SN 63R-3077

[Mistro]

Sorry to start so many threads with so many questions but can anyone tell me anything about this serial number which the seller represents is the car’s sn. BTW he represents that the engine is a sn of R-2457 and that the factory installed options are:Automatic Drive, PS, WW tires, radio, rear speaker, seat belts & a silent muffler.

 Also original bill of sale calls  this car a 63 Red Tutor. What’s a Tutor in regard to the Avant. Thanks.

[Gunslinger]

63R-3077 doesn't tell you anything beyond the car's serial number...no special or secret codings involved that tells how the car was equipped.  An engine number of R2457 is simply the engine number for an R1...nothing special about that beyond confirming it's an Avanti engine.  If it was a supercharged car the engine number would start with "RS" rather than "R".  There was no attempt by Studebaker to match the engine number to the car's serial number.  If that happened at all, it was strictly happenstance and I've never heard of a car and engine having matching numbers.  

The other items on how the car is represented as being originally equipped with is nothing special beyond being well equipped outside of not having a/c.  An automatic transmission was more common than a manual transmission...power steering was very, very common...same with w/w tires...radio was standard and a "delete option"...seat belts were standard...the rear speaker was a somewhat less common option.  The silent mufflers are somewhat different as most came with the straight-through mufflers.  It sounds like whomever originally ordered the car wanted a nice cruiser more than a street machine.  The lack of a/c could mean where the car was purchased could be cool most of the year or the buyer simply didn't care for it.

The "Red Tutor" I can't say for sure.  The color would have been named "Avanti Red".  "Tutor" could be a salesman's misspelling or shorthand for "Two Door".

[Mistro]

Many thanks for the info. I saw my first Avanti in flesh last month in Palm Springs. I can’t believe I’m considering purchasing this car so soon after seeing my first one.

[StudeNorm]

This is from the Roster pages... public domain.  It looks like the car may have changed hands since this was submitted.

R1 R-3077 - Phillip G. Eichacker, Winthrop, MA - AOAI 1995 – 1996

[studegary]

Tutor is probably tudor,  in error.  Tudor is Ford speak for two door.  If the car spent time in the Northeast,  the fiberglass body may look great, but the important part is the amount of rust on the frame and torque boxes ("hog troughs").  Recent pictures of the frame and underbody may be enough for you to decide whether to pursue paying for an inspection.   

[Mistro]

Car was sold. But the search continues! I’ll be joining the Avanti association btw. Rgds, Mike