1964 Studebaker Daytona Hardtop, Supercharged, R-2, R2, Muscle Car

1964 Studebaker Full Package Supercharged High Performance R-2 Daytona Hardtop

Over the years I have listed a few cars for friends and several for myself, but this car is far and away the most interesting I have ever listed.Not only does it have a distinguished pedigree, but it lived primarily in its home town from day one making it much easier to document its life.

Overview:

1964 Studebaker R-2 Daytona Hardtop

Serial number 64V-14327

289 cubic inch Paxton supercharged engine

Full high-performance package:Heavy duty springs and shocks,powerfront disc brakes, 3.73Twin Traction rear end, dual exhaust, rear radius rods, rear stabilizer bar, tachometer, 160 mph speedometer, front bucket seats

Options:Powershift floor shiftautomatictransmission.Factory AM/FM radio, power steering, white padded sun visors, Climatizer, electric windshield washers, undercoat, front bumper guards, wheel discs, seat belts left and right, 6.70 x 15 white wall tires

The current odometer reading is 61,426.This is believed to be the car's correct total mileage, but cannot be confirmed.

Only 27 hardtops were made with the R-2 high performance package and this is the "one of one" made in this color combination (Laguna blue and brown vinyl interior)

Condition:

The car was carefully and completely restored over a period of several years and reappeared as a brand new car, everything as it was, or better, when it first came to Martinsburg.

The body work and paint are beautiful. All chrome was replaced and is like new. The interior was redone and is in factory new condition. The skilled mechanic told me that "damn near everything mechanical on the car was either new or rebuilt.”The engine was completely rebuilt, the transmission was serviced and sealed, the rear end was cleaned and resealed and Moser flanged axles were installed.The front suspension, power steering pump, and brakes were completely rebuilt. The brake calipers and master cylinder were rebuilt with stainless steel sleeves by White Post Restorations. Ted Harbit, the racing legend, rebuilt the supercharger.

The owner often went to local shows and in 2014 drove the car from Martinsburg, West Virginia to Dover, Delaware (approximately 350 miles round trip) to compete in the Studebaker International Meet with judging of Studebaker vehicles from nearly every state. While many other cars were trailered to the show, this particular car was driven to the Meet, trouble free, and still won a first place trophy receiving 392 points out of a possible 400.

This listing limits the number of photographs that can be attached. Many more pictures are available so please send me an eBay message that tells me what you would like to see.

History:

The car was ordered by a customer at Porterfield's Studebaker, the dealer in Martinsburg, WV.The Passenger Car Production Final Assembly Line document is dated 10-24-63 with delivery scheduled to "MARTINSBURG W VA”.When the customer was advised that his car was in and ready to go, he brought his wife along to pick up the car.However, the wife had other "thoughts" and they ended up buying a different Studebaker from the showroom.Later he got a new wife, but the car was gone.The dealer's son wanted the car, but dad said "NO !!”.

The car was then sold to a local Martinsburg man.When he enlisted in the service he drove the car to California and then home again when his enlistment ended.After he returned to Martinsburg he traded the car in to the local Chrysler dealer.Over the years several local people owned the car.Eventually a local Martinsburg car collector bought the car and put it in one of his garages.The car remained in his garage until about the end of 2004 or the beginning of 2005 when the son of the original Studebaker dealer bought the car.However, after a year or so he decided that he didn't want it after all andsold it to the present owner, a retired Martinsburg policeman.

The first muscle car?

Due to their amazing performance, many consider R-2 (289 cubic inches, supercharged) powered Studebakers to be the first true muscle cars.The engine was rated by the factory as having 289 horsepower, a nice selling point- 289 horsepower from 289 cubic inches. It has been suspected, however, that these engines were actually under rated by the factory.

Selling?

Why is the owner selling the car?Believe me, he wanted to keep it but suffered a serious injury and can no longer drive.So, here is your chance to buy, own, and love one of the rarest and most desirable of all Studebakers.