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'63 R1, a/c, automatic. Over Christmas break in 1969, a teacher at the Jr. High School I was attending bought a used '63, white with orange interior (the "creamsicle", version as some Studebaker executives referred to it ). I spotted the Avanti in the parking lot, and, having never seen one before, I was immediately obsessed!. A few weeks later, on my way home from school, I spotted another '63 in the identical color combination. I chased the car down on my bicycle, and caught up with the driver at a stop sign. Fred,who was amazed at this 12 year old's extensive knowledge of the Studebaker Avanti, had been a long-time loyal Studebaker owner, had bought the car for his wife the day the announcement was made that the South Bend plant would be closing and that the Avanti would no longer be made. He always kept his Avanti in showroom condition, and eventually started taking it to car shows in the '80's and '90's. Fred and I became life-long friends. We shared the same birthdate, and always called each other on our birthday. Fast forward to 2008 - on the call with me that day, Fred said "Jim, I'm turning 80, and it's time to sell the Avanti". I just couldn't believe it. I asked him if anyone in his family had wanted it. He said "No. The car is already sold" My heart was broken-I just couldn't picture Fred without his Avanti, or the possibility of not seeing the car again. I asked him who was buying it. "You", he answered. Huh?????...He went on to say that over the years, he had turned down numerous requests and offers to sell the car, as he had made up his mind that he wanted me to own it after his stewardship. Today the car has 42,000 miles, I'm the second owner, and it remains in showroom condition. I'm taking good care of her, Fred!

!964 R2. Completely original car (other than Real Rodder's 'Halibrands'), including the paint. I am the third owner.

The R3 engine which is/was under the hood of Avanti R5482 was previously under the hood of the ‘Studependous’ drag race Lark….. That R3 engine (B300) started life as an R4 Avanti engine…… True?

Let’s toss you the trophy… Correct!

Lets toss out #3. $4495.

RQ-A 0324, originally nutmeg brown but nw orange.

It seems to me that 1964 models all had woodgrain fascias on the console and dash bezels. There were some BLACK units due to peeling in the excessive heat in the southwest. These should all have had the round air control knobs also. I've seen cars of both years that have been changed both ways at the owners' whims. The Studebaker Avanti Authenticity Manual covers all these questions and topics pretty thoroughly.

The engine in my '63 had been replace with a factory "crate" 289 at an unknown time. At idle, when warm, the engine tends to run lean. During a rebuild of the carburetor, we noticed the additional thermostatic valve added at the rear of the carb and attaches to a PCV. My mechanic and I don't believe the second assembly is needed and the addition vacuum may be opening and adding extra air to the mixture. Any thoughts on just capping this one outside of the carb off, or is it something needed?

The ‘70 I owned…

1963 R1 2817

No ‘bites’ here?

Exactly!…. But I’d say their strategy probably didn’t convince many perspective buyers that a car that was a ‘63 last week is now, on a certain date, a ‘64!…..As we know, Studebaker’s Automotive Division was really ‘on the rocks’ by then.

I don't know why. Back in the day, a lot of manufacturers were doing this in the early fall. Studebaker didn't really have new models each year like the big 3 did, they made ongoing running changes, so a "fall-winter" change over to the next year made sense even if the car didn't change.

I did … The letter I’m quoting was written earlier than the document which you posted…. which indicates the Company changed its mind?? On the other hand, Mr. Minkel’s title with Studebaker is ‘President’ in the earlier letter, while Mr. Challinor’s title is ‘ V.P. and GM of the parts & service division. I would think Mr. Minkel’s letter would hold sway over Mr. Challinor’s ….(My opinion)….Ed Also… The earlier (Minkel’s) letter was sent out to all Studebaker Dealers)

My '71 Avanti II (RQB-1659)

I suggest that you look at the dates on the letters.

It had to be a difficult time for Studebaker Corporation during the summer of 1963…. The idea of calling unsold Avanti automobiles, originally built and considered 1963 models 1964’s after a certain date, seems highly unusual to me!…. More on this oddity in the AVANTI TRIVIA section.

Studebaker Corporation, in 1963, apparently issued two different ‘start’ dates for unsold 1963 models to be titled as 1964 models…. The dates are 9/1/63 and 10/1/63….The jury is out, and I’m asking Ron to check into this.

Please read the above letter which I quoted from… it indicates 10/1/63 as the model year change date… Also, I suggested Ron contact Mr. Krem for a ruling here…Ed

Ron….I see the one month discrepancy between the two letters…. suggest you contact Mr. George Krem for his opinion concerning this….Ed

No need to be sorry, MFG. Regnalbob is a winner with 9/1/63 as that matches the document I referenced.

Check your AOAI Magazine Issue #60, page 15….A letter issued by Lewis Minkel of the Studebaker Corporation, and reprinted by noted Studebaker/Avanti expert George Krem, reads…..(QUOTE) ”Effective October 1, 1963, and until further notice, all new and unused Avanti models, when first sold at retail and licensed or titled after the October 1, 1963 date, will carry the registration year designation year 1964.” The above referenced document, originally issued in 1963 by Studebaker Corporation, indicates (to me anyway) that the correct answer to this trivia question is 10/1/63…. Ed

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