Nelson

Bob, nice photos of Paxton. That place looks to be in good shape. Is it being used for anything today? I need to put checking out that building on my bucket list. Glad you posted them.

Bob, I was thinking about you when this subject came up. I thought you may have been around Paxton at the time and might remember Joe Granatelli’s Avanti and could shed some light on the subject. I talked to Richard Bennet last night. He was out there at about the same time picking up the Due Cento. He wasn’t too interested in the Cadillac transplant at the time but he seemed to remember a Stude engine being removed and the Cadillac installed. However, that’s not exactly history in concrete. So, I guess there’s three doubters here plus Richard B. Haha🤔😊

I looked at that pipe and wondered the same thing. There are probably a few logical reasons once blended together might have given him the green light. They would be time allotted time for the radiator modification along with expense which was now on Joe not Studebaker, the fairly large copper pipe gave a good boost in water capacity and also additional cooling capacity. Just a thought.

I definitely respect John’s research but I still don’t see how he can say “we know 4795 was delivered with no engine or transmission”. Unless I’m missing something or something was unintentionally left out of the article, I wouldn’t go on record with that statement. Again, I respect John so maybe I’m missing something.

I don’t see or know of any documentation saying the car was ordered less engine. Only that the PO has not been located.

But, if Joe actually purchased out of SB stock he would have paid plenty for the car. If he bought it out of Paxton’s inventory it could very well have been another $500 Avanti.

You are more than welcome to stop by. Do you actually make the States once in awhile?

Makes sense. I think I would install them opposite of the recommended method. As you say, less resistance, more power and probably more noise.

I think I know why the photo looks familiar now and probably the others Andy sent over to you also. Long uninteresting story. I’ll tell it to you in person if we ever meet.

Well, the insinuation is that Joe ordered a Avanti with no engine in order to install a competitors engine. That would seem odd to me. I don’t think that actually happened that way as I think the Stude engine was removed and a Cadillac installed after Stude made the announcement it was discontinuing production in SB. Studebaker was still Joe’s employer, so it appears, to my way of thinking, as odd that he would install the Cadillac in a nearly new Studebaker.

I do remember that swap. Maybe I’ve got that mixed up in my head with Joe’s car?? I am pretty certain Joe’s car was equipped originally with an R1 and Joe replaced that with the Cadillac. I think I’ll make a few phone calls and see how bad my memory might be.

Exactly what I was thinking😉 I think that photograph is actually one I had signed by Granatelli. Now it pops up in Australia.

Bob. I remember that photo. I think it was in an old AOA publication.

I’m sure there was a production order for that car, it’s just not in the particular file checked. It isn’t uncommon for a PO to be missing. The more I think about it the more I think I remember it being an R1 then an R4 then the Cadillac. The PO mentioned in the article is a computer punch card generated in July of 1964 well after its production date, not a production order. John does note the numbers in the top left corner and has translated them (I always wondered their significance). It would be pretty much a stretch to read into that translation that the car came with no drive train. The Granatellis were not stupid, they wouldn’t order a car without an engine then install an engine from their competitor. Even after Studebaker shut its doors I found it troubling that Joe G would actually do this transplant. Hell, the body wasn’t even cold.

Yes, I’m: guessing. Maybe R1?…converted to R4?

Is that the Siamese cylinder?

Not from South Bend.

Good question. Probably more efficient with the lovers facing away from engine. Is the muffler marked front or rear? Is that one of the factory glass packs?

True. Also changed the sound.

No, that was the #1 R3 convertible. No X member in that car.

It wasn’t a Studebaker. Just kidding.

Correct. He couldn’t get it to stay cool. I remember reading about that back in the early 70’s when the car was for sale in AOA magazine. I wonder how it does now?

Joe didn’t drive his Cadillac powered Avanti much. What was the problem he encountered.

I’ve had the ball joint on the linkage come apart. There are two of them.

Are you looking for standard or over size?