VIN Numbers

[pantera928]

Are the only VIN numbers on 1980 and earlier Avantis just the RQA and RQB numbers? When did they start using the VIN numbers like you see on cars today?

Thanks

[silverstude]

I don't think I've ever seen a tin windshield VIN strip on an Avanti before 1983, but here are a few references to the chronology

 

https://studebaker-info.org/rjtechmay2021p2.html#VIN

 

[studegary]

ISTR that the 17 number/letter VIN first became a requirement in the USA for the 1981 model year. 

[pantera928]

Okay so the only VIN on a 1980 or earlier is the RQ number?

[studegary]

9 minutes ago, pantera928 said:

Okay so the only VIN on a 1980 or earlier is the RQ number?

Yes and no.  1963s started with 63R and then went to R, followed by four digits plus an A or B for some California cars.  1965 to some 1970s started with RQA and some 1970s to some 1985s started with RQB (followed by four numbers).  I won't go into the even later years.