I was in the garage working on the Daytona and lifted the sheet on the r2 engine waiting to go in. I started wondering: with the price of gas rising so much, what will happen to all the r2 cars currently drivable? I've never had one, but I've heard many times on this forum about the poor gas mileage, and the need to run premium fuel.
We know all high-performance cars of all brands are affected; but I'm wondering about Studebaker r1s and r2s specifically. I've come to understand that, more than any other brand I've seen, many Studebaker owners are proud of being cheapskates; so I'm wondering what r2 CASOs will do in light of the high-buck premium/racing fuel needs these engines have?
When I was a kid working in my father's gas station during the oil embargo in the early 70s, Dad had customers that had muscle-cars that freaked out about fuel costs. Some traded off those cars and took a loss, but Dad actually had a few that paid to have the Big Block engines yanked and replaced with smaller engines! I remember a 396 Chevelle switched to a 283, and a Big Block Ford Fairlane switched to a 289
So, what do you think will be the fate of most r2 cars- never or rarely driven, sold off, or put on blocks indefinitely? If you have one, and if gas keeps climbing, what are you going to do? And- what effect do you think this will have on the value of r2 cars?
Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131
"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311
"With your Lark you're on your own, free as a bird, alive as a Lark. You've suddenly discovered that happiness is a thing called Larking!"
We know all high-performance cars of all brands are affected; but I'm wondering about Studebaker r1s and r2s specifically. I've come to understand that, more than any other brand I've seen, many Studebaker owners are proud of being cheapskates; so I'm wondering what r2 CASOs will do in light of the high-buck premium/racing fuel needs these engines have?
When I was a kid working in my father's gas station during the oil embargo in the early 70s, Dad had customers that had muscle-cars that freaked out about fuel costs. Some traded off those cars and took a loss, but Dad actually had a few that paid to have the Big Block engines yanked and replaced with smaller engines! I remember a 396 Chevelle switched to a 283, and a Big Block Ford Fairlane switched to a 289
So, what do you think will be the fate of most r2 cars- never or rarely driven, sold off, or put on blocks indefinitely? If you have one, and if gas keeps climbing, what are you going to do? And- what effect do you think this will have on the value of r2 cars?
Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- Studebakeracres- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131
"Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions"- 311
"With your Lark you're on your own, free as a bird, alive as a Lark. You've suddenly discovered that happiness is a thing called Larking!"
. Granted, it did have a 3.07 rear end.
It won't affect R2 cars at all, Bob; either the market for them or how frequently (or infrequently) they are used. How many R2 cars do you suppose are driven in regular daily service where fuel cost and availability is a significant factor? Probably none at all.
We've got to quit saying, 
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