Dwight FitzSimons

I am surprised that only ninety-some Avantis were sold in calendar year 1962 given that: 1) it was a new car, with all the excitement of a new car, and 2) the Avanti was introduced about mid-year 1962. That only 90-some Avantis were sold in 1962 speaks to the production difficulties Studebaker was having. So, the follow-on question might be how many Avantis were produced per month and then compare that to sales. Of course, that info is known and documented. --Dwight

I, for two, am looking forward to it, too. --Dwight

It's my experience, with both the new R3 (B86) I owned back in the late 1960s and the one I own now (B69). With B86 in the late 1960s I could drive through a small town (no other traffic, buildings on either side reflecting sound) and, with quiet mufflers, hear piston slap. It's well known that R3 engines burn oil. My B69 has gapless rings to hopefully reduce some of that oil consumption. With the current disassembly (at an engine builder) of B69 I am hoping to keep the original pistons (ForgedTrue, IIRC), but we'll see. If I have to buy new pistons we may be able to go with somewhat tighter piston-to-wall clearances. Might be able to get that oil consumption up to 500 miles/quart! --Dwight

4) 1965 --Dwight

Fewer people had two cars back then. I'll say 2) 28%. --Dwight

Yes, it's true that 99% of the time I'll drive my R1 and R3 Avantis exactly the same. The only factor that might play in here is that R3s burn oil like you wouldn't believe (due to the much larger clearances): ~300 miles/quart. So, I might need a hotter plug just for that reason. Time will tell. --Dwight

So, Autolite Platinum AP85 plugs would be appropriate for both an R1 and an R3??? I ask because I have both an R1 and an R3 which both need new plugs. Thanks in advance. --Dwight

These are what I'll use on my R3. Thanks for the recommendation. --Dwight

Unfortunately, these are on "National back order."

IIRC Champion J12Y plugs were specified by Studebaker for both R1s and R2s. The modern number might be RJ12YC. H14Y plugs were spec'd for 259 & 289 engines J10Y plugs were used on R3s (J10Y are colder than J12Y) This is IIRC, so someone correct me. --Dwight P.S., Autolite 437 & Bosch 7517 have also been recommended previously on the SDC Forum

Thanks for sharing. This might be something that one of our larger Studebaker parts suppliers could manufacture. --Dwight

Below is a close-up of the pic in the post above and lightened. It appears that the builder of the black '63 Avanti didn't want to drill any new holes either, so made a bracket to hold the 51R battery down. Look closely. --Dwight

Normally, you should have TWO keys, one for the ignition & doors, and another for the console & glove box. That's how Studebaker did it, and your car is a '70, so should be the same. Many times the ignition switch fails and is replaced. That's how a car becomes a three-key car. The door panels can be removed easily. Perhaps a locksmith can reset the door lock cylinders to match the ign key. Or, at least, he can make a key for the door locks. May have to look online these days for locksmith services. --Dwight

Are you selling or buying?

Good! After the discussion a year or so ago on fluids to use in blowers I concluded, for me, to use B&M Trick Shift, the blue non-synthetic ATF. It meets Type F ATF standards. --Dwight