All Activity

Zedman - MUCH Thanks !!! Sorry for the long delay in responding. I finally got them ordered last week and they should be in today so says my email!!! I have been working to get the engine compartment work done and front suspension rebuilt. Working on getting things put back together so that I can gen the new engine and rebuilt transmission back in....

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 differences.

The original wheel alignment settings where given with the original tires. I think that wide (like 215/70 R15) tires need different alignment settings. or do I keep same alignments like its written in the original Shop manual? Do you have any experiences?

OK, I got my hoses routed with maximum ground clearance. So, back to the first problem of no assist. I disconnected the ram from the idler arm and had an assistant turn the steering wheel lock to lock. The ram does not extend or retract until the wheels are turned all the way to the max in either direction. The control valve adjusting nut is set correctly. So do I most likely have a bad control valve or ram? I have a new pump as well.

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?

My records show the Bennett engine is B-23. It might now have ported and polished R2 cylinder heads. Also may have been the 224 cu. in. version used by Bob Burke. Engine B-37 appears to be the Cone engine. Supposedly, he found the engine in Detroit, MI. Cone installed a number of Bonneville parts (blower cooler, etc.). I make no representation that the above is 100% correct. It is the result of my research with the kind help of George and Nelson.

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

ok thank you best wishes for a happy holiday season .... bill

I was under the impression that Richard Bennet was trying to work something out with Ed as a trade. I know George Krem had installed the engine In Ed’s Avanti when Krem owned it. George had removed the camshaft as it was too radical or at least didn’t perform on the street. His engine does have the piston’s you described, Brad.The cylinder heads were also ported and cleaned up. I didn’t know Cone actually had the real engine. I did hear there was more than one R5 built but actually two. I assumed that one must have blown on the dyno. I do think Ed’s engine has a high B number which doesn’t seem to make sense. It would be interesting to see what rods are in Ed’s short block.. If they are press fit wrist pins it would give it some credibility. Right now they both may have original R5 engines😬 but only one was in the car when the records were set.

I found the paint code for my ‘89 convertible inside the driver side trunk lid.

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!

Avanti 5643?

Hi AG-R3. Thanks most kindly for your assistance- this is exactly the information I'm requiring. Regards.... 🙃

Hi, Paul, Yes, I spoke to Jim Lime, I think, on Wednesday, and asked for pix of the damage and the missing part. He said he would email me the pix. I'm sure he/they are busy so he hasn't gotten to it yet. I'll email him to make sure he has my correct email address. If the USPS has damaged the booster in transit then a claim needs to be made. I did insure it. I'll keep you in the loop. Regards, --Dwight FitzSimons, powered by Studebaker

The turquoise Cruiser?

The new 1962 Gran Turismo Hawk?

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?

On the 61 Hawks? They even had dash plaques that touted them as "Gran Turismo" limited edition. James Mason, a British actor posed in the ad.