GAWen
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Posts posted by GAWen
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In the past year I have only seen 2 Avanti's. Mine and one on a used car lot. Where are all the Avanti's ??? George
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I have a severe electrical short inside the steering column. I am wondering if anyone knows who made the column and internals components, are parts still available? Second half of the question, does anyone have a complete, fully functional tilt column for sale? The ignition switch on my Avanti is in the dash (just like the original Avanti).
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Studebaker's were the hot item in Pittsburgh, Pa. last month. Follow this link for the story. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08202/898241-53.stm
George RQB 1600
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Today I pulled RQB 1600 out from under her cover, connected the battery and pulled her out of the garage. First order of business was a complete bath and detail job (First in 2 years), followed by a road test. Of course the wash and detail involved several adult beverages, so I DID NOT drive GEOSTOY, instead I let my daughter, my son, and my future wife to have their turns at smoking the rear tires. And SMOKE them they did. Them rear tires cost $200.00 each, and I figured that between the 3 of them they cost me at least $50.00. But, the smiles and the looks on their faces were well worth the trashed tires, now, I have got to get the tire shreds off of the undercarriage.
My neighbor, who owns a 2003 Z06 Corvette, came out of his house smiling, he knew what was happening, and he knows that RQB 1600 would give his "vette" a good run for the money, as he has ridden in her once. Now if I could only find the funds to put a ZZ6 motor into RQB 1600 :) George, 58, going on 16. -
Mark, Before you go parting out your sweetheart, there is a solid bodied Avanti in Arkansas for sale (price unknown). She needs alot of attention, but, you sound as if you have the pieces to make her run again. Serial number is RQB 2202. Call me at (702) 768-6709, or Email me at PCF98@hotmail.com and I will send you the pictures I took of this car just 2 days ago. Anyother interested persons out there, same offer stands.
George
RQB 1600
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From the first time I saw an Avanti, I feel in love with the sweeping lines and the curves, oh the curves. It reminded me of the E-Type Jag's of the day, and the exotic Italian cars on the race tracks. I just knew I had to have one. And now I have one, not a Studebaker Damn It, But a Newman and Altman car. But , the thing is, the Avanti, no matter what year or manufacturer, is a car design you either love or hate. As for me, I love all the sweeping curves and sexy lines, from all angles.
George Wendell, RQB 1600
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From the January 2008 issue of Car and Driver, page 91: "The Avanti to be assembled in Cancun, Mexico, despite, company reps insist, then chairman Michael Kelly's arrest by the FBI a year ago for running a $400 million real estate Ponzi scheme."
George Wendell RQB 1600
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You might try a piece of all-thread with large washers on each end. Tighten up the nuts to pull the bushing into place. That and some teflon oil works for me.
George Wendell
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Here is a picture (if it came thru) of my 1971 with ALL of the body shims removed. The wheels are American Racing 15x7 mounting P235/60/15. The wheel openings are flaired one inch to allow clearance. Underhood clearance is non existance.
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My 1971 Avanti is really upsetting the Green Peace folks with her dirty exhaust. I have replaced the Carburator, Spark Plugs and Wires, Reset the timing, leaned out the carb, New Vacuum lines (thus no leaks), new distributor cap and rotor. Cylinder compression is 145 + in all cylinders. I have got to get this beast to pass the smog test, and idesa ??? George Wendell BrownWtrSailr@aol.com
The Avanti passed smog today HOORAY. Thanks to Paul and his idea that I may have a defective purge cannister. Thanks to all for your comments and ideas. George Wendell
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My 1971 Avanti is really upsetting the Green Peace folks with her dirty exhaust. I have replaced the Carburator, Spark Plugs and Wires, Reset the timing, leaned out the carb, New Vacuum lines (thus no leaks), new distributor cap and rotor. Cylinder compression is 145 + in all cylinders. I have got to get this beast to pass the smog test, and idesa ??? George Wendell BrownWtrSailr@aol.com
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My 1971 Avanti is really upsetting the Green Peace folks with her dirty exhaust. I have replaced the Carburator, Spark Plugs and Wires, Reset the timing, leaned out the carb, New Vacuum lines (thus no leaks), new distributor cap and rotor. Cylinder compression is 145 + in all cylinders. I have got to get this beast to pass the smog test, and idesa ??? George Wendell BrownWtrSailr@aol.com
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Gentlemen, I know that some of you have converted to the one piece belt system, and I once saw a web site that had the complete kit, for something like $790.00. Well, I am saving my pennies, planning on doing a engine rebuild and a drive belt conversion, along with a 4 wheel disc brake installation. Major dollars need to be set aside, but I need to know where to get the pieces/parts I want.
George
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The bellcrank and linkage on the Avanti II are the same ones used on the earlier Avanties and V8 Studebakers.
George
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Take the original hoses to your local auto parts store and they should be able to match them up. The Auto Zone store here in Las Vegas has done that for me. George
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Does anyone know what was the original source of the outside rearview mirrors on the 1971 Avanti II's. The driver's side door mirror on my car is a cable operated remote control, and one of the cables has snapped.
George
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The Avanti may soon be getting the public exposure it has so long waited for. Mr. Richard Sand (the previous owner of my 1971 Avanti II, RQB 1600) has recently published his latest book. In this book, the hero drives a Avanti. Hopefully, readers of his books will be interested in just what kind of car a Avanti really is. Do a Google search to find his books. George Wendell, BrownWtrSailr@AOL.com
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Recent E-mails to Avanti Motors have been bounced back with the reason for the bounce "user mailbox quota exceeded". My guess is that with the troubles they are having, they may have shut down their computer system and are not deleting their inboxes. As of now, I have reached a brick wall on my question to AMC, that deals with finding the original build sheet for my 1971 Avanti, RQB 1600. Just trying to fill in the gaps in the recorded history of my car. George
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Good points, modifying anything can be dangerous, always stick to the
basic design, at the least matching it. Do not use stainless hardware
unless it is graded hardware, most basic stainless hardware is only about
grade 2, which is bin bolts at Home Depot. Grade 5 should be used, its
not recommended to use grade 8 due to reduced shear strength.
As for the seat mounting holding you into the car, thats not entirely true,
its actually the seat belt that will be your friend in an accident. The seat
mount will keep you in place during those hard 0-60 runs.
Tom
As always you folks have provided excellent insight into solving a simple problem. I will include all your input (modified, of course, to suite my needs) into changing the seat height and travel on my Avanti. Now, on to my next project, improving the brakes on my car. SteelTech seems to have the combination I am looking for. However, Turner Brakes is another avenue for me, except for the rear brake setup, as I have a flanged axel, vice the tapered axel. Now to convince the wife that the Avanti needs that much of a investment.
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Wow .. thats a tough one. 4 inches travel? Are you two close in height?
If you move it forward .. its not going to go back as far (obviously). If
you are 6 foot 7, and shes 5 foot ... you guys have a problem. Its got to
go 4 inches FURTHER than it already does? Blocks - maybe. I dont know.
Tom
Tom, Thanks for the input and the suggestion, but I don't really think that is the total answer. I am 5'6" tall, and even with the seat as far forward as is will go, I have to reach REAL far to find the dimmer switch, gas (firewalling the gas pedal is a reach for me), and brake are no problem for me. But my wife, cannot/will not drive any vehicle unless her body is snugged up against the steering wheel. Heck, she even had problems driving my R-1 Automatic GT Hawk. George.
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I have read the article on changing the travel on the Avanti front seats, but i have a different problem. My wife, who is only 5 feet tall cannot see over the hood of our Avanti. And she is itching to drive the car. How, do I go about changing 1) the seat height (about 2 inches), 2) how do I get the front seat to travel forward an additional 4 inches? Thanks for any help guys. George Wendell, RQB 1600. BrownWtrSailr@aol.com
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RQB1600 was built in November 1970 as the first 1971 production vehicle, and as delivered was equipped with the 350 cubic inch/270 HP Chevrolet engine and the Borg-Warner PowerShift Transmission (Later converted to a TurboHydramatic 400.
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I own 1971 Avanti II RQB1600, one of the previous owners had replaced the springs front and rear with Studebaker P/U Truck springs and replaced the shocks with KONI shocks. The cars ride is very firm and extremely precise. I do not know the spec's or part numbers on the parts
Good luck on trying to find the combo that works best for you.
George Wendell, Las Vegas, Nv. (702) 768-6709
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How in the heck do I post photo's to the site ?? I would like to share pctures of RQB1600 when she returns from the body shop..
George Wendell, BrownWtrSailr@aol.com
Replacement Engine
in 1965-83 Avanti
Posted
Last month I ordered a Pro-Built Pro Series 2 1971 Corvette engine to replace the original L48 engine in my 1971 Avanti. The new engine is a 4 bolt main block with 9.1:1 compression, rated at 330 Hp, 350Lb. Ft. I am having a Edelbrock 2101 intake and a Edelbrock 1406 Carb installed. This should boost the outptut a few numbers. Today I was at the shop that is doing the work and compared the block casting numbers, and to my surprise they are the same. Ergo, my new engine wes cast on the same day as the original engine. How strange is that ??? BTW, the L48 is a 2 bolt main block.
George
RQB 1600