Nelson

I did save about $400 shipping cost by picking my wheels up at Tom’s place in Indiana. I’m about 120 miles from him but I enjoyed the drive and the money I saved got ear marked for future Avanti parts.

I doubt they ever wanted to sell a lot of Avantis as it was more of a ploy to get people to change their perception of Studebaker and get customers into the show room. I think the Avanti was an expensive build for the company and the only way it could make a profit was to load the car up with options. So maybe s sedate version marketed to the wife or single woman may have worked. You have to remember though that back in 1963 a wife with family needed a four door and most women’s role in life was to raise a family not look cool in the work force.

Interesting. Might be fun to try one on a Lark. Kick down would be an easy install but I guess you would need to plug the pressure limiting or over rev control hole.

A driver, five balls, output bearing, two outer races, maybe the scroll housing and impeller.

Also the pulley is displaced further from the Main body than the Paxton so the belts wouldn’t line up..

If I was in your position I’d be looking for someone young, energetic, capable of doing the work and capable financially who really wanted the car. Look for that person who is mature enough that won’t dismantle the car and quit. If I found that right person I would give him/her any break I could just to see it alive again.

Anthony. Since you visit so infrequently, I have a question off this topic but would like the information. What do you know about Joe Granatelli’s Cadillac Avanti? Did it arrived with no engine or an R1. I suspect it was supposed to get an R4 with ac as when I looked at the car it had the lowered front control arms.

Another question answered.

Good question. My first thought was fiberglass. I think they were held on with twist cam lock fasteners which might or might not mean anything. Good to see you back.

Anthony. I just sent you a private message..

Anthony. George Krem’s father had a 63 Avanti many years ago with an R3 engine. He was not impressed with the performance at the time. He mentioned he suspected cam grind issues so he changed out the cam. That car with engine were sold several times. The present owner has removed the cylinder heads or at least one head for some reason I don’t remember. He mentioned the pistons were notched to possibly lower compression. I believe the runners in the head were also massaged to increase flow. The engine was purchased from Paxton in the late 60’s and I believe it has a B number around 100. Speculation is that it may have the rotating assembly from R5 and possibly the cylinder heads also? The car also had a four row radiator which sounds typical for the Bonneville cars. I know Vince was assembling R3 engines as long as he could out of left over parts as long as parts could be had. Any thoughts as to the feasibility this engine could have R5 parts in its build??