murph the surf

Bob, Here's direct discussion of the muffler issue from the minutes of the 5/21/63 weekly staff meeting of Studebaker department heads: "Item #5. Quiet Exhaust System – Avanti A letter was received from AMA concerning setting up a panel discussion on the Avanti and one of the models in the Chrysler line which the States of New Jersey and California are also refusing because of the noisy muffler. Mr. Minkel stated that the quiet muffler is installed – and the customer is charged for it – on all the California and New Jersey orders, plus all other orders unless specified otherwise. Mr. Dredge asked what the proposal is for the muffler in the ’64 line. Mr. Minkel answered that the quiet muffler will be made standard on the Avanti at new model time, and the price will be changed to include it. Mr. Feuer suggested the change be made at a time other than new model introduction time to avoid the look of a new model change and the resultant rebate." Sounds like your car somehow escaped the scrutiny of the NJ authorities for the time you were there..

From the March 11, 1963 weekly staff meeting of Studebaker department heads.....The Lamberti Papers.....replying to mfg

No....he somehow managed to survive another year, until he apparently got a case of sticky fingers..

Correct on both counts....and discharged for "misappropriation of company property" just a little over a year after the "incident"

Have to agree, don't think that was the most strategic move on the part of Local 5 at that time...

During the Studebaker strike of 1962, Gloyd Richards was involved in an altercation with Studebaker President Sherwood Egbert as Mr. Egbert rightfully attempted to cross a picket line during the critical development time for the Studebaker Avanti. What was Mr. Richards' position within Studebaker-Packard, and what was his ultimate fate with the company ???

I like your thinking...

Correct

California and New York would be the usual suspects, but New York wasn't one in this case...

That was one of the states...

What state or states was/were the trigger for the Quiet Exhaust System on the Studebaker Avanti???

Someone at D'Arcy didn't think that one through......

Have to admit, might be pretty dangerous driving a car with "lullabye" wipers,especially after driving for 10-12 straight hours.....

I'm sure those companies who spent $7 million for a 30 second spoken/visual spot during the Super Bowl certainly hoped their "ads" paid off for them...

Yes, an unusual description, but during the initial introduction of the Avanti, the windshield wipers were described as "variable speed electric windshield wipers, lullaby type" at 8:53-9:01.....