psdenno

Consider it a small footnote to Avanti history. Sorry that most of the folks who made that history are no longer around to share their stories.

I don't remember him mentioning which Avanti he was driving. But he did say that as he was trying to bring it to a stop he was worrying about how he was going to explain plowing through the bleacher full of reporters from all the top auto magazines..

Not Paula Murphy but she was present at the dinner gathering along with a small group of Avanti icons and enthusiasts when the story was told. I'm surprised no one mentioned the Granatellis. After dinner, Vince Granatelli told how at the end of a speed run he was trying to slow the Avanti as it headed straight toward the Press bleachers at high speed. The Avanti wasn't slowing down and steering on the salt was less than ideal. He was afraid he would wipe out the entire Motoring Press in the stands. He popped the parachute and stood on the brakes and finally managed to stop the Avanti just a few feet from the Press bleachers. Members of the Press thought it was all part of the show and stood up and cheered.

Correct! You know your fluids.

There's a good story that goes along with the answer to this one, so I'll wait a bit longer for a correct answer.

Ashland is correct! Now, for two bonus points, name the brand of engine oil used at Bonneville.

The Bonneville Avanti driver question is difficult and isn't getting answered, so let's try an easier one. What brand of gasoline did Avantis use for the Bonneville speed runs?

It was not Barbara Neiland.

Not Sherwood Egbert.

Sounds like a good story.

To show off the Avanti, Studebaker invited members of the motorsports press to the Bonneville Salt Flats to watch the speed runs. The intent was to get articles in major newspapers and popular automotive magazines. A viewing stand was set up for the press to observe the speed runs. The trivia question for the holiday weekend is..... Who was the Avanti driver at Bonneville who had difficulty coming to a stop after finishing a high speed run and almost plowed an Avanti through the Motorsports press viewing stand?

Keep us posted on your progress. It's been an interesting story to follow for the last eight months.

Good, because there was only one guess remaining. So '62 and '66?

Four

Five