Micah Trostle
30 July, 2026
4 min read
Bill designed every piece from scratch for one of the rarest Studebakers ever built.
Some projects begin with an existing template or reproduction kit. This one began with a blank screen, careful measurements, and a clear goal: create custom woodgrain graphics that looked like they had always belonged inside the car. The vehicle was a 1964 Studebaker Avanti R3, the first of only nine R3 models ever built. Developed as Studebaker’s high-performance racing model, the R3 was connected to Andy Granatelli and the supercharged engineering that helped make the Avanti one of the most exciting American performance cars of its time.
A car this rare deserved more than an off-the-shelf solution.
Designed Completely From Scratch
There was no premade graphic package for Bill to order and install. Every piece of the interior woodgrain had to be custom designed from the ground up. Bill studied the original panels, measured each section, and recreated the complete layout digitally using CAD. That meant accounting for every gauge, switch, opening, edge, curve, and transition throughout the interior. Each section had to fit precisely while still working together as one complete design. The goal was not simply to cover the panels with a wood pattern. Bill had to create a full custom graphics package that followed the Studebaker’s original interior styling and looked appropriate for a vehicle built in 1964.
Building the Design in CAD
Designing the graphics in CAD gave Bill precise control over the shape and dimensions of every piece. Older vehicles often have unique panel layouts that were never created with modern vinyl production in mind. There may be slight variations between sections, irregular openings, narrow borders, and curves that cannot be handled properly with a basic rectangular graphic. Bill built each component individually, checking its proportions and placement before moving forward with production. The woodgrain direction also had to remain consistent throughout the interior. One panel could not look disconnected from the next. Every section needed to flow naturally so the completed installation felt intentional and balanced.
More Than Choosing a Wood Pattern
Creating a believable woodgrain interior required more than finding a pattern that looked close. The color, scale, direction, and overall character of the grain all had to complement the Studebaker’s interior. The finished graphics needed to feel period-correct without appearing overly modern or artificial. Bill made those decisions throughout the design process, adjusting the artwork until it matched the character of the vehicle. This was not a reproduction kit being fitted to the car. It was an entirely new design created specifically for this Studebaker.
Respecting the Car’s Original Character
The purpose of the project was not to redesign the Avanti or introduce a different style. The car already had an unmistakable identity. Bill’s job was to create new woodgrain graphics that respected that identity and restored an important visual element of the interior. That required restraint. The graphics needed to enhance the cabin without drawing attention away from the gauges, trim, controls, and other original details. When custom work is done correctly, it should not feel like an aftermarket addition. It should look like it belongs.
Precision From Design to Installation
Once the digital artwork was complete, each piece had to be produced and installed with the same attention to detail that went into the design. Alignment was critical. Openings had to land in exactly the right positions, borders needed to remain consistent, and the woodgrain had to flow properly across neighboring panels. On a vehicle with this level of rarity and history, small details matter. The finished result came from Bill controlling the process from beginning to end, measuring the panels, designing the graphics from scratch, preparing the artwork, and making sure every piece worked within the complete interior.
Custom Vinyl as a Restoration Tool
This Studebaker project shows that custom vinyl can be used for much more than exterior wraps, stripes, and commercial lettering. With the right design process, vinyl can recreate discontinued trim, restore damaged decorative surfaces, replace materials that are no longer available, and reproduce details that cannot be purchased anywhere else. The material makes the project possible, but the real value is in the design work behind it. There was no catalog part number for this interior. Bill had to build the solution himself.
A One-of-Nine Car Deserved a One-of-One Design
The 1964 Studebaker Avanti R3 represents an important period in American automotive performance. As the first of only nine R3 models built, this example carries a history that cannot be replaced. Bill approached the project with that significance in mind. Rather than adapting a generic pattern or settling for something close, he designed the complete woodgrain package from scratch specifically for this car. Every measurement, cut line, opening, and section was created around the Studebaker’s unique interior. The result was not simply a set of vinyl graphics. It was a one-of-one custom design for a one-of-nine automobile.
That’s how we do it at ACAP.
*Photography by Wild Bill and Bryan Grumbine
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