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Maybe Larry Crapo could help with the confusion. His contact information is in the 2025 Avanti Roster if you want to get in touch with him.

My two cents… The Avanti Registry is a great source for finding information concerning surviving Studebaker & later Avantis, and ‘hats off’ to Mr. Johnstone for putting all this info together, however, as with any other source, there can be an occasional error. There was serial / I D # confusion concerning my own 1985 Avanti in the Avanti Registry (AAV-RQB prefix)…Certainly no big deal, but still………

There use to be a splatter paint but I couldn’t find one. I thought with something like that I could figure out how to spray it to get close to the right texture then sand it to bring the level way down to make it look more like grain. Maybe next time.

So how is there two of them?

South Bend Body production records only show that R-3544 was built with body #5082. It was ordered on 2-8-63 and built on 2-28-63. Very interesting.

I have seen a textured finish on the very bottom of some late model cars. I assume the intent is to prevent or hide chips. Or, maybe it is to hide rust bubbles on Northern cars. There are rattle-can spray paints that produce a "pebbled' finish so I assume this stuff does that too. --Dwight

Maybe a counterfeit out there?#

This is the PO info:

Now that is strange. I thought maybe it was a typo but body and serial # match. Here are some photos of mine. The edge color on the body tag is silver metal not white.

Nelson, The info is from Bob Johnstone's site and the Avanti Registry site. It was registered on the Avanti Registry site on January 20, 2007. R2 RQ-5082 R2 R-3544 - (Body Tag RQ-5082) - Larry A. Crapo, Reno, NV - AOAI 2011 Former Owners/Locales; Nov 2001 - Carnegie Lane - Redondo Beach, CA 4-speed. White with original red and white interior. I bought this car in Nashville, Tennesse in 1973 and put a new short block from Newman-Altman in it in 74 with SS heads. It has 3.73 TT. I bought this car when I was in high school and have many fond memories leaving the "detroit specials" behind in the 1/4 mile. Car has been stored for the last 13 years and I am now beginning a complete restoration.Modified R2 (ported standard 289 heads), 4 speed, White w/ red & white interior It is also listed in AOAI Rosters from 2011 - 2021 as an R2. The 2024-2025 Roster shows Larry Crapo owning R 4560. Bob

Bob. Just went out and checked it. Serial # is 63R3544. Body # 63RQ5082 engine # R2497. Where did your info originate? This car is all original. Never repainted with exception of spot work paint is still shot. Body tag is as you would expect mostly gold. Serial number on plate on frame with correct rivets. 140 speed not 160. I had checked the PO prior to purchase and all was correct.

>> I decided to try to resurrect a really shot dash pad>> Just amazing work! George Rohrbach

Nelson, Can you verify the serial number? R 3544 is listed as an R2, 4-speed, white with Fawn & Red interior. South Bend body # 5082. Thanks, Bob

Personally, I do not agree… as the above information is from a knowledgeable person who is basing his opinion on heresay. I always thought that the ‘AFB’ designation on Carter AFB carburetors stood for ‘Aluminum Four Barrel’…. regalbob will no doubt come back with info that indicates that ‘AFB’ stands for ‘Anderson Four Barrel’!!!!!!!! No, ‘WCFB’ stands for ‘White Cast Four Barrel. (my opinion) Also, I highly doubt that a Carter WCFB carburetor, although heavy, weighs “over seventeen pounds”!

The Carburetor Shop LLC 204 East 15th Street Eldon, Missouri 65026 WCFB The WCFB was Carter’s first attempt at a four-barrel carburetor. It was introduced in 1952. A total of 222 different WCFB models were made in the years 1952 through 1967. The WCFB was discontinued after the 1967 model year. I have seen a number of different meanings for the WCFB acronym. One employee of Carter once told me that it meant “wrought cast four barrel”; and used that terminology for years. However, a close friend who worked most of his life for Carter, chastised me for using this terminology. It seems the official Carter meaning was Will Carter Four Barrel (Will Carter of course being the inventor that started the Carter Carburetor Company). So I now use this designation when asked. Carter Carburetors began manufacturing the model WCFB four-barrel in the early Fifties, General Motors started using the “William Carter Four Barrel” as standard equipment in 1952, and Packard opted to use the WCFB four-barrel carburetor as original equipment in 1953. Chrysler adopted the same Carter unit in ’54. These were popular with many original manufacturers; in fact, the WCFB series carburetors were still used on many Corvettes up until 1964. However, their weight, at over 17 pounds, suggested that a lighter carburetor with the same progressive 4-barrel characteristics was needed.

‘White Cast’ refers to material carb is made of.

Will Carter four Barrel?

Beautiful Avanti!

It’s not real early. 6R3544. I also have a white with orange which is 48##. I think there were two or three with a little later number but less than 4892.

That’s a remarkable job… Kudos to you Nelson! Also, the rest of the interior looks real nice… I have a hunch it’s an early serial number car, having what appears to be an Avanti Gold exterior with the fawn/orange interior?

Sorry, SOLD

1963 Avanti R2 4 Speed. R4200. Just received back from Myers Studebaker for an engine out repaint and rechrome. Avanti red with black interior. New seat covers and padding. New rubber seals. Mechanically, new A arm bushings, rear main seal, hoses, belts, gaskets,freeze plugs, clutch, throw out bearing, motor mounts, master cylinder, battery, fuel pump, tach sender. $79,500. Contact Tim 380-260-0146 Car is in Pickerington, Ohio

By the way Brad…. On a different note…. The Carter carb letters WCFB Stand for ‘White Cast Four Barrel’!

That texture paint is interesting. It mentions dashes but also bumpers. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a textured bumper which leaves me wondering if the product allows a textured finish to me added using texture stamps often used in vinyl repair.

That’s one gorgeous Avanti!… Love the wheels & tires! My own ‘83 had factory installed Daytons at the ‘83 new car auto show, but it’s first owner ordered them off the car… too much trouble to keep clean I guess.