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Why then, are so many Avantis equipped with orange superchargers? The production data booklet shows a photo of a pre-production R2 engine with a black supercharger and a caption that reads “Production cars were fitted with orange superchargers from the factory.”

Yes, it's been awhile since my last post... Thanks to all who have replied about my emblem. I guess it's not really an issue for me, since I actually like the "swoosh" appearance. I'll just let the next "caretaker" deal with it, if they want.

The quote “Price is what you pay, value is what you get” is attributed to Warren Buffet/Benjamin Graham. Price is arbitrary, value is fundamental. Determining the value of a stock is difficult and complicated, however getting a reasonably accurate result is possible. Finding stocks that were priced below their value made Mr Buffet a wealthy man. Determining the value of a 60 year old vehicle may be as difficult as determining the value of a publicly traded company. Each of the ~4500, ‘63-‘64 Avanti's would need to be evaluated on an individual basis. At this point in their lives, no 2 cars are going to be in the same condition. This makes it unreasonable to state a value for, say all ‘63 R1’s. Some are projects, both big and small, some will be DIY jobs others will be farmed out at current shop rates. Some will be nice drivers, others may win a ribbon at a local car show, a few will be trailer queens. True or not, it is often said in the classic car collector world, that you’re better off buying a car that someone else fixed or restored. Not everyone wants a project. They want a car that can be driven for fun and shown simply for the sake of showing it to others. They are frequently bought with disposable income and little to no intent of ever being sold. What we end up with are broad strokes of ratings from 1-4, when it should probably be 1-100. Then we get an average for each group. It’s the best we can do unless we have each car appraised and then add that information to the registry.

Gunslinger, what is the recommended mechanical brake light switch?

If you think about it it would make sense that two colors were delivered to the factory so as there was no mix up on the production assembly lines. Lark Hawk being orange on one line and Avanti being black on another line. They are clocked different for the exhaust outlet so don’t interchange without some dismantle/reassembly.

I have noticed several reupholstered Avantis missing door SS trim, including one of my Avantis. I doubt that the owners wanted the trim pieces left off, so maybe the upholstery shops are the culprits, leaving them off intentionally. Or, perhaps the tabs on the ends broke off. --Dwight

Bob.. 2 points on Your info/ 1) A Hobby and a Job can be one in the same especially if You love what You do.. A Hobby can even be a 9-5 option if retired and dedicated to it. Also there is no reason to think a Hobby cannot show a profit, and be considered in a Business like Fashion. To not do so is throwing money away.. which is fine with me if the thrown cash is headed my direction by me buying at around 50% of said value.. And those deals are out there and offered by sellers. I don't have to lowball Sellers.. They lowball the items themselves. 2) Car values are as you say variable and somewhat dictated by the History of Sales. It's the only indictor we have. Sooo .....there needs to be a Honesty in valuation, but thats up to the Buyer to determine. And yes, the prices cannot be determined by being uninformed or blinded by a Love of something vs actual market value.

I haven't checked the Booth or Myers. I was hoping to help another owner clear out a closet or garage shelf if they happened to have the trim pieces. We all seem to have more than a few Avanti parts stashed away.

That was addressed here:

Wow!… The Studebaker Drivers Club account has been suspended! Not sure why, however I do feel the SDC forum has been mismanaged for quite some time….. Time for a new Studebaker Forum administrator (finally!!)

I'm trying to find a replacement slip yoke for my original TH400 tranny. I believe a C3 'Vette 68-81 used the same quick-change slip yoke, but I can't find dimensions for that part number anywhere, "CA-41277". Anyone know it this is a good replacement or know of another one? Most I've researched are longer than the 5.5" (overall) unit in my car now (pic attached).

Excellent idea!!

I took mine to the body shop to have it replaced, but they found that it was a bad ground. They also put a manual release cable on it so that access to the trunk is possible the next time it malfunctions (or with a dead battery.)

RQB3263/81/305 .... GOOD MORNING GUY ....I found the rams horn headers in Summit ... your appear to be the chrome version ...is that correct.... and do you have a part number for your valve covers ?? .and how bout the ARP exhaust manifold bolts ??it sure looks like im going to blow my 2026 Avanti budget in January YAAAAA..... if you feel like calling me 386-466-6434 in florida.... otherwise HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL ......BILL

There’s another site called classic.com that provides valuations based on sales. Is it more accurate than Hagerty or BAT, who knows? Just another data point. Because of a nearly infinite number of variables it is next to impossible to say that a 1963 R2 with a 4-speed, 50K miles in #2 condition (who’s #2?) is worth X dollars. On the subject of turning a profit, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. One is the true cost of the project. Everyone I know always wins in Vegas. The reality is that it just isn’t possible. Another is that what one believes their vehicle is worth isn’t what a buyer thinks it is worth. Additionally, when the value of an item increases over time, it is likely that the value of similar items have increased as well. A hobby that has to be a profitable business venture, is a job, not a hobby. There are certainly a number of big and small operations that are buying and selling classic cars. Most appear to be doing quite well. For someone engaged in that activity, escalating prices would seem to be a desirable trend. I’ve had endless discussions with my dad about stock valuations and even the price of apples. It’s difficult to know if it just doesn’t make sense to him, if he truly doesn’t understand it, if he’s stuck in the past or if he just wants to carry on a discussion without realizing that he’s presenting himself as being somewhat uninformed. Similarly, a discussion about Avanti values will require a look at data and what is actually occurring in the market, rather than opinions and individual circumstances.

My first Avanti that I bought in the LA area was a 64. It had a B letter after the serial number on the title but not on the plate. I had a hell of a time passing the out of state vehicle inspection in Ohio to get it titled. That was back in 1973.

Morning Dwight, that’s super! Costs for transportation are on my account. What’s the amount? Do you like to get the first booster back and are there other consequences? / Have a pleasant Sunday.

Jon Myer at Myer’s Studebaker may have some good used trim. Dan Booth at Nostalgic Motors is another potential source.

I found original speakers. The more I thought about it, the more I want to keep it the way it was when we bought it new in 63. One thing for sure, I would never cut holes where there weren't any. If it was any other year but 63-64, I would not have a problem cutting it up. I've put to much time, energy and money in it, trying to keep it stock. Putting in an upgraded radio was not a good idea with what my intentions are. Not having existing locations for speakers puts the kibosh on it. Rear speakers wouldn't be a problem; I have replacement deck I can cut up. Unless I can figure something out for the front, I'll have to let it go. It just came to me with what you said, I could fabricate the fiberglass console sides top covers. That would allow me to put descent speakers in and would be easy to restore to original. I think I even have fiberglass sheet and new carpet pieces for those panels that came in a carpet set, a guess for a later car. They have about a 2" rnd. hole in the middle. That puts a whole new light on the project. I think I will still put in the new original speaker with wiring should I or someone else want to restore back down the road. Thanks for mentioning about the door panels, It made me think about other places other than the factory location. Makes me wonder why someone cut holes in the tunnel and mounted unprotected speakers in a car I was looking at. Well, I guess it's back to spending money, even more since now I'm going to need 4 good speakers. It's not like the old days. I paid $4k to strip and paint one of my Avanti. $900 for all the chrome. I just paid $14k for stripping and painting and $3k for the front and rear bumpers and valve covers, and I have to wait 3 months for the chrome. Thank you again for your input.

Hi, Paul, Jim has accepted my second booster (from my pictures), so I'll mail it to SI. --Dwight

Looks like you're correct. https://www.theavanti.com/national_mall.html

I'm reupholstering my '63 and need the upper chrome strips on both upholstered door cards and also the chrome strips in the back seat area above the arm rests. These are the trim pieces that divide the pleated panel upholstery from the upper fawn upholstery. Previous owner removed them and didn't reinstall when he had new upholstery installed. Thanks, Dennis

The sway bar bushings are hard to fit even for stock. I do the ones on the frame first, using a jack to get them place. Then the ones on the a frames.

This question has been batted around for years……. For authenticity judging at AOAI meets, either orange or black is acceptable . Personally, I feel that although an orange supercharger ‘presents’ itself better, Studebaker intended the superchargers on Avantis be painted black, as much of their early advertising indicated.