$500 endurance race Avanti

[Sdude]

I met Chuck Donley today. He was setting up his $500 endurance racer Avanti just outside the Studebaker exhibit room at Cal Expo for the SacAutoShow. He told me he bought this totaled out Avanti for $900, sold $500 worth of parts he didn't need on it, which left him $100 to fix it up to participate in the race. Any money spent on brakes does not count in the $500 limit so he was able to put a nice master cylinder and Turner brakes on it without going over budget. He told me the whole passenger side was wiped out all the way back to the differential which was bent beyond use. If you take a close look at the body work, you can see that it is functionally back together but is cosmetically rough to be polite. Since he was parked out in the open area with the other $500 racers, I got a picture of his car with the studebaker banner in the background.

[SN-60]

Are you saying the participants can have only $500 invested into a car max?.....including purchase price?

[Sdude]

Are you saying the participants can have only $500 invested into a car max?.....including purchase price?

That's what he said. He also said if it's a tattered old car, they don't make you prove it. It's all for fun. If you already own all the parts and they are just collecting spider webs, you can use them. Looking at his car up close, you wouldn't want to buy it to restore. You know what they say about a cheap Avanti. This car has found a special purpose and is cool as is.

[sals54]

That's what he said. He also said if it's a tattered old car, they don't make you prove it. It's all for fun. If you already own all the parts and they are just collecting spider webs, you can use them. Looking at his car up close, you wouldn't want to buy it to restore. You know what they say about a cheap Avanti. This car has found a special purpose and is cool as is.

Ditto on that. I love the look of that car. We're still trying to work up a scheme for our Avanti as well. We're thinking 60s/70s track car. Not necessarily Studebaker themed, but perhaps Holman/Moody or something like that. (and yes, I know Holman/Moody were Ford guys) I just love the look of their cars.

[Chris Pile]

Are you saying the participants can have only $500 invested into a car max?.....including purchase price?

24 Hours of LeMons rules.... They want beaters and smart guys to make them fast. It's quite popular.

[BobPalma]

That's a cool story, Jon; thanks. BP

[8E45E]

24 Hours of LeMons rules.... They want beaters and smart guys to make them fast. It's quite popular.

Another term for 'poor man's racing', where you don't need a sponsor.

Works for ME!!

And a rare case of where the two-toning actually works on this Avanti!

Craig

[DEEPNHOCK]

https://www.24hoursoflemons.com/

https://www.24hoursoflemons.com/prices-rules

https://www.facebook.com/24hoursoflemons/photos/

- - - Updated - - -

http://blog.caranddriver.com/24-hours-of-lemons-alabama-twin-engined-minivan-59-studebaker-and-an-xp-833-banshee-leading-its-class/

[Chris Pile]

Oooooo... A blue Hawk in flight.

[BobPalma]

Good stuff, Jeff. Thanks for the links. BP

[sweetolbob]

Apparently they also don't count tires, wheels, glass fabric, glass resin and rollbars. I can go on after looking at the pictures. I'm not demeaning this form of racing, which I think is an excellent concept, but the wheel covers would set one back $100.

I know, I know, they buy everything used so the highest cost piece was $5 on craigslist. I know what glass and resin cost from recent experience so color me a skeptic.

But again, I love the concept but ---!

Bob

[studegary]

Ditto on that. I love the look of that car. We're still trying to work up a scheme for our Avanti as well. We're thinking 60s/70s track car. Not necessarily Studebaker themed, but perhaps Holman/Moody or something like that. (and yes, I know Holman/Moody were Ford guys) I just love the look of their cars.

Remember that Holman & Moody were the guys that prepped the 1960 Larks for the Petit LeMans races. I think that they became known for Fords in the mid-1960s.

[Pat Dilling]

The racing spirit of these guys is great, some of the cars are an absolute riot. There is probably some minor cheating, but the real enforcer for somebody going over the top with it is their $500 claiming rule. If the organizers feel that someone has gotten carried away, they can claim a car, or it's engine for $500. From what I have read this has only happened twice, both times under dubious circumstances. Still the rule exists. They have a couple races coming up not far away and I may just have to go watch them.

[Studerick64]

This Avanti was involved in an accident that destroyed about a third of the car many years ago. It laid around having parts removed from it for years. Chuck has done a great job getting the car on the road again and continuing the Avanti racing tradition. This Avanti has been a parts donor and a racing champion at the same time! By supporting This car and it's builder and driver we get great publicity this is a win win folks.

[Sdude]

If you take a close look at the car you can see that not a lot of money was spent repairing the major damage. Still it looks cool and goes fast and that's all that matters. And Chuck was a lot of fun to talk to.