Studebaker National Museum's 1963 Studebaker Avanti Chassis 003 Project

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.