All Activity

Thanks for the information. Are you using this for both Heat and Cool or just Cool? Did it come with a wiring diagram to help with the install? Tom

You can try this one https://www.summitracing.com/parts/UAC-SW3004C They are also on Amazon

Thank you. Do you have a source for the temperature switch

http://www.studebaker-info.org/Tech/Aircon/murray35701.jpg

Is there a source for the fan switch? Either the oem reostat resistor type fan switch or the current 3 speed switch would be ok. Dan Williams 1972 RQ-B 1882

I'm in the process of removing the "factory" air from my '63 Avanti R1 (personally I think most were dealer installed). So far I have the evaporator out and am taking the compressor and condenser out next week. Here's what I know about the system: 1) It was serviced in 2005 (documented) and recharged with R134. I assume it was converted at that time or earlier. However, its does not have R134 charging ports, so they must have done it through the old type ports. 2) The clutch does work. I applied power to it for a few seconds and the York compressor turned and pumped. The system then held pressure. The car had sat in a garage unused for the last 20 years and the system did leak down over that time. I did not try to charge it. 3) The blower motor is hard to turn and will need rebuilding or replacing. Bob Ziff , Avantiparts.biz apparently has them,, saw a post from someone who had bought one. 4) Hoses look good but are at least 20 years old. 5) Comes with the aluminum plate, "Studebaker AIr Conditioning" and charge info that would have been mounted somewhere under the hood (I assume). The tag was in my glovebox. I'll sell the entire system for $1200 plus shipping . If no one wants the whole system, I'll start selling it piecemeal. I'll post more photos here as I remove parts.

This is the particular unit, however, you can find it for various prices on both Ebay and Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM8P3RMF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title It is basically the same unit you would buy from Vintage Air for say $450 to put factory type A/C in your street rod , way up under the dash, and run hoses to the vents. I just removed the front faceplate where the hoses attach. You then drill a hole in your dash for each control. I just drilled out the holes in the stock faceplate to fit the controls. I also have a compressor and condenser/drier on the way and so far have a total of about $330 in the system. Of course at that price I'm dealing with Chinese components, which is why I check out reviews first. I'll still need some misc parts like custom hoses, which I'll probably have made up by a shop in Nashville that specializes in that. Vintage air probably gets $2200 for a similar setup. I imagine the old parts will sell for enough to easily cover my conversion, and I won't have to find surplus R12 at $40 a can!

This is great, I am wondering which evaporator unit you went with. You are right there are so many to choose from out there. I am also considering getting a modern evaporator unit for my build. Thanks, Tom

Decided I would rather have all new components than mess with the old ones. There are lots of underdash kits on Ebay and Amazon that will work, but I decided to buy the parts piecemeal so I can research each one and check out reviews. So far I've gotten the evaporator . I noticed when I removed the old one that it looked VERY similar to an underdash unit of the time. Then I saw that underdash units had really not changed much in the last 50 years- dimensions are about the same. So I put two and two together and decided I would try to retrofit the new one in place of the old (which I will be selling along with all the other parts I remove). I followed Nostalgic's instructions on removing the old one and determined where I would have to trim the plastic evaporator cabinet and the fiberglas Avanti console to make it work. Pretty minimal work needed . I was even able to replace the old controls with new. Could have retained the old knobs but due to the length of wire provided, they would have had to have been reversed right and left, so I fitted the new ones. Next step is underhood, where I will use a York to Sanden adapter to fit a new modern compressor and swap out the existing 20 X 16 condensor with integrated drier for a new 20 x 14 with separate drier.

Sure looks pretty!!

Back when the folks at Paxton Products were scrambling to sell off the last of their Studebaker R3/R4 engines... and were running short of some of the special parts required to build these engines, engine valves were supposedly sourced from …..?….. 1) Chrysler…..2) Pontiac….3) Lincoln…..or…..4) American Motors

From: Roze Hanks <rozeh@hendersonauctions.com> : Hi there... First... I've been a Raymond Loewy/Avanti fan since my teenage years (several centuries ago) and LOVE this site! Looking forward to checking out all of it. Second... I work for a company (Henderson Auctions) out of Livingston, La. and we are auctioning a 1963 Avanti R2 with under 80,000 original miles, this coming Saturday, May 3rd. I would like to pass on the info to your members if that is OK, and wanted to send through you "just in case." I saw this specific R2 the very first day I started my current job almost 2.5 years ago... took that as a "sign from God" i was with a great company! This one has been very well maintained. If/when we have another one (or more) in the future I will forward to you first as it would be terrific to "keep these in the family" of Avanti owners who genuinely appreciate these amazing classics! So... here is the auction link (there is no reserve) https://bid.hendersonauctions.com/ui/auctions/123679/19386944 The live / online auction is being held at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in case anyone is in the area this weekend for the Indy Race. I sure hope to be an Avanti owner one day. COOLEST CAR EVER!!! Thank you and have a blessed day!

I showed a picture of an Avanti to my soon to be wife. She thought it was the ugliest car she had ever seen. Years later we bought the 83. She sat in the car in the parking lot while I went into the grocery store and when I came out there were several people around the car oohing and aahing as my wife explained the history. Funny how her option changed! Mike

"Not all who have eyes can see....."

It takes all kinds!!

The Avanti is the lead picture in this article from Jalopnik. "Surprising Cars you Dislike"

Oh, year, right, did not find that before: https://www.parts123.com/parts123/dyndetail.pta?catalog=0001003a&uKeY=AADCL I'll give them a call as I have so called "saddle leather".

Perfect picture. It says it all! Thank you. Jim

Studebaker Int has covers available on a per order basis. I may attempt to do the back seat on my own, as far as the front I will buy a modern highback pair, being this is a restomod project Im not concerned with originality, plus cheaper than new covers and foam, plus my labor.

Hi Guy, You did a nice job with vinyl! Will you redo the seat too or have them done? I'm looking for one that can do my seats. But in Europe, this is impossible. So, now I'm trying to find an American that can make the covers that I can mount myself. I have the small, thin front seats like the early Avanti's have.

AG-R3, thank you very much for sending this.

There is info regarding the original install templates at https://studebakerdriversclub.com/?page_id=25049

I have the second generation logo in a vector file

Anyone know if these exist? Thank you.

I have my entire interior apart so while I am not sure if you can take out the evaporator on the passenger side. Having said that it sure seems like that would be possible. Disconnect the wiring, the two upper supports, remove the A/C hoses and remove the drain hose. That is all holding it place.