mfg

As assembled at Studebaker, what was the major visual difference between Avantis R5642 and R5643? 1) engine type….. 2) interior color….3) exterior color….or….4) no major visual differences.

Just received next year’s calendar… great photography, beautiful cars!

I’m simply saying that it would be really nice to get that ‘R5(?)’ engine back under the hood of the ‘Due Cento’…… If the block isn’t the one run on the salt flats, that’s too bad…. however visually, in a static display at the SNM, I don’t feel it would make much difference!

Uncle?

We’ve all seen an R5 appearing engine, completely assembled with all the unique Bonneville peripheral parts, sitting on an engine stand…. haven’t we?

So there may have been a second R5 engine?… That’s interesting…. If there were a second (or more) R5 ‘long block’, I’d think it would be a stretch to believe there was a second (or more) set of the peripheral parts unique to the R5… I certainly could be wrong, but it’s hard to believe there was more than one plenum chamber, L&R intake manifolds, custom bracket for the dual blower setup, special blower, idler, and crank pulleys, Novi injection pump, etc… I’d guess the R5 parts Mr. Cone wisely purchased from Paxton years ago are ‘one and onlys’ whether they are installed on the original Bonneville block or not…. Ed

Very interesting information Brad!

No, not 1962 Dwight!

You got it ! R5643 was last passenger car completely assembled in South Bend, with R5642 being finished the same day.

Sorry no … not the Stude Cruiser!

Well, you’ve got the right model Stude, but not the right year….. Any other thoughts???…… Had to be between (and including) the ‘56 to ‘64 model years!

Anyone want to take a shot at what the last South Bend assembled passenger car was?

You are CORRECT! Does anyone out there know when Studebaker DID use this phrase?… and on what model?

Sorry Dwight, the answer to this one is FALSE!

In the fall of 1963, Studebaker advertised their ‘64 Avanti as “America’s Only Classic Touring Coupe”….. True?

The 1964 Studebaker Daytona Avanti R1 powered Hardtop, now located at the Studebaker National Museum, is the last passenger car to be completed in South Bend….. True ?

Mystery solved… Nice!

Checking out the Due Cento in person is definitely on my bucket list! BTW…. any Stude/Avanti fan that hasn’t yet toured the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana, should, if possible, try to get there…. Great take!!

With all the visible aerodynamics installed on the Due Cento for the Bonneville speed runs, I wonder if that Avanti also had a full belly pan?

Their money… their spending!

I noticed the accent color which the Granatellis applied to the Due Cento’s red exterior, as well as the graphics, have not (yet) been applied to the car…. These details will eventually make this special Avanti even more exciting!

“Those involved” certainly could be spending their $$$$ on worse things!!

Bearwood, I’m very impressed with the work you’ve done on your Avanti’s braking system! About the front brakes… Do you feel the Mustang brakes stop a lot better than the original ‘Blake’ ‘84 Camaro Z28 brake system? I’ve always felt that the Camaro setup was a big improvement over the original Studebaker Avanti type Dunlop disc brake… used thru the ‘83 model year Avantis.

The gentleman that now owns the Avanti ‘R5’ engine is a visionary! Many years ago he had the initiative to pursue the Granatelli brothers for all the unique R5 engine parts, (back when no one else was especially interested in these parts), he finally acquired them…. Setting those parts to one side for years, he ultimately reassembled this one of a kind engine….. Now, I’m not sure if he’s using the original damaged block or not, and it’s been said the pistons were changed, but all the peripheral parts are now assembled, with the engine now sitting on an engine stand. Once again, it would be wonderful to see this unique R5 engine again under the hood of the Due Cento Studebaker Avanti!

Well said!