For sale: 1963 2 Door Hardtop Daytona Studebaker

General features and changes:

• Front seatbelts were fitted standard on all year models, however, no rear seatbelts were ever fitted to the GTS.³²
• A revised sun-visor design was introduced in July 1975, with the passenger side visor now incorporating a vanity mirror.³³
• From April 1977, slightly larger / more rounded brake and clutch pedals were fitted.³⁴
• For the 1979 model year (from Sep 1978), a dipping rear view mirror was fitted (the previous type did not have this functionality).³⁵
• A revised handbrake grip was introduced for the 1979 model year (from September 1978).³⁶ We are currently seeking image examples for comparison.
• In March 1977, a heated rear window, hazard warning lights and tinted windscreen were introduced.³⁷
• A vinyl mat was originally fitted in the trunk, covering the spare wheel and battery.³⁸

Steering wheels:

• A 3-spoke leather-wrapped sports steering wheel was fitted to the GTS throughout all years, however, it is broadly understood that two different styles were fitted.³⁹
• Cars prior to September 1978 received a larger diameter steering wheel with polished aluminium spokes containing 5 drill-holes of descending sizes, and a soft plastic centre-boss containing an Austin badge.⁴⁰ These wheels are believed to be the same as applied to the Austin 1300 GT.
• Later steering wheels (from September 1978 onward)⁴¹ were also leather wrapped 3-spoke wheels with aluminium spokes, but are differentiated from the earlier wheels by their thicker rim and smaller diameter. It appears that several designs were applied to the spokes of these later wheels, with some receiving drilled spokes and others not. A soft plastic centre-boss was also applied, housing a Leyland centre badge.
• A Steering lock was introduced in July 1975. This coincided with the re-positioning of the vehicle's ignition on the right of the steering column.⁴²

Instrument cluster:

• A 3-pod instrument cluster was fitted standard containing fuel/temp, speedometer and tachometer instruments (same layout as the 1275 GT).
• The 200km/h speedometer showed km/h units with mph on the inner circle⁴³
• The tachometer fitted was an 8,000 RPM unit. The redline on vehicles prior to July 1975 was 6,500 RMP, and from July 1975 onward was moved down to 6,000 RPM.⁴⁴

Lower-dash switch panel, heater and other controls:

• A heater/demister was always standard equipment on the GTS. Prior to July 1975, the GTS was fitted with a single-speed heater/fan/demister. A revised design 3-speed heater/fan/demister was fitted from July 1975 onward.⁴⁵
• The pre-July 1975 GTS central lower dash switch panel housed the cars ignition switch button, and rocker switches controlling the windscreen wipers, headlamps and heater, with a pull-control for the choke.⁴⁶
• From July 1975, a hazard warning lamp switch was added, with the switch fitted on the far left side of the central dash switch panel. This switch was put in the position of the ignition switch, which from July 1975 onward was moved to the right side of the steering column.⁴⁷
• From April 1977, an additional switch was added to the central dashboard switch panel for the heated rear window.⁴⁸

• Prior to April 1977, the indicator stalk was on the right-hand side of the steering column, and also served as a high beam dipper switch and push-horn. There was no stalk on the left side of the steering wheel in these earlier cars.⁴⁹

• From April 1977 onward, a stalk was introduced on the left side of the steering column, operating the two-speed wipers and electronic windscreen washers.⁵⁰

Trim types and colours (seats, door cards and carpets):⁵¹

• Up to September 1978, the GTS used the same seats/trim as the 1275 GT. Sighted original colours include black, white, tan/brown, beige and red (burgundy). All seats on vehicles prior to September 1978 are trimmed in full vinyl. The front seats have 9 thin horizontal insert-pleats on the seat back, and 8 on the squabs. The rear seats have 11 thin horizontal insert-pleats on the seat back, and 8 on the squabs.
• For the 1979 model year (From September 1978), a new seat design was introduced with a single hole in the top for a headrest. The GTS was never fitted with headrests, however, we have been informed that certain BMC headrests do fit the seats. These later model GTS cars were offered with a trim material combination of vinyl outer edge panels with cloth insert pleats. The front seats had 5 vertical cloth pleats on the back and squab, and the back seats had 7 vertical pleats (on each seat) on both the back and squab. Only two colours have been sighted; beige vinyl with cream insert pleats and tan vinyl with beige insert pleats. See the examples in the images.
• Earlier vehicles (possibly prior to July 1975) had one piece front and one piece rear fitted carpets. Later vehicles (possibly from July 1975 onward) had 3-piece front and 3-piece rear carpets.⁵²
• Carpets fitted were loop pile and had a felt underlay. The carpets we've so far sighted in pre-1975 models have all been black, whilst the later model carpets have had two different shades of brown. Further research is needed to confirm the precise colour options. The carpets had an integrated “Leyland” rubber heel pad in the front on the driver’s side.