Yes Dr Ernest Edwards (Passed away on Sept. 12, 2022) was a custom build by Avanti
Styling study to see what the backup lights looked like inserted in the trunk lid Only car built that way in Villa Rica
Our car number 18
Magazine I prepared and gave to participants at AOAI Tacoma Meet covered known researched and verified
prootype info
May have a few copies left if someone wants to purchase
25.00 each as I have to locate and ship
Let me know
4 Prototypes renumbered
R5650
R5651
R5652
R5653
Dave Kinny owns both 5652&5653
New York Auto Show and Operation Airlift vehicles
Most significant Avantis ever built
Translation result of dealing with cards over the years
no one Booth SNM (multiple copies) Krem have copies of PO
i learned long ago to never say never but if it exists it would probably only be in Paxtons records which I’m chasing currently
Regards
I never specified it was ordered without an engine or transmission and labeled it speculation as a possibility
If Studebaker got wind a non studebaker engine was going into an Avanti with the work being done at a subsidiary for legal and liability issues it would make sure no paper trail would exist at Studebaker on that car Also it would be god awful advertising a GM engine in a Studebaker product again liability issues ie engine blows warranty etc
Officially at Studebaker it would not exist
Ray Cash worked for Paxton and drove their transport vehicle many many times from Santa Monica California to South Bend to pick up and deliver Avantis Transportation would not be an issue