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The instructions are in the Avanti Workshop Manual.

SDC FORUM UPDATE: The SDC Forum will be OFFLINE on Sunday and Monday, January 18-19, 2026, as they move to their new webserver. Apologies for the inconvenience, but in the meantime, the AOAI forum is alive and well and welcomes all Studebaker and Avanti members!!

I admire folks that put in the effort to bring their car to a concours level, and maybe that is good for a Studebaker. I’ve seen beautifully modified Avanti II’s go for big bucks. Guess it depends if the buyer wants to drive the car or show it. Most of the people at the local car shows I’ve taken my car to have never seen one, tell me it was built in Canada or some other urban legend. I’m guessing 99% of people have no idea what original even is. I like them all! Mike

Still working on R5408. Over the years, there have some modifications, done by P.O. and me. Minor things like wheels, tires, Turner brakes, shocks, alternator, etc. Fortunately things that are easily reversed. Currently bringing it as close to original specs as practical. Prepping it for acrylic lacquer paint, undoing the poor body repairs, and replacing non OEM parts. After all that, I will still have rebuilt engine with NOS Isky ST5 cam/lifters and .060 Silvolite pistons, Coker R670 radial tires, Willard look alike AGM battery, and other minor things I likely forgot. Since this will be essentially a new 60 year old car, this does beg the question of how original is the car when everything is redone, replaced?

I could use some help here. I have a NOS set of Avanti rear shocks Part # 1558550. They are adjustable, but I can't read all the instructions on the shocks. Very lightly stamped. I know there are 5 streps but can't make it out as of yet. if someone has the setting info, that would be greatly appreciated. would save my eyes for sure. I'm getting ready to start it after sitting since 1971. I completely tore it down and went through everything. Had tons of NOS parts that were purchased from Youngstown. I would like to drive it again before I die. Have had it since new. But years of sitting in storage with the cars worst enemy Mice, making it there Plaza hotel. it's been a challenge.

I’m in Cincinnati and will probably be at the South Bend meet in June.maybe someone could deliver them

Hi, Paul, I mailed the second booster to SI about Saturday, 10-1-2026 by USPS, Priority Mail. It should be there. I'll dig out the USPS receipt and post it. You don't owe me anything additional; I should have looked under the boot on the 1st booster. --Dwight

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Dear Dwight, how are you doing? Regarding the second booster I haven't received a conformation of reciept from Jime, S-I. Can you please track and trace the package for me? I will transfer $25 to you for additional postal costs. Many thanks, Paul

Where are you located? Have a set I might sell but don't want to ship. I'm near Nashville. Would definitely trade them for an R1 air cleaner with good chrome though

You might want to review this video

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One thing is for sure, your acquaintance won’t be attempting the record in a Studebaker. Do you know the category he’s entering?

I suspect my acquaintance (not buddy) is after 200mph, not just the 170 record.

I have a set I’d be willing to part with but I’m 200 plus miles north of Toronto and the logistics of getting them to wherever you are in the U.S.A. could be expensive.

Sure, there’s always going to be that guy. Probably 99 out of 100 owners of drivable ‘63-‘64 Avanti’s have them in a “mostly” original condition. Unless your buddy chimes in, we aren’t likely to hear stories of drastic modifications. I’d like to see Mr Saltflat try it the same way Granatelli did, by building out the engine and strapping on a helmet rather than making the attempt in a Corvette.

Yes, I sort of did the same, gutting the 3EE to keep the ‘look’… but instead of going with a small battery inside it, I left the battery case empty and relocated a Group 24 to the trunk, Good idea, MFG..... I'll keep that in mind.. The acquaintance I know modifying the 63 Avanti will likely go into full ground effects and spoilers., so there are those out there totally modifying these cars. That takes on total modifications to the fiberglass. To me, to make sense out of all He's doing He likely picked up His Avanti on the cheap..I never asked Him about the specifics of that.

Only original 63/64 Avanti wheels. Not Chrysler or after market.

Just to clarify…Studebaker engineers utilized a modified Lark convertible (X Member) frame under their Avanti…. Not a “ truck chassis”

I spent several years browsing the market for a ‘63-‘64. One had a GM transmission, a few R1’s had been converted to R2’s, even more had undergone an engine rebuild and had been bored out. Some may have actually had the same displacement as an R3. Few, if any had received the moderate suspension upgrades seen on the R3. The car doesn’t lend itself to HotRod modifications, not that someone won’t try. It’s an interesting and stylish coupe that landed on a truck chassis. Had Studebaker remained in business and followed the Big 3 with similar performance upgrades throughout the 1960’s, we might have a market full of big blocks with 3 carburetors. That could be why we don’t see too many 10 second Avanti’s with parachutes. I wouldn’t touch the bodywork on the original. That goes for both round and square headlights.

Sounds like the clip that holds the release rod to the exterior door lock is broken or missing…. and no, turning the key lock would only open the door on that side, not both. Interior door panels need to be removed to see what’s going on.

I have a 1979 Avanti 2801 and I can't lock or unlock my doors from the outside. I can lock the doors with the lever on the door panel but if I put the key in the lock nothing happens. There are 2 toggle switches on the left side under the dash that lock and unlock each door electrically. Someone told me that the key is supposed to unlock both doors when turned? The lock mech. must be working but the key doesn't do anything? Any help would be appreciated Thank you.

Yes, I sort of did the same, gutting the 3EE to keep the ‘look’… but instead of going with a small battery inside it, I left the battery case empty and relocated a Group 24 to the trunk,

Well, I re-supported my box. It was cracked in one corner and I fiberglassed 4 layers on it... but yeah the battery is crap.. I went thru 3 of em in 1 year before I put a trickle charger on it .I do like the old look of the design... it's quite unique in style.. Saw one guy cut the battery open and remove the guts.. He installed a new battery inside of the original box... just to keep that Retro Look.

Agreed….(I wouldn’t relocate the battery on square light Stude Avantis with group 24 batteries, but I’ve always felt the 3EE was an engineering mistake…. As you say, they don’t seem to last very long, and all that weight sitting on the fragile fiberglass inner skirt is ‘nuts’!)