Studebaker Avanti options

[garyc]

Of the options introduced in 1963 production, 4 stand out (IMHO) as the beginning of things to come for the rest of the auto industry. In my opinion they were the big block 304 R3 engine (first muscle car IMHO), the Tilt Steering wheel, AM/FM Radio and Transistorized Ignition. What month was the first R3 to come off the car production line and when was the Tilt wheel and AM/FM radio options announced for production orders?

[Silverplate]

The AM/FM radio and tilt wheel actually referred to as the Adjustomatic Steering Wheel became available 9-16-63.

[mfg]

Question....Are you speaking about the first of the nine factory R3 '64 Avantis, or the one and only R3 '64 Commander?

[Silverplate]

First Avanti R3 month July.

[garyc]

Production records show R-5089 as the first production R3 Avanti and it came of the line in August 1963. It was the first of the 9 R3's produced. 283 Avanti's were rolled out that month. Regarding the R3 Commander I'm not familiar with it's manufacture. 9/16/'63 is the date of the Sales Letter introducing the radio and steering option.