I'm new here so I have a ton of questions and will need people to be patient with me.. thanks in advance. I got 63R-2158 home a few weeks ago, up on blocks, and started pulling off the unusable parts (almost everything!). The body has some damage, and a few areas where previous repairs were very poorly done (and will be cut out and redone). I have almost all the new body panels (Thanks to Dan Booth) and the body work will start in earnest very soon. The hog troughs were "toast" but will be done along with the body work. The engine came with a non Avanti '64 Studebaker 289 engine mated to an automatic transmission. I don't know yet if the transmission came with the car or the engine, but I don't care as I want to convert it to either a 5 or 6 speed standard (my thinking being that I want a standard with a high ration rear end so the extra high gear will help with highway driving. Looking for suggestions on which tranny to go with.
The car was "born" with a single track 3.31 rear and I'm on the hunt for a TT unit now with 4.11 gears. Being in New England shipping costs are a concern so my focus right now is closer to home. Looking for suggestions on gear rations and potential suppliers.
I've ordered the Turner front brake kit and dual master cylinder, but am leaning toward keeping the drum brakes in the rear (rebuilt of course, with all new lines).
I have to either rebuild the stock 289 engine or find an Avanti engine (to rebuild)... and my goal is to end up with an R-3 clone (or as close as I can). As far as suggestions (engine wise) they are endless... block to use, what pistons/rods, which cam grind, what heads, machine work, intake manifold and carburation, and of course blower.
Wheel and tire suggestions, I'm leaning toward wider wheels and tires all around, with even wider in the rear than the front (with perhaps a stock wheel/tire combo as an emergency spare).
To answer a few obvious questions: I know this will not be a cheap car to build! I want something I can drive to Studebaker and Avanti events (long distance dependability important) as well as local show and shine events. I fell in love with the Avanti in '62 when my dad (a Studebaker dealer) took me to the airport in New York for the Avanti "unveiling". I was 15 years old so couldn't drive the two Avantis we sold later that year from the dealership on the road, but always wanted one..... I should have gotten it done 30-40 years ago, but this is the best I can do now.