Two Toned R3-4!

[mfg]

The Avanti powered GT Hawks which Studebaker brought to Bonneville in 1963 had the forward section of their roofs painted white  because......?.....

1) Pre - production paint scheme......2) Identification at speed......3) Reflect heat......or....4) Andy liked the look

[r1lark]

Hmm........I'll say pre-production paint scheme. 

Here is a color pic of one of them. the car later sold to (and roundy-round raced by) Dick Passwater:

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by r1lark

[mfg]

14 hours ago, r1lark said:

Hmm........I'll say pre-production paint scheme. 

Here is a color pic of one of them. the car later sold to (and roundy-round raced by) Dick Passwater:

 

Good thought, however that wasn't the reason.

[studegary]

19 hours ago, mfg said:

The Avanti powered GT Hawks which Studebaker brought to Bonneville in 1963 had the forward section of their roofs painted white  because......?.....

1) Pre - production paint scheme......2) Identification at speed......3) Reflect heat......or....4) Andy liked the look

I think that it was to help to keep the cabin cooler, so I will say, 3) reflect heat.

[mfg]

55 minutes ago, studegary said:

I think that it was to help to keep the cabin cooler, so I will say, 3) reflect heat.

And you are CORRECT!

[r1lark]

57 minutes ago, studegary said:

I think that it was to help to keep the cabin cooler, so I will say, 3) reflect heat.

Logical Gary, but I think had hoped it was because Andy liked the look!  ☺️ At least, I would like to think that was how some things got decided in the old days, before there were committees for everything.

Edited September 6, 2021 by r1lark

[studegary]

4 hours ago, r1lark said:

Logical Gary, but I think had hoped it was because Andy liked the look!  ☺️ At least, I would like to think that was how some things got decided in the old days, before there were committees for everything.

Not just logical.  I vaguely remembered reading this sometime in the dim dark past.