Studebaker Corp. Serial Number

[Guest dapy]

Looking at a 1964 (square headlight) Avanti. Owner reports title VIN is RQ 2360. We suspect that is incorrect and that the VIN (serial) should be R4892 or higher. Where on the car is the tag? If not still there can the serial be determined from the RQ tag? It is a R1.

The car is in good running condition and believed to originally be gold with an 'elk' interior. Now painted white and the elk died.

[Gunslinger]

That RQ number is the body number...you're correct...the title is wrong and should be corrected. The serial number is on a plate attached to the right frame rail...look under the fan blower motor and it should be on top of the rail. It may well be covered in grease and crud but should wipe off. The plate should read "Studebaker Corporation" and under it the number "R-xxxx". You're correct again as a square headlight car should be R-4892 or above.

The body number has no relation to the car's serial number...it's for administrative records only. The only way to find the serial number from the body number is to look at the build sheet (which is available from either Nostalgic Motors or the Studebaker National Museum)...it's listed there. The catch? Build sheets are filed by serial number. I'm not aware of any data base out there that lists both body and serial numbers to do such a cross search. The build sheet will tell you everything about how the car was outfitted by the factory.

[Guest dapy]

That RQ number is the body number...you're correct...the title is wrong and should be corrected. The serial number is on a plate attached to the right frame rail...look under the fan blower motor and it should be on top of the rail. It may well be covered in grease and crud but should wipe off. The plate should read "Studebaker Corporation" and under it the number "R-xxxx". You're correct again as a square headlight car should be R-4892 or above.

The body number has no relation to the car's serial number...it's for administrative records only. The only way to find the serial number from the body number is to look at the build sheet (which is available from either Nostalgic Motors or the Studebaker National Museum)...it's listed there. The catch? Build sheets are filed by serial number. I'm not aware of any data base out there that lists both body and serial numbers to do such a cross search. The build sheet will tell you everything about how the car was outfitted by the factory.

[Guest dapy]

Thanks. We'll look for the ID.