Single Point distributor?

[Studer]

I have a '63 R1. I purchased the car in October so I am new to the Avanti world. On inspecting my distributor I find that it has single points. I thought all R1s had dual points. Can anyone clarify that for me?

[Gunslinger]

Yes...all R1 and R2 engines came with Prestolite dual-point distributors. Are you sure yours is a single point distributor or a dual-point missing a set? See if you can identify the make and model of the distributor from its ID plate.

[mfg]

Over the years, a previous owner probably swapped out your Avanti's worn out original dual point distributor for a 'Non R' engine's single point type.

For all normal driving, the single point type distributor is more than adequate, and at tune-up time much easier to work on!...I'd leave it be!

[Gunslinger]

He may need to find out if he has an actual R1 engine in the car. More than one Avanti owner has been surprised finding out his Avanti had a standard 289 or even a 259 engine in his car.

[Studer]

Thanks for all the input. Not believing this myself I rechecked the distributor several times to convince myself I am not seeing things. This distributor is not missing a set of points. I would have to pull it to find an id plate on it as it's not readily visible.

The engine number is R2158 which I believe makes it an Avanti 289.