How Many Hupp Skylarks Were Built? continued
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	Serial, Body and Engine Numbers of the 1940 and 1941 Skylarks Built by Graham-Paige A study of Graham-built Skylark serial numbers is less straightforward than that of Hollywood serial numbers. Since the 1920s, it was Hupp’s practice to attach the serial number plate to the firewall in the engine compartment. The long- standing policy of Graham-Paige was to attach these plates to the right rear floorboard beneath the carpeting. It is thought that some Hupmobile dealers, unaware of the “hidden” serial number plates, may have been responsible for issuing titles under the more readily visible engine numbers. It is also important to not that during this era, the State of California registered automobiles by their engine number. Because a substantial number of  Skylarks were originally registered by their engine number only, conclusions derived from the study of Skylark identifying numbers are somewhat problematic. Graham-Paige built Skylarks began with serial number R100533 and were produced during April, May, June and early July of 1940. The highest known Skylark engine number is R100880; therefore, it can be deduced that a minimum of 348 engines were provided for Graham-built Skylarks. Hollywood serial plates list the Graham engine numbers, while Hupp serial plates do not list engine numbers. Thus, the study of Graham-Paige built Skylark identification numbers is based entirely upon serial and body numbers. The serial numbers range from R100533 to R100926; simple subtraction would indicate a minimum of 393 Skylarks were manufactured. This assumption is incorrect, as careful study of ancillary data will show. The initial run of Skylarks manufactured by Graham-Paige (about 150 of the 1940 models) carried body plates and exhibit minor differences in construction; the remaining 1941 models did not bear body plates. Interestingly, the first 150 cars do exhibit body numbers and the progression of body numbers and serial numbers of those cars is remarkably close. The highest known Graham-Paige body number on a Skylark is 680-148, which indicates a minimum of 148 Skylark bodies were produced in the 1940 model year. The 1941 Skylarks, built by Graham-Paige in June and July of 1940 do NOT have body number plates, and can only be identified by serial numbers.