The last Studebaker assembled was Avanti #R-5643 on 12/31/63. R 5643 is an original R3. The order was written on 10-7-63 and the final assembly date according to the information available in 1978 was unknown. This thread states the final assembly date to be New Year's Eve 1963. In 1978 most of the actual production dates were, apparently, unknown. According to Mr Krem, R5643 was built with manual steering and the quick steering ratio. It is in the Crawford Museum in Cleveland, OH, and has less than 10K miles. It was donated by former Studebaker dealer Joe Erdelac (now deceased). In 1975 he tried to sell the car for $100K (!), which made Cleveland TV and newspapers. There was a handwritten note in the trunk of the car that said something like "This is the last Studebaker Avanti built, 12/31/63, Happy New Year" and was signed by an employee with his badge number as well. ------ ////December 31, 1963. In South Bend Indiana, the last shift at Studebaker's Avanti assembly plant was preparing to shut down. It was New Years Eve. It was also the end of a production run. The very end. As the last Avanti, Serial # 5643 was ushered down the line, workers gave her a pat or a good-bye look before wrapping it up for the year. When it reached the last man in line, he added one special touch that no other Avanti had ever recived before. A note:"This 1964 model Avanti was the last one built in South Bend, Ind. Serial # 5643 Body #3902 Line 717 / W.H.Bennet Sr. 4739 Happy New Year." Mr. Bennett tucked his messageinto an envelope, penned with flourish and red ink. " To whom it may concern" on the front and slipped it under the mat in the trunk. It marked the end of an era,and the beginning of a legend and the cult of the Avanti.Today this unique milestone car is again available for purchase at $100,000. Remarkably preserved, it is museum quality. A superb example of the only car of its kind in the world. Driven less than 6,000 miles, the last Avanti still represents one of the most perfect examples of Raymond Loewy design and innovative automotive engineering. For a set of Photographs, Certification of authenticity and photo copy of the original window sticker, send $5.00 to Joseph Erdelad Cleveland Ohio Please note that purchase price includes delivery via enclosed van any where in the continental United States and original owner's service manual, brochures and correspondence./////