Exp. Avanti!

[mfg]

Some Avanti experts consider prototype Avanti serial # EX2945 (re-serialed later as Avanti R-5652) the VERY FIRST Studebaker Avanti made. Can anyone out there give three reasons why this Exp. Avanti is different from the other prototypes and later 'production' Avantis?

[Gunslinger]

I can't say for sure these differences were on EX2945, but at least one prototype had no exterior identification emblems on the hood, front panel, trunk lid and sail panels; the front seats had horizontal pleats (front AND back) while the rear seat had vertical pleats; a different steering wheel center cap; no interior rear view mirror. Other prototype Avantis had the rear view mirror mounted on a ball socket on the dash (similar to Mopars of the era) rather than glued to the windshield.

[mfg]

I can't say for sure these differences were on EX2945, but at least one prototype had no exterior identification emblems on the hood, front panel, trunk lid and sail panels; the front seats had horizontal pleats (front AND back) while the rear seat had vertical pleats; a different steering wheel center cap; no interior rear view mirror. Other prototype Avantis had the rear view mirror mounted on a ball socket on the dash (similar to Mopars of the era) rather than glued to the windshield.

This is true, but it doesn't really answer this question:...What makes EX2945 different?.....Anyone?

[brad]

Is it the Due Cento?

[Gunslinger]

The original prototype did become the Due Cento, but that was some time after the prototypes had been out for awhile.

[mfg]

Is it the Due Cento?

Nope, this car (EX2945) was later re-serialed and then sold by Studebaker to a buyer who placed it into regular daily driving service.

[mfg]

Answer.....1) Body made up entirely of hand laid woven fiberglass matting....2) Sun visors hand sewn, with metal clips binding the four corners....3) 'Supercharged' fender emblem made of flat metal and hand lettered by an artist instead of normal-to-see engraving!

[Gunslinger]

I remember about the "Supercharged" emblems but didn't know about the others. Neat little factoids.

[plwindish]

Didn't the prototype also have red anodized aluminum inserts instead of working tail lights as well?

[mfg]

Didn't the prototype also have red anodized aluminum inserts instead of working tail lights as well?

Quite sure this particular EX Avanti had normal working tailights.

[regnalbob]

Some Avanti experts consider prototype Avanti serial # EX2945 (re-serialed later as Avanti R-5652) the VERY FIRST Studebaker Avanti made. Can anyone out there give three reasons why this Exp. Avanti is different from the other prototypes and later 'production' Avantis?

EX-2944 (R-5651) was built in the Engineering Dept as 62Rx6 Prototype with a final assembly date of 4-3-62.

EX-2945 (R-5652) was built in the Engineering Dept as 62Rx7 Prototype with a final assembly date of 4-16-62.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Regnalbob

[mfg]

EX-2944 (R-5651) was built in the Engineering Dept as 62Rx6 Prototype with a final assembly date of 4-3-62.

EX-2945 (R-5652) was built in the Engineering Dept as 62Rx7 Prototype with a final assembly date of 4-16-62.

AhHa!....So perhaps Ex-2944 was the very first Avanti.......?

[r5duecento]

When you get into the prototypes related to the Avanti, you are entering the Twilight Zone. First of all, the last 5 prototypes (Serial numbers EX2944 - EX2948) were all scheduled to be assigned production numbers and sold to the public. These cars if they had been built by General Motors would not have been called Prototypes, but rather would have been called Pilot cars. To add to the confusion, serial numbers were not always assigned with consecutive numbers, case in point, the two cars now in the museum which were considered for production studies on the regular Studebaker line with Avanti influence were assigned serial numbers EX2932 and EX2933 and these cars were produced after the Avanti prototypes. Even after reviewing the documentation obtained by John Hull from the factory records, it is very cloudy. When I bought the Due Cento in 1968, I had no idea it was a prototype until I picked up the car. It is all hand laid fiberglass, as all of the prototypes were, but this car has evidence in the fiberglass that it was done over a wooden buck as you can see the imprint of wood grain and the engineers scribe lines. The dash is only a mockup, having no upholstery and the glove box location is only scribed on the dash with no operating glove box. The tail lights are flat pieces of aluminum with painted on taillights. The rear bumper is different. The interior door handles are standard Studebaker units, almost all of the hardware and interior pieces are different, etc.,etc., etc. In the number sequence, EX2942 would be the fourth number assigned, but there was an article printed that the three cars with earlier serial numbers were loaned to the Magazine testers and were returned so damaged that they could not be used or at least Studebaker didn't want them seen in that condition, so they were destroyed. Since Studebaker had Andy Granatelli on board and wanted to attract the youth with a performance image, the "original" mockup car had an engine installed and was pulled into service and sent to Paxton Products. In conversations with Bill Dredge (Public Relations), Bob Andrews (Designer) and Andy Granatelli, all three told me that EX2942 which was sent to Paxton and set the 29 land speed records at Bonneville was the "original" prototype. I did later receive a letter from Bill Dredge in answer to some other questions on the car and in it he stated that it was the original Avanti prototype.

[mfg]

Truly a WEALTH of Avanti historical information. Thanks very much!