Burke's Avanti!

[mfg]

In 1963 Bill Burke, driving a Studebaker Avanti, set a new speed record at Bonneville in the E/supercharged class of 147.36 mph, using a Granatelli prepared R2 Avanti engine.....True?

[mfg]

Thoughts?

[r1lark]

The year and the class and the speed looks correct. However, I don't believe it was a R2 engine -- thought it was a destroked R3. Hot Rod magazine coverage of that years Bonneville speed trials said it was a 259, but I've seen other cubic inches quoted (seems like I saw 229 somewhere). IIRC, this was EX-2143.

UPDATE: Here is the actual writeup from the Hot Rod Magazine '63 Bonneville coverage regarding Bill Burke's run and car and the engine size; make your own conclusions as to the actual cubic inches:

Anyway, I'll say false because I don't consider that engine to be a R2.

Here is Bill running the car at the 1963 Bonneville Meet:

 

Here is a later picture, maybe the year Bill ran the 427 Ford:

 

Of course, here is the car in the famous California Sunshine paintjob (my favorite):

Edited April 7, 2018 by r1lark
Add clarity that my answer is FALSE, and add two more pictures

[mfg]

Yes, false would be correct here as the engine Burke used was not an R2 but a smaller 229? or possibly a 259 to meet the class rules......Nice photos!!