The Mystery of the Missing "63": Avanti Serial Number Evolution
Did you know that in early 1963, the Studebaker factory began a quiet but significant change to the Avanti production line? By cross-referencing thousands of original build sheets and dealer invoices, Dan Booth has pinpointed the exact moment the "63R" prefix was abandoned in favor of a simple "R" designation.
In this historical deep-dive, Dan reveals evidence of factory typists literally "scribbling out" the 63 prefix starting around February 12, 1963. Discover the business logic behind this change—likely an "insurance policy" to allow unsold inventory to be titled as 1964 models—and see a rare build sheet for an Avanti shipped to Okinawa, Japan. If you own a 1963 or 1964 Avanti, this article is essential for understanding your car's true production identity and factory provenance.
1963-64 Avanti Build Sheets
(1/2 page) Available for about 99% of the original production
1965-85 Avanti Build Sheets
Available for about 99% of the original production
YOU MUST INCLUDE VIN WHEN ORDERING
1963-64 Avanti Dealers Cost Invoice
(full page) Available for about 15% of the original production
YOU MUST INCLUDE VIN WHEN ORDERING