Skylarks Were Built?
continued
into three groups, as follows:
Group 1
Skylarks with serial numbers R100533 to about R100682. These cars have Graham-Paige body numbers from 680-01
to about 680-150.
Group 2
Skylarks with serial numbers ranging from about R100683 to about R100882. These cars do NOT have Graham-Paige
body number plates.
Group 3
Skylarks with serial numbers ranging from about R100883 and higher. These cars have Graham-Paige body numbers
in the range of 680-01 to about 680-150.
Of course, these groupings are approximate by necessity – Precise lines of demarcation between the groups cannot
be determined due to gaps in the list of serial numbers from known cars. Similarly, the highest Graham-Paige body
number used for a Skylark and the last serial number used for a Group 3 car may never be known.
Regardless, a brief review of Group 3 serial numbers indicates an obvious deviation. All known cars in this group have
low engine numbers that indicate they were originally part of Group 1, and the sequence of body numbers on known
cars also suggest these cars were originally part of Group 1. Owners who have submitted data have substantiated this
fact by reporting the manner in which plates were affixed. A substantial number of identification plates on the Group 3
cars were fastened with sheet metal screws, rather than the short spiral nails used to fasten all Graham-Paige body
plates and Group 1 and 2 serial number plates. One may assume that the use of screws was done when the cars were
replated at the dealerships. The conclusion appears obvious; Group 3 cars were actually re-serialed Group 1 1940
model cars sold as 1941 models. For example, it appears that car R100895 with body number 680-10 was originally
R100542.