[Lifting the Body Off the Frame]

I am in the process of conducting a full restoration of Avanti 63R2159. I would like to get some advice on how to lift the body off of the frame. My garage is high enough to lift the body from above and the body has been completly stripped and is just a fiberglass shell. The body will get some minor repairs and repainted. I found a Shop Talk article from the August 1991 Turning Wheels by Jon Myer. He states that you could

"...put 2x4s through the open front window from side to side and through the rear vent windows also from side to side-use some old carpet as padding where it contacts the body at the top of the doors, then lift from above with the lift points as close to the body as possible."

I like this method and would like to know if anyone has tried it. If anyone has lifted an Avanti body from above a different way I would much appreciate hearing what you did.

Thank you for the help,

Ken

[Removing Rusted Body Bolts]

In January, 1963, my uncle was working as a mechanic at a Studebaker dealership in Broohhaven, Long Island, NY, when a new Avanti, 63R2159, was delivered. Two years later in 1965, my uncle bought that Avanti from the original owner and enjoyed the car until he passed away in 2008. I bought the car in 2009 from my cousin. I have finally started the full restoration and I am at the point of removing the body bolts and lifting the body off the frame. Everything from the body has been removed and is just a fiberglass shell. The chassis has some rust damage but is repairable. The body bolts that screw into the hog troughs are not moving and I broke the head off of one already. Being that the bolt threads are not accessible, has anyone come up with a way to get these out? Should I cut small holes in the hog trough to apply penetrating oil to the threads? Can I use heat without damaging the fiberglass? Luckily, the hog troughs are solid with no visable outside rust. All the other body bolts with exposed threads I have loosened so they will not be a problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ken

[Reproduction Avanti Bumpers]

There is also an advertisement in the winter/spring (issue 181) of Avanti Magazine on page 67.

 

[Reproduction Avanti Bumpers]

Thank you Brad and Avantifred for responding. Your information was very helpful and is appreciated.

[Reproduction Avanti Bumpers]

A vendor who advertises in the AOAI Avanti magazine is selling reproductions of the front and rear Avanti bumpers. Can anyone comment on the quality, fit and chrome finish?