Nelson

Yes, I followed the R1025 story from the get go and had made several comments at the time as I thought I knew the whereabouts of the real test car but didn’t own it although I had looked it over and it looked correct. That was back in the 80’s or90’s. When it came for sale I decided to look at it thinking it probably isn’t what I thought it was. Opening the hood, even with no motor in place, I knew it was THE CAR. It took me five minutes to buy it. I actually thought the tow bar brackets had been added by the first owner until that evening when I looked at the MotorTrend test of the car and I was pretty certain I could see those brackets. As it turned out they were on the road test car in both HRM and MT. The car was parked in 1968 with engine problems. It still has 1968 California tags, still has original heater hoses etc. Above all it still retains all its battle scars. I haven’t been this excited about a Studebaker since I was in my 20’s.

The body number is taken from the photo portfolio for the Motor Trend Test car. Its pretty much a given that the same car was used for both HR and MT tests. However, there are some obvious clues that show the two are the same car, such as no radiator shroud, damage on the back side of the hood which is consistent with all photos, tow bar brackets welded to the bumper supports etc.

These are the two poster boards shown with the car at MCCACN. This is a small portion but should be pretty obvious.

Maybe Raymond Lowey’s?

This I’m sure is going to be a very touchy subject. I know that R1025 was deemed to be the R3 Hot Rod and Motor Trend test car on the forum several years ago even after R1016 was mentioned to be the real car. I’ve done a lot of research on the subject and R1016 is actually the R3 test car and was funded by Studebaker for this purpose. It was delivered to Paxton as a four speed and was converted at Paxton to the power shift transmission, probably due to the drive train considerations as the test car was still equipped with a tapered axle. I believe R1025 was an R2 test car very early on and turned zero to sixty times of 6.7 seconds which are the best times I can remember for an R2 Avanti. R1025 was Andy’s personal car and has tremendous credentials and probably was massaged beyond the stock R2 configuration. It is very worthy of a full, no expense spared restoration which is in process. R1016 was at MCCACN this year and was presented with much of its documentation.

Delco Remy a division of GM

Ok. Borax is one reason the salt is getting less as the Borax ingredient is taken from the salt? Is that right?

Without looking at old Paxton sales literature probably no one will get the question totally right. Yes they were 7mm diameter orange/flesh color silicone casing with BRAIDED STAINLESS STEEL CORE.

All the pirate buckles etc were omitted.

One is the salt flat connection with Borax and I think but not sure that Borax gave away an Avanti?

63R1025 was originally turquoise as was the Hot Rod R3 road test car.

Dang. I thought this one would last awhile. That is exactly what they did. There is a letter n the file from Joe Granatelli explaining the switch to the first owner. The fan control switch activated and deactivated the alternator for times when you might need just a little more power to the wheels.

No chrome ornamentation and a one off interior color.

This is such an interesting car with so much cool history. So, what secret did the Granatelli”s have up their sleeves to help the Lark win a race when they knew it was going to be close and you needed to pull out all the stops?

Not thicker insulation.

I’ll give it to you. Headliners some times are sucked down at speed. On this car there is a metal strap running across the headliner from coat hangar to coat hanger and another piece running from the rear view mirror back to the center of that cross section. The two are welded together and painted white to match the headliner. Nicely done and not easily noticed.

No, not thicker wire.

Nope….just a fat finger and an edit.

Correct. No condenser and no vacuum advance.

You got half of it Brad.

Nope

What two things did the R3 distributor not have that the standard R1/R2 distributor did have?

Correct. Paxton installed the shifter in exchange for placing Hurst advertising stickers on the doors for the NHRA Winter Nationals at Pamona Dragway.

Nope

What is unique about the headliner in the R3 Hot Rod road test Daytona?