mfg

Yes, this is normal for an Avanti.

Good move!… just the tinted glass in the Avanti ll is worth $$$$$

Interesting… looks to be someone’s restoration project which went south… Body looks clean (at least the driver’s side).. and the (possibly solid) windshield posts may indicate a good frame and troughs…..a valuable source of parts if nothing else! The Avanti ll, located behind this ‘63, is also worth a look! I’d like to hear “the rest of the story” behind these two Avanti’s.

Seems to bear out my idea of period Paxton supercharger color somewhat dependent on which pallet they were unpacked from!!

Really too bad it wasn’t in the cards to continue development and production of the Packard V8 engine… which had a very large bore spacing with eventual maximum displacement of up to 500 CI. Studebaker ‘owned’ this quality engine, however, the years ‘53-‘58 were a terrible struggle for Studebaker… and an expensive engine being built in Utica was, at that time, un-affordable. General Motors Chevrolet Division showed interest in purchasing the rights and tooling to continue production of the Packard V8, which GM would have most likely called the ‘Mark lll’ had they purchased it, however, they ultimately decided against the project.

The bearing housing would also need to be redrilled to make the swap between side mount Avanti and top mount Lark… Color might have depended on which shipment (and date) the blowers were delivered to South Bend from Paxton… I once owned a full package, all black, 1964 Daytona R2 hardtop, never altered, and the supercharger was ‘factory black’.

You got it!

In 1962, what was the offer Enzo Ferrari made to Sherwood Egbert shortly before the Avanti was introduced ?

Salt & Pepper works just fine describing that particular combination Paul!😉

Could be a weak battery…. Try a multi meter across the battery terminals with engine running… You should see around 14 volts if alternator is charging.

The alternator looks to be rebuilt… Trouble could be in the voltage regulator.

Good thought!

That’s odd!…. It’s usually the driver’s side that runs ‘hotter’ due to the heat riser valve, located in the exhaust system directly under the passenger side exhaust manifold, diverting exhaust through the intake manifold and into the driver’s side exhaust manifold. This would remain true until the valve fully opens and then the exhaust temps basically equalize. Did someone install the heat riser valve on the wrong side? Short of that, there must be a restriction of some sort somewhere in the driver’s side of the exhaust system.

I believe that black is what Studebaker engineers originally had in mind for the superchargers… however, since the blower is the ‘star’ of the engine compartment, they decided orange stood out much better. (and I agree with that!)

Very odd upper radiator hose set up…. The plate you were asking about must be there just to support the upper hose. If it was my car, I’d make some changes there. (Looks like a lot of $$$ was spent on your Avanti by the prior owner!)

That makes two of us!!

I noticed in the latest issue of AVANTI MAGAZINE (213) that the Paxton supercharger on 63R1001 (first production Studebaker Avanti) was refinished in the color black….. I’m certain that the restorers of this particular Avanti were striving for authenticity, and I found that interesting.

Hopefully soon! I mentioned this because a ‘follow up’ story about the Due Cento (hopefully with more pics!) was mentioned in the last AVANTI MAGAZINE (Issue 212)…. Perhaps next issue?

I would think that a 1955 Studebaker Commander super-short stroke 224 CI V8 engine would be a good starting point for an 8,000 RPM Stude engine… with some expectation of reliability!

Yes, Issue 213….. winter/spring 2026

Your flyer must have been printed between the time ‘Avanti Black’ was discontinued and replaced with ‘Avanti Grey’….. and before ‘Avanti Black’ was offered again as an extra cost option. PS…. Your black Avanti is a nice ‘stable mate’ with your all black ‘51 Commander!….Ed

Beautiful Avanti….Enjoy!

Received the latest issue of ‘AVANTI MAGAZINE’…. Great reading, as usual, however I was a bit disappointed in not seeing the follow up story about the ‘Due Cento’ Studebaker Avanti…. Perhaps next issue?

You got it! (actually, the factory bulletin stated this may happen at any engine speed over 1500 RPM.)

One thing I forgot to mention while we’re on this subject….I’ve had good luck with the factory Stude Avanti R1&R2 automatic choke system…HOWEVER!… There are two adjustments that need to be made at the plastic choke cover… a summer adjustment and then a winter adjustment…. (At least for those of us living in hot/cold climates) My ‘63 R2 works best with the choke cover rotated to the ‘three lean’ position for winter operation… and then to the index mark or one rich for summer start up….. of course, all engines/carbs behave slightly different… but my Avanti seems to run best using those settings!