Research and information courtesy of Bill Pressler, Kent OH.

Avanti-powered Skytops…….two great options available on 1963 Studebaker Larks! But how many were actually produced? Through the diligent research of Bill Pressler, we can report the actual number of 1963 Avanti-powered Skytops, plus provide the serial numbers and equipment breakdown. Bill performed the initial research at the ‘old’ Newman & Altman, where the Studebaker Production Orders were made available by Geoff Newman. Additional research was done in 2008 at the Studebaker National Museum Archives. 

Summary:
Five (5) of the Skytops were R2-powered, and nine (9) of the Skytops were R1-powered 

Eleven (11) of the Skytops were Daytona hardtops; two (2) were Cruisers; one (1) was a Custom two-door sedan 

Four (4) of the Skytops were air conditioned 

Seven (7) had black sunroof fabric; seven (7) had white sunroof fabric 

Two (2) had the High Performance Package 

Transmission Breakdown: standard Flightomatic -- 1;  Heavy Duty Flightomatic -- 5;  Powershift -- 3;  Four-Speed -- 5 

Listing by Serial Number:
A complete listing of the fourteen Avanti-powered Skytops. List is sorted by Serial Number, and includes the following information on each car: engine type (R1 or R2), body type, body color and Skytop color, transmission type, other options, and destination. Where known, the current or last known owner of the car is listed. Click on the small thumbnails after the descriptions to see pictures of each car (if available). See NOTES at bottom for abbreviations.

63V5224 -- R1 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Ermine White w/White Skytop; Red Vinyl trim with matching inserts; standard Flightomatic; Other Options: TT, PB, Tinted Glass (all windows), A/C; Destination: Moorhead MN; Serviced for Retail Delivery on 10/8/62; Retail Delivery at South Bend 10/62, first owner Peter Duginski, Moorhead, MN (currently owned by Gordon Hamilton, Victoria AUS)      ......even more pictures HERE! 

63V8704 -- R2 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Champagne Gold w/Black Skytop; Black Vinyl Trim with matching inserts; 4-speed; Other Options: PDB, Bucket Seats; Destination: Grand Rapids MI; shipped to Gezon Motor Sales, 720 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids 2, MI, on 10/30/62; no original purchaser information found

63V8817 -- R2 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Green Mist w/White Skytop; Green Cloth trim; HD Flightomatic; Other Options: PDB, Tinted Glass (all windows); Production order indicates “Destination: South Bend” **, however the shipping certificate indicates Destination as "Public Rel. Dept., Studebaker Corp., 635 S. Main St., South Bend" but changed to "Public Relations Dept., SASCO, L.A. Zone, Los Angeles, CA", shipped 10/23/62; first owner N. Sutton, 401 Ave. G, Redondo Beach, CA; purchased 10/16/63 (according to the Jet Thrust Roster, Hershel Johnson of Upland CA owned this car about 13 years ago; not sure if he is the current owner)

63V10524 -- R1 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Regal Red w/Black Skytop; Black Vinyl Trim with matching inserts; 4-speed; Other Options: TT, PDB, Bucket Seats; Destination: South Bend **; shipped to Freeman Spicer, 520 S. Lafayette St., South Bend, IN, on 10/26/62; no original purchaser information found

63V10567 -- R1 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Regal Red w/Black Skytop; Black Vinyl trim with matching inserts ; 4-speed; Other Options: TT, PDB, Bucket Seats, A/C; Destination: Plattsmouth NE; shipped to Wiysel Auto Service, Chicago Ave. and Holdrege Street, Plattsmouth, NE; no original purchaser information found (currently owned by Paul Mikkelsen, Nebraska USA)

63V10595 -- R1 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Champagne Gold w/White Skytop; interior "TV"  (Tan Vinyl…….no mention on prod. order of inserts, which may indicate white inserts); HD Flightomatic; Other Options: TT, PDB, Bucket Seats, Tinted Glass (all windows), A/C; Destination: Miami FL; shipped to Studebaker Miami, 2201 N.E. 2nd Ave., Miami, FL on 10/31/62; Original purchaser "Dade Co. BD PUB", Miami, FL; purchase date 9/3/63

63V11136 -- R1 engine; Cruiser; Velvet Black w/White Skytop; Red Broadcloth Trim; HD Flightomatic; Other Options: TT, PDB; Destination: Cincinnati OH; no Drive-Away Shipper form OR original purchaser info was found (currently owned by Jon Carter, Arizona USA; original engine not with car)

63V12595 -- R2 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Blue Mist w/Black Skytop; Blue Vinyl trim with matching inserts; 4-speed; Other Options: TT, PDB; Destination: Dixon IL; shipped to Campbell Motor Sales, 905 N. Galena Ave., Dixon, IL, on 11/8/62; no original purchaser information found

63V17632 -- R1 engine; Cruiser; Ermine White w/White Skytop; Red Broadcloth Trim; HD Flightomatic; Other Options: TT, PDB, Tinted Glass (all windows), A/C; Destination: Cleveland Heights OH *; shipped to L.S. Kerr Motors Inc., 3957 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH, on 12/22/62; no original purchaser information found; however, on the shipping certificate where the dealer's financing bank name is normally located, it said "Evan B. Brewster, Akron 3, OH" which was crossed out and a bank's name typed in

63V29332 -- R2 engine w/High Performance Package; Daytona Hardtop; Velvet Black w/Black Skytop; Black Vinyl trim with matching inserts; 4-speed; Other Options: TT, PDB, HD springs & shocks, Bucket Seats; Destination: Corning NY; shipped to Franchi Motors Inc., 351 W. Pulteney St., Corning, NY, on 5/17/63; first owner T. Borden, 281 E. Dennison Pkwy., Corning, NY; purchase date 9/24/63

63V31238 -- R2 engine w/High Performance Package; Custom 2-door Sedan; Super Red w/White Skytop; Black Vinyl trim with matching inserts; Powershift; Other Options: TT, PDB, HD springs & shocks, Bucket Seats; Destination: Hollidaysburg PA; shipped to Hecker Motor Sales, 121 Park St., Hollidaysburg, PA on 5/15/63; first owner W.C. Stephens, 5017 Highland Park, Altoona, PA; purchase date 2/28/64 (Bill Pressler’s contact with Mr. Stephens recently indicated he didn't remember owning such a car but was a friend of the dealer)

63V31447 -- R1 engine; Daytona hardtop; Regal Red w/White Skytop; Red Vinyl trim with matching inserts; Powershift; Other Options: TT, PDB, Bucket Seats; Destination: Cleveland Heights OH *; Drive-Away Shipper form had original “Cleveland Heights OH” destination crossed out and changed to Arthurs Auto Sales, 1650 W. Main St., Gaylord, MI; shipped 10/10/63; however, selling dealer is listed as McNeer Motor Co., Portsmouth, OH and at the bottom of the card, it says "For Region or Factory Use Only" and says "Consignee's Initials and Name", J.E. Breen, "Formerly Region Consigned on 1/30/64"; first owner R.F. Channel of Portsmouth, OH; purchase date 2/14/64  (currently owned by Paul and Michele Warta, North Carolina USA) 

 63V33764 -- R1 engine; Daytona Hardtop; Ermine White w/Black Skytop; Black Vinyl trim with matching inserts; Powershift; Other Options: TT, PDB, Bucket Seats; Destination: Cleveland Heights, OH *; Drive-Away Shipper form had original “Cleveland Heights OH” destination crossed out and changed to Cummings Auto Sales, Park and Tipton Streets, Seymour, IN; shipped 10/16/63; however, selling dealer is listed as Wilmot Motors in Hamilton, OH; first owner Grant Shockey, South Lebanon, OH; purchase date 2/15/64 (according to the Jet Thrust Roster, Tom Stoka owned this car at one time, and sold it in 1978; Nelson Bove also owned this car at one time; the cars current whereabouts is unknown)

NOTES:
 *  Three (3) of the fourteen (14) Avanti-powered Skytops were ordered by one dealer, L.S. Kerr Motors Inc, 3957 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. We now know, after Bill Pressler’s additional research in 2008, that only one of these three cars was actually shipped to L.S. Kerr Motors; the other two were re-routed to different dealers.
 ** According to David Spilski (formally of Newman & Altman, and now part of the 'new' SASCO), a 'South Bend' destination noted on a production order could mean either the car's final destination was South Bend, or the car was being placed in one of Studebaker's storage lots where dealers could visit and hand-select cars to buy and take home with them for retail sale.
 TT = Twin Traction rear axle     PB = Power Brakes     PDB = Power Disc Brakes     HD = Heavy Duty     A/C = Air Conditioning

 If anyone knows the whereabouts, or any of the history, of any of these cars that do not list a current owner, please let us know at webmaster@studebakerskytop.com !!

'63 R1 Daytona Skytop 63V 31447

Production, Shipping, and Sales Documentation used by Studebaker in 1963

During Bill Pressler's recent research at the Studebaker National Museum Archives, he utilized a number of different forms and resources to document the details of the fourteen Avanti-powered Skytops built in 1963. Several of the forms I had heard about but had never saw before. From information provided by both Bill Pressler and Richard Quinn, the following describes Production, Shipping, and Sales Documentation utilized by Studebaker in 1963. Any corrections and additional detail is welcomed.

Production Orders –
Two (2) different “Production Orders” were used – Studebaker Form W 703, and Form W 704. The two forms were almost identical, but were used for different purposes.

Form W 703:
The Passenger Car Production Order – Body Set (Studebaker Form number W 703) form was prepared by the Car Order Department and was the specification for the assembly of a specific car to fill a specific order (be it a dealer order, or a car built for 'inventory'). According to Studebaker historian Richard Quinn, “The form number W 703 copy was taped to the firewall after the body was painted in the body building. At that point it did not have a serial number on it since it was a "body only" with no chassis (i.e. no serial number). The body with the firewall copy (W 703) attached was transported by the overhead conveyor to the final assembly building. This copy had all of the necessary info to instruct the men in final assembly re options and accessories.”  Form W 703 consisted of multiple sheets with carbon paper between them, but how many sheets and what each specific sheet was used for is not currently known. 

The “Description of Unit and Equipment” (i.e., the model, drivetrain specifics, exterior color, interior material type and color, optional equipment, and special instructions and/or handling if applicable), anticipated Date To Ship, order Date Written, the Sales Order Number, the Factory Order Number, Destination, and Zone Code was typed onto Form W 703 by the Car Order Department. 

A number of Studebaker owners have discovered an “INSTRUMENT PANEL COPY” of Form W 703 stuffed between the top of the inner cardboard glovebox and the underside of the dashpad. A scanned copy of an actual Instrument Panel Copy of Form W 703 is below, found in a 1964 Studebaker Commander owned by Paul & Michele Warta. Note that the Line Number, Serial Number, Body Number, Ignition & Trunk Key Number, Final Assembly Date, and Engine Number are not filled in since these were not available when Form W 703 was prepared. 

Form W 704:
The most commonly seen documentation, the Passenger Car Production Order – Final Assembly Line (Studebaker Form number W 704) form, was also prepared by the Car Order Department, and used as a record of the order and build of a specific car, and to support the various functions/tasks involved after the car was actually built (for example, the billing/accounting processes). Form W 704 consisted of 7 sheets with carbon paper between them, specifically:

1. LINE SETTING FILE COPY     
2. ACCOUNTING DEPT. 
3. CAR ORDER & BILLING COPY
4. PRODUCTION RECORD COPY
5. SHIPPING DEPT. COPY
6. DEPT. 158
7. CAR INSPECTION RECORD COPY (with the GATE PASS on the back of this sheet)

On Form W 704, the same information was typed on as on Form W 703; in fact, it is possible that the Car Order Department initially populated both forms at the same time. At some point the Line Number would have to be added Form W 704 prior to final assembly. Then, after the car was built, the additional information was filled in on Form W 704: the Serial Number, Body Number, Ignition & Trunk Key Number, Final Assembly Date, and Engine Number. The fields for Date Shipped and Shipper Number seem to have been used sporadically or not at all; note that this shipper information would have been recorded on the Drive-Away Shipper Form (see below) anyway. See the photocopy of the original PRODUCTION RECORD COPY for Gordon Hamilton’s ’63 Daytona R1 Skytop below. Copies of the PRODUCTION RECORD COPY for 1936 thru 1966 Studebakers are on-file in the Studebaker National Museum Archives, and copies are available from the Studebaker National Museum Store.

Drive-Away Shipper Form –
The Drive-Away Shipper (Studebaker Form W 670) contained the same Description of Unit and Equipment information as contained on Forms W703 and W 704. In addition, Form W 670 recorded the Sold To dealer name and address; the Date To Ship; the Sales Order Number; the Factory Order Number; the dealer’s Zone; the Zone & Dealer Code; the Bank Or Finance Company providing the financing of the dealer’s “floorplan”; the carrier’s name on the row marked Via; the Engine Number; the Serial Number; and the car’s Total Weight. The Drive-Away Shipper forms are on-file in the Studebaker National Museum Archives. A photocopy of the original Drive-Away Shipper form for Bill Pressler’s 63 Daytona R1 serial 63V 5224 is reproduced below. Note that on 63V 5224, the Ship To is listed as South Bend Indiana, since the car was serviced for retail delivery and picked up in South Bend by its first owner Pete Duginski.

Retail Sales Cards –
There were two types of Retail Sales Cards. The original-style cards record the original purchaser’s name and address, the selling dealer’s four-digit code, and the date of sale. The original-style Retail Sales Cards are on file in the SNM archives, starting with the 1960 model year and are filed by serial number. A photocopy of an original (early) style Retail Sales Card for 63V 8357 is reproduced below. 

The later-style Retail Sales Card (Studebaker Form number B1039) includes the previous information plus the purchaser's occupation and trade-in, and the salesman's name and Social Security Number. These also had fields that would indicate whether the car was sold to a retail buyer, placed in demo service, transferred to another Studebaker dealer, or repurchased by Studebaker, and whether the car was transferred from one Sales Zone to another. The later-style Retail Sales cards began to be filed in September 1963 by month, then dealer code number. These cards are also on file at the SNM archives. Note that the later cards did not replace the earlier-style cards but were used in conjunction with them. A photocopy of a later-style Retail Sales Card for 63V 31447 is reproduced below.