on the bottom of the the front fenders that say Avanti Power.

[Corvanti]

Welcome!

check the engine number - it should start with "JTS" or "JT" - i can't recall. i also can't recall right now where to locate the engine #. "having a bad day".

others should be along shortly with the location, etc. - if you have a problem finding it.

(great info, Gary)!!!

[sirhc123]

Here is a pic of the bill of sale

[2R2]

Wow, a R1 Cruiser with a factory four speed!! According to my information, the car came without bucket seats, had drum brakes, open rear end, and was painted Green Mist. By the way, that document you have is the car's window sticker, a pretty nice document to have!

Keep us posted on the car, and feel free to ask questions. Any Lark with a R1 (like yours) or a R2 engine are very interesting vehicles!

[Bill Pressler]

Wow, interesting car, and with the window sticker to boot! Good for you!

Most of us don't have the window stickers for our cars, that's for sure!

The Studebaker National Museum does have the production order for your car, but about the only info of interest, IMHO, that isn't on your window sticker would be the engine number (JT-xxxx, which is stamped on the top of the engine to the right of center when facing the engine).

No power steering, non-power drum brakes, no radio, blackwall tires, and possibly little hub caps, although full wheel discs may have been standard on Cruisers; I'm too lazy to check right now! LOL

I'd bet that car was ordered for a retail customer (which would show on the production order).

The Studebaker National Museum would also have dealer contract cards (two different styles) that would tell you what years the selling dealer was open among other things, and also may have a card naming the original owner of the car (although their '63 model year records are a bit sketchy). I'd want that info if it were my car though...don't you hate when people suggest how to spend your money? LOL

Congrats on a very interesting car! A '63 Cruiser is my favorite four-door Studebaker....there's something about that formal four-door roofline that reminds me of mid-seventies Sevilles and/or '77 Caprice Classics, both nice cars IMHO.

[Guido]

Bill, there was a nice '63 Cruiser for sale in the Lima area about 6 weeks ago.

[sirhc123]

I know that the car was ordered by a dealership in Plentywood MT my uncle bought it from the dealer, he was the only owner. The car was in a barn the whole time last time it was last licensed was 1989. It has 62000 miles on it, the only engine number i was able to find by the front of the motor by the intake is 1554641. If that helps

[raoul5788]

Look on the top front drivers side of the engine. There is a flat spot where the engine number is stamped.

[BShaw]

Here is where to look:

[studefan]

With the green mist paint, R1, and 4 speed, I am going to predict its the only 63 Cruiser made in that combination. Somebody will let us know for sure though.

[2R2]

The engine number for the car when it left the factory was JT1380. It is one of 104 Cruisers built with the R1 engine, a pretty rare car.

[8E45E]

The engine number for the car when it left the factory was JT1380. It is one of 104 Cruisers built with the R1 engine, a pretty rare car.

I wonder if this one ever found a good home: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ght=broadcloth

Craig