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As an aside…. The Studependous Lark (with this R4? engine) ran like a rocket on rails! The car was written up in a period HOT ROD magazine, with photos. One of the photos was an overhead shot of this engine with the R4 dual quad manifold installed on it AND a Paxton supercharger. The supercharger boost was split to the carburetors with a custom made ‘Y’ adapter. Now, Mr. Bergener was selling this engine with three cracked pistons… and I’m wondering (and it’s only a guess) if he was running the 12.5 compression pistons and that Paxton blower… which would account for the Lark’s fast times?

Very interesting!! What I have is the ‘for sale’ ad which Mr. Bergener ran in 1982, in which he stated that B300 started life as a 12.5 compression R4… and he was offering it, (with it having three cracked pistons) and throwing in a complete Avanti R2 engine for $4,000… The twin four manifold and an R3 type carb air box, and a few other parts came with the deal. Once again….INTERESTING INDEED!!

My records show B300 was produced by Paxton as an R3 "engine only". It was a 299 cu. in. engine with High Output Pulleys. It was installed and raced in a 1960 Lark by Jim Bergner. Installed in Avanti R5482 in about 1986 by Ventris. As of 2002, owned by Null in CA. Any corrections or additions are welcome.

Always thought a factory produced chrome bezel in there would have been a nice touch…. similar to what they did on the square light Avanti’s, but that never happened!

PS Ard…. Definitely no fuel pump inside tank.

Thoughts?… Guesses??

Are you referring to the top height of the seatbacks, or the horizontal height of the front & rear seat cushions?

I’m afraid that the fuel tank needs to be removed and cleaned… That ‘bottom dead center’ outlet really can cause issues like this.., However, it’s great to hear that your ‘400’ runs well… and it wouldn’t surprise me if the smoke clears up after a time!

MFG... SHE STARTED... and ran like a clock.. Carb is in great condition and all is near perfect. I said '''Near''' cause She is smoking pretty bad.. I'm assuming some continued running might help that issue.It hadn't been started for around 8-10 years. I couldn't use the gas line or tank.. It's just not delivering fuel. I blew the line out but it still isn't pouring out (or even trickling) due to gravity. ....SO... I set up an auxiliary tank (5 gal can) and some hose. That got Her running and idling perfectly.. She raps up instantly as well. I have to wonder if in the tank, there might be a pump tied to the fuel float gauge...If so... that would be the issue. BUT I'M THRILLED !!!

Asking price and editing still under ponderation. And need to get some better/more pictures. But this is what I have come up with so far. 1974 Avanti II. Original drive train, 400 cu in Chevy, T-10 4-speed trans, Dana 44 rear axle w/Twin Traction. Saturn Bronze Firemist with Gladstone Bittersweet vinyl interior. 69,000 miles since new. Repainted original color in early 1990s; otherwise all original inside and out. A/C, PS, PB, electric windows, Nardi tilt wheel, Lucas fog lights, rear defogger. 1990s-era Sanyo AM/FM/cassette (original Blaupunkt comes with car). New Diamond Back tires on original Magnum 500 wheels. New fuel pump and hoses; rebuilt carb, fuel tank boiled out and sealed. Halogen headlights. Front bumper guard shortened. Was either the last or next-to-last Altman Avanti with 4-speed. Briefly owned by Steve Blake in 1980s and was supposedly the car that convinced him to bring back the 4-speed when he bought Avanti Motors. One owner since 1992. Always sleeps in climate-controlled garage. Never been in rain. Very solid hog troughs and frame. Comes with original sale paperwork and all service records since 1992. Everything works, except A/C needs to be recharged – drive anywhere.

How much higher does the Avanti rear seat sit than the front seat?

I definitely have a bumper that is yours if you want it. May have the brackets but have to look tomorrow. Send me a text at 480-544-5925 and I will send some photos and we can discuss price and shipping requremtnts. Jim Campbell.

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Now I understand what you mean… I added up the year to year price increases over the four years and came up with $6,495.00…. Good ‘Sherlock Holmes’ work Bob… But I’m afraid you broke Stacey’s bubble!! 😉

If you look at the last paragraph you will see that $4,495.00 does not represent 57% of the prior decades price increases.

It’s correct according to the page you posted Bob. (last paragraph) Do you mean I left FOB South Bend out of my text?

There were a little over 90 made. The original owners of the cars, husband and wife, were avid Avanti fans for many years. The cars both had low miles, the only one that was lower that I know of was the one that sold in Corpus Cristi Tx early in 2025 that had 1500 original miles. It went for less than $10k

Is it possible that $4495.00 is not the correct answer?

Actually, two 1990 four doors were being sold by a collector through his repair shop, one white which I acquired, and one black. Both gentlemen were very helpful and straightforward. Usually I wouldn't be interested in sedans [these are called "touring sedans"] but the rarity [reportedly less than 50 made] and interesting features won me over [such as the TV in the back - non op, but a hit at a show!]

Same color as the body.

On my 63 the fiberglass behind glass is faded black paint. How did these come from the factory?

'63 R1, a/c, automatic. Over Christmas break in 1969, a teacher at the Jr. High School I was attending bought a used '63, white with orange interior (the "creamsicle", version as some Studebaker executives referred to it as ). I spotted the Avanti in the parking lot, and, having never seen one before, was immediately obsessed!. A few weeks later, on my way home from school, I spotted another '63 in the identical color combination. I chased the car down on my bicycle, and caught up with the driver at a stop sign. Fred,who was amazed at this 12 year old's extensive knowledge of the Studebaker Avanti, had been a long-time loyal Studebaker owner, and had bought the car for his wife the day the announcement was made that the South Bend plant would be closing and that the Avanti would no longer be made. He always kept his Avanti in showroom condition, and eventually started taking it to car shows in the '80's and '90's. Fred and I became life-long friends. We shared the same birthdate, and always called each other on our birthday. Fast forward to 2008 - on the call with me that day, Fred said "Jim, I'm turning 80, and it's time to sell the Avanti". I just couldn't believe it. I asked him if anyone in his family wanted it. He said "No. And the car is already sold" My heart was broken-I just couldn't picture Fred without his Avanti, or the possibility of not seeing the car again. I asked him who was buying it. "You", he answered. Huh?????...He went on to say that over the years, he had turned down numerous requests and offers to sell the car, as he had made up his mind that he wanted me to own it after his stewardship. Today the car has 42,000 miles, I'm the second owner, and it remains in showroom condition. Don't worry, Fred-I'm taking good care of her!

!964 R2. Completely original car (other than Real Rodder's 'Halibrands'), including the paint. I am the third owner.

The R3 engine which is/was under the hood of Avanti R5482 was previously under the hood of the ‘Studependous’ drag race Lark….. That R3 engine (B300) started life as an R4 Avanti engine…… True?