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bob caser

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Posts posted by bob caser

  1. They were the first from my knowledge to install a 425 cu in Oldsmobile engine into a Avanti. They removed a R4 engine from that Avanti and the installation was featured in a engine swap magazine published by Hot Rod / Peterson magazine.

    Bob Caser

  2. I spent many, many hours attempting to fit a aftermarket into the original console or in to the dash with no success. I modified a dashboard to direct air thru the radio opening and other brainstorms as well. What I finally wound up with is what is in my photos. The plus side is that there are four air outlets which right and left outlet are enough for the driver and passenger and the two center outlets will cool the back seat.

    The rear window produces a lot of heat and cooling the rear seat helps keep the car comfortable.

    This Avanti is not for the purist, it was built to be used as a everyday car so it has 4 wheel disc brakes, overdrive transmission, electric power steering, blue tooth radio , etc, etc. It had a engine transplant back  in the 1960s and has been modified over the years .

    I have a purist Avanti as well and appreciate it for what it is.  A beautiful piece of design.

    Bob Caser

  3. I have a work in progress "restmod" 1964 Avanti, that had factory air and I removed it for a aftermarket unit. Less expensive,and it  blows more air to keep the car cool in Southern California summers. I did have to modify the console, but I have been happy with the results. These are old photos and I did make a 3D parts to replicate the original console plate which needed to be shorter in height.

    Bob Caser

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  4. 4 hours ago, StudeNorm said:

    One of the Bonneville Avantis had a silver paint effect along the flat portion of the front fenders running from the bumper up the raised edge and flaring out towards the windscreen.

    That would  be this car the "Due Cento " . This photo was taken behind the Paxton building with the car sitting minus engine and transmission.

    Bob Caser.

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  5. The interior in this car is all NOS , gauges , carpet, steering column, and seats. Ed Reynolds had complete vinyl interior pieces at one time at a bargain price. It would be impossible to duplicate this today at any cost.

    Bob Caser

  6. Long story . I was showing another Avanti in 1985 at the annual La Palma show. This was a modified car, and it won first place in it class.  This guy walks up and introduces himself., and we start talking about this car  R5487 car and also about R5051 which was being repainted at a local body shop. At this time it was a very nice car with 39,000 miles and never modified. This individual is interested in seeing the car and we make arrangements to meet at the body shop while looking at the car he tells me he had a turquoise 64 in the past and it would be great to build a show car out of my car. So the body shop and this guy proceed to move forward on my car and I support the money side and now realize we are building a trailer queen of Pebble Beach standards. So from 1985 to 1990 they proceed to build "my" show car. The car has been in storage since 1990 only needing the bumpers to be completed and installed.Everything mechanical was rebuilt and no fluids were installed. The engine is turned over by hand and oiled. This is a over restored Avanti something that I now regret.

    Jon Meyer, John Metzker, Ed Reynolds and Gary Johnson all contributed to this show car.

    Oh the guy and I became good friends until his passing. His name :  Tom Kellogg

    Bob Caser

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  7. There would have been more than 9 production cars , if the dealers and the factory would have been more attentive. The client base was not the "HOT ROD" magazine reader, which did publish the most complete article regarding the R3 engine. An  Avanti with a R3 engine would retail for close to $6,000 dollars and it had serious competition at that price.

    Bob Caser

  8. Having been a buyer of a new Avanti , 10-24-1963, I was never offered a tray or ever received a form to fill out regarding such.

    From my  point of view the dealers had little interest at this stage of their carriers with Studebaker. In August and September talking to two local dealers regarding ordering a R3 from the factory there was no interest on their part of taking such an order. I was living in the Metro New York area hardly a small market.

    Bob Caser

  9. Cheesy fix is correct. When installed I have no idea how it would protect from heat transfer.

    Cheesy Fix is correct, how this piece of plastic would help with heat transfer is beyond me. Putting the box over the shifter would probably have been a ckoice

     

    Bob Caser

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  10. Interesting cars. Curious who built the Targa roof car. The other car belonged to Dr. Lamberti who was at Studebaker at the end of production. There are many documents detailing his involvement in production. I have seen this car often as it was serviced by a friend of mine in Los Angeles.

    Bob Caser

  11. Back in the mid 80's Gary Johnson had R 1002 and the experimental last VIN number cars in storage for a customer. I offered to buy R1001 and thought we had a deal. I had a complete NOS interior for the car and many other parts to do a restoration. We could never complete the sale with the then owner even though he was arrears in storage fees. As is known he donated the car to the LeMay Museum and it is being restored there.

    R1002 Dave Kinney's car, restored by Gary Johnson,  has been shown at Amelia Island a premier show and it one best of show there.

    My car R5051 is a over restored fit and finish and will make it out soon, I owe it to Kellogg and others.

    Bob Caser

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