Dwight FitzSimons

Just from memory that sounds about right. R3/R4 engines were built precisely and with loose clearances, so I assume those facts would mean the break-in time could be shorter. I'm not sure that I waited, though, with R3 no. B-86 back in the late 1960s. Well. I'm off to Morgantown! --Dwight

Aha! With a 2.20 first gear I can see it. BTW, R3s (& R4s, I assume) can indeed rev beyond 7000 RPM. --Dwight

Calculating this would require stipulating the engine RPM at which we would wind up the engine. I would pick 6200 RPM, the red-line on the tachometer. Without actually doing the calculation I will guess 60 MPH. --Dwight

Not to get off subject, but tires make a big difference too. The "sedan" Firestone tires that were on my '64 Avanti when i purchased it were far inferior to the B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A tires that are on it now (in terms of handling). I know, I know, some of y'all can't live without your whitewall tires.

I suspect the Studebaker employee's exact words were "oops, rats." Below is a pic of my '64 Avanti R2 engine number. As mentioned these engine numbers apparently were hand stamped and irregularities occurred..\ I notice that the two engine numbers used different fonts. --Dwight

I may be able to answer that question. I have two '64 Avantis, an R2 and an R3. Both have near-new B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A tires on 15 x 6 wheels. One can conclude that the two cars are identical in terms of handling except for the anti-roll (aka sway) bars. The R2 has the original anti-roll bars; The R3 has the larger bars like Dave Thibeault sells). I live on a very curvy road, which is a good "test track." Both cars handle well, but the improvement with the R3's large anti-roll bars is quite noticeable. I am a fan of handling: I have BFG ultra high performance tires on my 2015 Buick Regal and enjoy its great handling. So, I am probably at least a fair judge of handling improvements. --Dwight

Studebaker did offer a more sedate, or grand touring, version of the Avanti, but not as a package, and not advertised as such. One could order an Avanti with R1, AT, PS, AC, power windows, quiet mufflers, AM/FM (in 1964), tilt column (in '64), etc. In fact, as I've gone from young to old my tastes have changed from R2/R3 and 4-spd to just the kind of grand touring Avanti that I have just speced. Perhaps Studebaker could have stolen a few Rivera and T-bird buyers by advertising such a GT Avanti.

I have successfully dyed carpet in the past (long past). You might try your local auto paint supply stores. A lot of them carry SEM vinyl dye. That is a good product for vinyl. What I don't know is whether it is appropriate for carpet or not. If the vinyl dye cannot be used on carpets perhaps the store will have a fabric dye for carpets. --Dwight

All Avantis have a floor shifter, so a steering column for an automatic car would be the same as one for a manual transmission car. --Dwight

Whatever the reason (owner preferred black?) it doesn't help the value of the car. One can fairly easily change the interior color on a '63, but it would be very difficult and expensive to do so on a '64 (with solid-color interior). The seat upholstery looks like factory original, so it's a puzzle how this came about. In any event I personally would return it to original. --Dwight ('64 R2 Avanti, red with black interior [unfortunately])

Yes, correct.

So, obviously, one could go in one direction with this bellhousing swap, but not the other.

But the car is a 1985, not 1970 model. I don't think the Avanti factory worked on that prototype for 15 years before releasing it. --Dwight

How so? Please explain.

I meant the title of this ad/listing: 1963 Avanti Parts Car