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If you are worried about a judge that probably couldn’t decipher what was original throughout an Avanti II anyway, leave the black cover on for the judge, then put your chrome cover back on so you can enjoy the look the other 99.9% of the time! I agree with Jim and Gunslinger. Enjoy your car the way you like it. Most people don’t know what an Avanti is anyway, let alone what air cleaner it had. Mike

I’m 6’5”, so I sit so high in most rigs the rear view mirror interferes with my view out the windshield. The only thing a low mirror does to me is block the view of the hood. I’ve thought about lowering the one in my 83. Make sure you get it where you want it when you glue on the new mount, that glue grabs quick!

I was introduced to Studebakers in the late sixties when my folks bought a 56 Sky Hawk as an extra car. I’d never heard of an Avanti, but after I did I was smitten and followed the car through the Newman/Altman years, then through Blake and Kelly I would read the brochures and articles of how the Avanti was different from factory built cars, that the assemblers took their time to make everything just right when they put them together by hand. Although quality was advertised, it sounds like it wasn’t always the result. I finally bought mine two years ago, 1983 RQB 3771. It is about the end of the line for the chrome bumper era, the style I like the best. I enjoy mine and hope you find one that brings you pleasure. Good luck with your search, Mike

According to Bob Johnston’s registry, my 83, RQB 3771, once had a blower. It wasn’t on it when I got it and I have no history on it. A crate motor might be more practical but a supercharger on an Avanti is kind of neat! Mike

Randy gave his location as “Spokanish”, maybe it’s the same car. Mike

I had corrosion in my positive cable running across the firewall to the starter. Couldn’t see it under the insulation but a new cable made an amazing amount of difference when it started the car. Mike

Just out of curiosity, what’s the difference between the 259 and 289 -bore, stroke, or a little of both? Be interesting to see what, if any, machine work was done since it’s supercharged. Mike

At 6’5”, the rear view mirror in my Grand Cherokee blocks out a large part of my front view out the windshield. I have to duck a bit when approaching intersections. That doesn’t seem safe to me. I have thought about lowering the mirror on my Avanti since I would rather be able to see traffic than the hood. I would think unless you are going for show points put it where it works best for you. The best thing about the cold is when it starts to warm up! We’ve been pretty lucky so far this winter in eastern Washington. Mike

Nice pic Brad, what LEDs did you install and how do you like them? Mike

Avanti Magazine says September 4th - 6th, 2019. Mike

My 83, RQB 3771, is on Bob Johnson’s registry with some very interesting pictures of it’s early life, including a supercharger on the 305. Wish I knew more about it’s history. Lots of changes over its life. No more supercharger, no more wire wheels, moonroof, luggage rack or red dash. Dan Booth said there was no build sheet available for it. A turbo would be novel but you wonder if you would get a better bang for your buck with a crate engine. Mike

On my 83 (RQB3771) the three under dash toggles are power antenna, door locks, and interior lights. Console left to right are left window, de-icer, auxiliary lights, and right window. All the switches are the same so I’m thinking they are factory, but with all the changes this car has gone through in its life it’s hard to say. Mike

Stuart On my 83 the toggle to the left of the steering column operates the power antenna. No idea if it is factory or not! Mike

Nostalgic Motors has custom fit covers with flannel liners. Around $300 I think.