Studebaker National Museum's 1963 Studebaker Avanti Chassis 003 Project
Please note the Avanti has the 933A Regal Orange interior.
Please note the engine number (RS1005) does not match the chassis number (RS1003). This was common as the engines were numbered in the engine plant and then selected as production needed, with the car’s engine number being recorded sometime during final assembly.
Description
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
This historic 1963 Studebaker Avanti offered from the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana, chassis 63R1003, is one of the oldest known to exist and just the third Avanti produced. The Avanti was Studebaker’s last roll of the dice, designed and created in just 40 days by Raymond Loewy and his design team. The striking, fiberglass-bodied coupe went on sale in 1963 and was marketed as “America’s only four-passenger high-performance personal car!” With its front power-assisted disc brakes, luxuriously trimmed, aircraft-inspired interior, and optional Paxton supercharged V8 engines and four-speed transmission, the Avanti was a true high-speed grand tourer. To prove it, 29 records were set by an Avanti at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
63R1003 was finished in Avanti White with Deluxe Orange interior, powered by the supercharged R2 289 cu-in V8, and was sent to Studebaker’s regional sales manager in the Fort Worth, Texas, area. J.W. Bateman was a Studebaker dealer in Fort Worth, who bought the Avanti when automobile production ended. It was then sold to a series of owners beginning in 1982. At some point the supercharger was removed, possibly by Bateman, and factory air conditioning installed (the optional Paxton supercharger or A/C compressor was installed in the same location).
63R1003 is in rough condition but could be the solid foundation for restoration, and the centerpiece of any collection.
Highlights
Historic third Studebaker Avanti produced
Very original Avanti with documented history
Studebaker R2 289 cu-in V8 with supercharger removed
Four-speed manual transmission
The chassis number (63R1003) decodes as:
63 – 1963 model year
R – Avanti
1003 – Sequential production number starting at 1001
Features
Features of Avanti 63R1003 from factory build sheet include:
6-62 – Final assembly date June 1962
Body color 6331 – Avanti White
Interior 933A – Regal Orange
1 – Supercharger
10 – Four-speed Borg Warner manual transmission
26B – Tinted glass
34 – Power steering
45 – Hill Holder
50 – Twin Traction differential
55 – White sidewall tires
72A – AM radio
77 – Rear speaker
99 – Antenna
Retrofit factory air conditioning
Factory R2 cylinder heads (casting number 1557582)
Aftermarket AM/FM radio
Known owners include:
19 November 1963 – J.W. Bateman, Fort Worth, Texas
1 September 1982 – Rick Grape, Fort Worth, Texas
16 October 1984 – Bob Cawthon, Dallas, Texas
26 October 1984 – Frank Letts, Houston, Texas
10 July 1985 – Kent Bigelow, Houston, Texas
Known Imperfections
Engine turns when rolling car in gear but does not start or run
Hood hinge pocket is broken on driver’s side
Passenger side door hinge pocket is also fractured
Damage is visible on leading edge of the passenger front fender, possibly from heat/fire
Supercharger was removed during air conditioning retrofit
Included
Factory build sheet
History file
Ownership History
This is the third Studebaker Avanti produced, serial number 63R1003. It was an R2 supercharged four-speed car, but the supercharger was removed and factory air-conditioning added sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. This Avanti has a documented history. It was an estate gift to the Studebaker National Museum, and all proceeds from this sale will benefit the Museum. The title is clear and in the name of the Studebaker National Museum.
