The DUE CENTO A compilation of pics and testimony |
Between March 1961 and April 1962, the Loewy crew at Palm Springs creates a quarter sized clay model, which is approved by the Studebaker Corporation and sent to the Studebaker Engineering Department.
A full sized clay is modeled from the Loewy creation by by Bob Doehler and the Styling Team at the Studebaker Design headquarters. From the full size model, a prototype vehicle Creating this first prototype vehicle was a hands on process, using the clay as a model, forming body panels over it, removing them and assembling the prototype car like a jig saw puzzle on the chassis of a 1962 Lark station wagon. |
(quote: Sep 2009, Richard Bennett / Owner of EX-2942, The Due Cento )
It originally did not have a functioning dash, taillights and perhaps some other items.
It is believed that the car did not originally have an engine or transmission, but later
had an R2 installed when it was put into service for testing. It is shown in the Avanti
Dealer Brochure brake test with Andy at the wheel.
Later in 1962, EX2942 was shipped to Paxton Products, where the Granatelli's took a standard 289 CID engine and bored it .060 oversize and created a 299 cubic inch (*2) " developmental R3" engine (Specs here) and set 29
land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats as documented in the factory film "Bonneville Record Breaker" and also with a banner which was distributed to dealers to be displayed in their showrooms. EX2942 went a best speed of 168.24 mph.. As told in the Bonneville Record Breaker (Below), the other two Avanti's which were to become the #8 and #9 cars were present, one used as a test car and the other as a backup.
(*2 Editor's note) 299 cubic inches was a class limit at Bonneville. These engines were designated "A" engines by the Granatelli group. Later 304.5 CID engines were noted as "B" engines.
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The R5 engined, Due Cento
(quote: Sep 2009, Richard Bennett ) | ||||
The engine was a modified R3, with dual superchargers, one feeding each bank and a Bendix
"Novi" fuel injection unit, which I was told was borrowed from the Novi Indy Car. There were also some internal modifications including a special cam ground for the Granatelli's by Weber.
(Cont... R. Bennett) Driven by Joe and Andy Granatelli, the Due Cento reached speeds well over 200 mph according to the tach, but was not getting traction due to the wet salt and the best official run was 196.58 mph. Shortly after the October 1963 runs, Studebaker announced it was ending it's automobile business which ended the Granatell's opportunity to return to Bonneville to break the 200 mph. barrier it was more that capable of.
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1963 Studebaker Publicity Films, EX-2942 with a prototype R3 engine
Stay Tuned - There's a lot more to come....... Maybe even a fresh engine !!( Jan 2011)
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R5 engine parts find 17 February 2011 Work by Greg Cone, Warrenton, VA
Original Photo (C 1963) Granatelli Shop, Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA Additional images -
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at Bonneville.....
Footage of the Due Cento Photo - Courtesy of John Shanahan Photo - Courtesy of John Shanahan Photo - Courtesy of John Shanahan Photo - Courtesy of Hemmings Motor News Car Life Dec 1963 Hemmings Motor News Dec 2009 EX-2942 - near Paxton Engineering, 1965 (Photos - Bob Caser) Granatelli AT Bonneville Turning Wheels, June 2002 |