August 2011 Hemmings Classic Car

[Warren Webb]

A 6 page article on a 14 year restoration of an Avanti. Starts on page 56. I havent read it yet- wanted to let everyone know since I just got the mail in.

[barnlark]

Warren, did they mention anything like, "nothing more expensive than a cheap 14 year Avanti restoration"?

[StudeMichael]

"Sir Ed's" custom by chance?

[Warren Webb]

Not in those words Dave, but it does say "I'm not going to name a price because that would be totally rude, but it got so expensive, and took so long, that we had to do it in steps. It just got away from me."

Car is owned by Augustino Capasso of Roseland, New Jersey.

[BobPalma]

'Just got the August Hemmings Classic Car in this morning's mail. Great article on the Avanti, for sure. That has to be the most time and money ever lavished on an R1/3-speed/no A/C Avanti; what an effort and a beautiful result. Cousin George Krem, Studebaker National Museum Archivist Andy Beckman, and the newly-published Avanti Production Monograph are all referenced; good promotion for our cause.

On Page 59 is an interior floor photo, bare-bones before any floor covering had been installed. The caption says, "Despite this Avanti's origins in snow country, those are rust-free factory floorboards awaiting their insulation..." Do ya' think? <GGG>

Finally, and not Avanti-related, don't miss Jim Richardson's DeSoto treatise on the magazine's last page. His impression of his school nurse (when he was 8 years old; paragraph 4) is a real hoot; had me laughing out loud. BP

[bige]

After I read that caption I wanted to cancel my subscription. I know it's wrong regarding an Avanti but how many times have I read something on a different car that I'd taken for truth. Isn't there anyone knowledgeable proofreading these articles? I cancelled the Muscle Car version already this could be next.

ErnieR

[JBOYLE]

On Page 59 is an interior floor photo, bare-bones before any floor covering had been installed. The caption says, "Despite this Avanti's origins in snow country, those are rust-free factory floorboards awaiting their insulation..." Do ya' think? <GGG>

Well, the floors ARE rust free....so they'ne not wrong. I know my car had NO rust in the floors... (And thankfully none to speak of anywhere else, despite spending decades in Baltimore, Michigan and a place called Mishawaka... )
a

Finally, and not Avanti-related, don't miss Jim Richardson's DeSoto treatise on the magazine's last page. His impression of his school nurse (when he was 8 years old; paragraph 4) is a real hoot; had me laughing out loud. BP

I've got to disagree about the school nurse, since my mother (a R.N. who "retired" to raise us kids) was a volunteer nurse at one of my schools...she was neither ancient or frightening.

But I'd love a De Soto...a white 56 coupe like Jimmy Steward drives in Hitchcock's Vertigo.

[R3 challenger]

Bob may have a point; I've owned five Avantis in my lifetime, and not one had rusty floorboards. <GGG>

George

[jlmccuan]

I looked at an never assembled Avanti body that had been sitting out in the central Indiana weather for many years. Even it didn't have rusty floorboards. I wish my whole Avanti body was made of the same material.

[avanti76]

I've yet to see an Avanti with any rust in the body, must be something special about those Avanti bodies. hmmm ; )

[JBOYLE]

I've yet to see an Avanti with any rust in the body, must be something special about those Avanti bodies. hmmm ; )

Special Studebaker steel, made with extra nickel.

[r1lark]

After I read that caption I wanted to cancel my subscription. I know it's wrong regarding an Avanti but how many times have I read something on a different car that I'd taken for truth. Isn't there anyone knowledgeable proofreading these articles? I cancelled the Muscle Car version already this could be next.

ErnieR

Don't look now, Ernie, but there appears to be another significant mistake in this issue. In the GE A-body issue, Jeff Koch says that the Buick V6 was "....America's first production V6 since the pre-World War I Marmon......."!! Is he totally discounting the GMC V6 that began in 1960 as a 305 cubic incher? I guess so. The Buick V6's first year was 1961 IIRC.

Here is a cool site about the GMC V6s: http://www.6066gmcguy.org/305V6.htm. Interestingly, this 60 degree engine family lasted until 1974, and in sizes up to 478 (!!) cubic inches.

[BobPalma]

Don't look now, Ernie, but there appears to be another significant mistake in this issue. In the GE A-body issue, Jeff Koch says that the Buick V6 was "....America's first production V6 since the pre-World War I Marmon......."!! Is he totally discounting the GMC V6 that began in 1960 as a 305 cubic incher? I guess so. The Buick V6's first year was 1961 IIRC.

True, Paul, but they would probably say they were referring to cars. Author Koch should have clarified that but, as you say, he may have overlooked it or not even been aware of it!

I spent some time behind one of those GMC truck V6s in an unusual application! See Post #9 to this topic:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?52003-Pop-Quiz-What-does-this-have-to-do-with-Studebaker&highlight=quiz

[showbizkid]

Got my issue yesterday... very nice article (aside from the glaring gaffe). Lovely vehicle!

This was, IMO, a great issue overall. A-bodies with a '65 Poncho cover car, an unrestored Northeastern Metropolitan feature, AMCs... I'm in heaven

[studegary]

I received my issue. This is my LAST issue on this try with Hemmings.

I don't see one other item mentioned here. He had "...a 101 percent standard of perfection." What the heck is that? Then he mentions "...acrylic enamel...as keeping with Studebaker practice." I don't know what practice that was. All 1963 Avantis were painted with lacquer.