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That was obviously done during the oil embargo of the 70's (when gasoline got all the way up to $1.00 per gallon !! ), or during the last episode when gas hit $5/gallon in some areas. Or, perhaps it was his kid's car...who blew up the engine and didn't have the funds to fix it. Then Dad got 'creative'. Very odd if you're a Corvette person; clever, if you are a Rube Goldberg fan.
To each their own, I suppose. Swapping in 2 less cylinders and way less HP power band... Whatever. Maybe he tows a camping trailer and needs a broader torque curve at less RPMs?
I'll stick with a more traditional Chev-on-Chev V-8 combo, Thanks.
I just read the whole thread from the Studebaker forum
Here's some of my favorite responses those users listed:
I wish they would pull up for judging at Bloomington just to see the looks on the Vette owner's faces!! PRICELESS!! I bet this nice couple would be chased off the grounds by pitchfork and torch wielding Corvette owners!!
Okay, it is an odd rod...but it doesn't accomplish anything else except make some Stude lovers gleeful that some Corvette owners will be repulsed.
The Corvette lover's retort will be that is the first time a Stude 170 was in a good looking car rather than the normal homely looking Stude.
Is that the same 85 hp 170 that I have in my '50 Champion or did he spruce it up a little so it might be able to beat a Pinto in a drag race?
With 4:56 gears he would only get to about 62mph at 3500 and I don't think the old Study engine could take that for long and certainly not get good gass mileage. Ed