[Greg Reimer 7376]

Back in the early '50's, a Kettering(OHV) V-8 engine design was on the drawing board, and three US manufacturers bought into that design. American Motors(Rambler),the flathead 6 stalwarts,Studebaker, just about the same thing, and Cadillac, which had outgrew its flathead V-8 power.Studebaker's engine was 259 cu.in,Rambler had a 327, and Cadillac had a 365,then a 390 inch version of that engine.There was a degree of parts interchangeability, and the Studebaker Hawk with a Cadillac powerplant was a common swap. That was available with a four barrel, a tri-power or dual four barrels.Definitely enough to wake up a Studebaker. Must have been a laugh with the early three speeds and rear ends. It was common to take a car like the early Avanti and Cadillac the thing and it would have looked original. After Studebaker quit building cars, the 300 horse 327 with the AFB was a very logical alternative to a big heavy block in an engine design that must have weighed 650 pounds if an ounce.