R3 Factory Prototype 7 Pictures

[kmul221]

Owner said they were early 90's rims but he did have period correct Craiger Mags for it.The garage was so crammed it would seem impossible to locate some items.He claimed to have a new short block but I couldn't see it.I believe the to be a VERY rare Avanti with history

[JDP]

Build sheet with info on{ IS THIS A R3) thread sent in by JDP VIN # 63R5650 engine # EX2132 It's real proto type

Here's the build sheet again, clearly showing it equipped with a EX2132 R2 when sold in 1964 I have that build sheet in my file.

[JDP]

[QUOTE=kmul221;485774]A few picture of the possible R3 prototype (MULE) that I recently discovered. Owner is considering selling. What is it worth ?

As you might know by now, I'm skeptical about it being a R3 prototype since the build sheet shows it was sold with the original EX R2 engine. It may have had all the R3 stuff added later, since Paxton sold many more R3 crate engine than were factory installed. It's a interesting car in many ways, built in early 62, converted to 64 and sold after the SB shut down, than losing the EX R2 at some point. If it's a real Paxton R3, that's a 10-15K engine alone, so it should be a 25-35K car even in it's present condition.

[WCP]

Appears to be an early '63 body with a '64 front clip. The left inner front fender panel has the inset for the type 24 battery. The front clip could have been changed at the factory, but then why not the hood, to allow the hood prop to be placed on the right side. The battery has been placed in the trunk and the overflow bottle put in the battery well. Everything else looks good for an R3 conversion. No extra tunnel cooling though. Is the rear axle the flanged R3 type?

The cutout for the air induction hose on the right fender apron looks crude and definitely not factory. The R3 conversion would have been post factory sale, as JDP indicates.

[studegary]

If the engine is a true R3 (looks like it is) and it is "free" (turns), then, to me, the car, in its present condition, is about $18K-$20K.

[starliner62]

It's dirty and dusty. I think the owner should just give it to me!!

[sbca96]

Its not worth much at all .. I wouldn't waste your time with it. Totally unrelated
to that, whats the guys contact info??

Tom

[herbpcpa]

BUY IT, ship it to me and I will dust it for Granatelli fingerprints.

[63t-cab]

What's with the 140 mph speedo?

[WCP]

All early R2 Avantis had 140 mph speedos. The basic body is an early '63 unit as is the hood with the cross brace.

[63t-cab]

Thanks for clearing that up! can'nt figure why? 160s were around prior to that!

[WCP]

I don't think so. The 160 speedo was added to the R2 in the fall of '62, certainly after mid Sept. 62. The specific date is a question mark. My guess is that the change occurred with or after the 1st Bonneville runs.

[showbizkid]

What a neat find.

I am amazed how many cars that left the factory wearing a color (i.e., metallic red) wind up wearing no color (white). I have owned many, many cars over the years that came to me in sickly, putrid, dead white - Barney included. I dunno why people do that.

[63t-cab]

Prior to, as with Speedsters and Golden Hawks.just kinda seems they went backwards in that!

[dak63R1]

What a neat find.

I am amazed how many cars that left the factory wearing a color (i.e., metallic red) wind up wearing no color (white). I have owned many, many cars over the years that came to me in sickly, putrid, dead white - Barney included. I dunno why people do that.

The putrid white hides the fiberglass flaws.
Quite a find in any case.