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With the 2026 AOAI meet coming up in just a couple of months, I knew it was time to do one last engine compartment upgrade to our 2006 Avanti GT before we take it to Palm Springs. I’ve done a lot of appearance work under the hood yet there was one area around the top of the radiator that just didn’t look finished and that needed to be corrected. After opening and closing the hood a dozen times, I knew that I wanted a waterproof panel that was strong, that wouldn’t show in the front hood edge to front body nose gap when opened or closed. It also couldn’t go past the hood struts either. I wanted it to wrap around the individual parts mounted in the engine compartment, while not rubbing up against any part mounted to the engine. After measuring for the basic size, I cut two 12” x 22” pieces of 1/4” Luan plywood to create templates since I knew there would be several hours trimming, test fitting until everything looked right. Wanting them to be uniform in shape when joined together and being able to remove it if needed was another consideration. The Avanti front nose cap in front of the radiator has a lot of curves up and down, left and right that affected how level the piece would sit so test fitting and trimming was mandatory. And of course, the finished piece had to look good. While I was working on the final template layout, I order a sheet of 12” x 48”, 1/8” thick, epoxy based marine fiberglass off of eBay. The seller is a boat company who sells 1/8” – 1/2” thick panels cut to the buyers’ specs who I’ve used several times for flat panels. Here are a few photos of the process and the results.

Here are some naked Frame photos- these may help... My Chassis was very salt corroded and some fuel lines were virtually rusted through and broke completely during removal. Are yours as bad as mine?

Agree.. where's the link or photos? From what has been typed, it sounds like a mess.

links are a good thing to post.

Sorry, outer frame rails have the rips. Something hanging from dash on pass. side, looks like a gauge.

I think dash was modified for a replacement radio, 2 holes on the X frame are ripped partially out also. Has a nice unshrunk steering wheel though. Underside is a little Mass eaten up.

There is a 63 R1, auto, P/S, A/C, white, Red interior for sale on face book. Located in Mass. From what I could see the boxes are history, carb has been changed out also. $14,500

You might want to look up the local SDC chapter. They may have a few hooks in the area....

When we started the AVX-2007 project, John mentioned that he was confident that he did have a lot more records of 2003-2005 models packed away in the dozens of storage boxes and cabinets. He just needs the time to locate and publish the info. On the records he doesn't have, he told me that he knew some other sources of records as well. It's all about what is a priority to him considering all the projects he is usually involved in. BTW, I do follow up with him about this a couple times a year.

The Avanti II lines are on the passenger side and come from the fuel tank as rubber hoses to the metal lines in front of the right rear wheel. Leaks can occur in those old rubber lines, plus the filler neck hose. The rear seat and rear panel needs to be removed to get to those lines/hoses. Once there, I'd suggest replacing all rubber hoses and don't forget to seal the panel when reinstalling the rear panel with fresh dumdum. There are 2 rubber hoses at the fuel pump that need to be checked/replaced as needed.

The Avanti II lines are on the passenger side and come from the fuel tank as rubber hoses to the metal lines in front of the right rear wheel. Leaks can occur in those old rubber lines, plus the filler neck hose. The rear seat and rear panel needs to be removed to get to those lines/hoses. Once there, I'd suggest replacing all rubber hoses and don't forget to seal the panel when reinstalling the rear panel with fresh dumdum. There are 2 rubber hoses at the fuel pump that need to be checked/replaced as needed.

Hello Dwight, I’ve checked the tracking code 9505515180426006513158 and USPS confirms delivery on January 12, 03:03PM at Shelbyville, IN. With other words… the booster is at SI. Let's see what Jim has te say. / Have a nice day, Paul

Ok, will do tomorrow (Wed). Attached is a copy of the receipt of what I think was the second booster. If it didn't get there I will have to file a claim with the USPS. --Dwight

If you feel the source of fuel leak is concealed, I’d pull out the rear seat and fiberglass back plate to reveal fuel tank and it’s connections.

I've got a bit of an emergency on my 1980 Avanti II, so pardon the cross posts elsewhere. I opened the shop today, after over a week of bitterly cold weather and was greeted with a very strong gasoline odor. A quick check shows it is leaking from either the fuel supply or return line, where the steel line attaches to rubber hose and disappears into the body behind the right rear wheel. The fuel lines are different than on Studebaker Avantis, so my workshop manual is of no help. Does the A II have the same loop of rubber up into the sail panel, and is this part of that? How do all of the lines run? Does anyone have a diagram or photos? I'll call Dan Booth if I must, not that he isn't great... he's just very talkative and I want this fixed ASAP. Tomorrow will get to maybe 40, so I can work out there without heat, I hope.

I've got a bit of an emergency on my 1980 Avanti II, so pardon the cross posts elsewhere. I opened the shop today, after over a week of bitterly cold weather and was greeted with a very strong gasoline odor. A quick check shows it is leaking from either the fuel supply or return line, where the steel line attaches to rubber hose and disappears into the body behind the right rear wheel. The fuel lines are different than on Studebaker Avantis, so my workshop manual is of no help. Does the A II have the same loop of rubber up into the sail panel, and is this part of that? How do all of the lines run? Does anyone have a diagram or photos? I'll call Dan Booth if I must, not that he isn't great... he's just very talkative and I want this fixed ASAP. Tomorrow will get to maybe 40, so I can work out there without heat, I hope.

Dear Dwight, according Jim Lime he didn’t received the second booster at Studebaker International. Can you please call him and provide him the tracking number? Many thanks, Paul

John Hull was a principle in Avanti Motors for maybe two years early on...not the entire run until the doors closed. The records he has would be incomplete at best since he left and would have little if any further access to such records.

1997: AVX1 Coupe and AVX2 Convertible Note: AVX2 was the only car built on the Camaro chassis 1998 AVX3 T-Top 2001 AV0001-AV0014 2002 AV0015-AV0037 2003 AV0038-unknown 2004 4 AV00xx Firebird cars located, 2 AV50xx SN95 cars located 2005 AV50xx, 3 SN95 cars located, 8 estimated production 2006 AV4001- 10 cars estimated, 10 located 2007 AV40xx-20 cars estimated, 10 located Several 2007 models were titled as 2006 models towards the end of production so the cars could be sold to the USA during closing so the Avanti VIN series is not sequential.

Glass and stainless frame off a 1981 Avanti II. Rear hinges are rusted and need replacing. Glass and frame are good!

I had the interior redone on my ‘76 4 years ago and replaced all the black belts (acorn vinyl interior) with tan color coordinated belts from Seat Belts Plus for the front and rear seats. The interior shop had to do a minor amount of work to get the front belt retractors to fit in the existing openings but got it handled and everything has been great with the belts.If I remember correctly, the belts were delivered from CA to IL within a week.

I had the 200R4 swapped into my ‘76 RQB-2392 in 2012. I did get the tv cable, shift rods and the shifter plastic shift indicator plate from Nostalgic and gave them to the trans shop that did the work. The swap from the THM400 was pretty trouble free as both transmissions are the same length, no driveshaft adjustment was needed. My engine dropped a little over 1000 rpm’s at 70 mph from the conversion, going from 3000 to 2000 rpm’s.

I just bought the John Hull book, and this may sound trite, but I like the fact that no one seems to know exactly about the production numbers, of the last generation of cars. I find it quite mysterious. I am a bit late for the dance, but candidly admit as a long time Studebaker owner, that this last generation of Avanti's was right in my wheelhouse, I bought a car that was ready to drive and invested much less that I did on the restorations of the 1957 TranStar and the 1962 GT Hawk. I just love reading all your comments, and I am taking notes on information.

Thank you so much. I do understand the process, I have restored six cars in the past two years in Southern California. I am new to the midwest and looking for a good mechanic here, prefer someone with Avanti experience because of the nuances. Terry