boogieman
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Posts posted by boogieman
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Nice posting. Years ago My 1962 Plymouth 2 door sedan max-wedge tribute car was used in an episode of
"Walker-Texas Ranger".
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Discovered another curious if not puzzling aspect on my '79. Noticed the rear tires didn't look right
in the wheel-wells. Careful measuring of the wheels, tires, and axle show the rear end to be offset to
the right 1-1/4". The right tire barely clears the body but the left is inset that 1-1/4 ".
Preliminary inspection looks like everything is as built in '79. Nothing looks out of place.
I will figure it out but wondered if anyone else has run across this. First time I have seen this in
the 300+ cars I have owned.
Boogieman
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Very similar indeed. Mine has a threaded key post on either end and a small tab where the snap is. Basically the same embossing as yours. Mine is in much worse condition though.
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Mine was sagging and seperating badly so I removed it. Opinions on usefulness and need to replace.
Heat control? Noise control? Fire supression?
Thinking of Dynamat or something similar if I do replace it. Right now the underside of the hood looks pretty good without the insulation. Thinking of just painting it.
I have owned 3 Corvette's - 2-'65's and 1- '73, none of which had hood insulation, with no issues with hood paint quality.
Boogieman
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You might check with Dan at Nostalgic, or the Studebaker Museum, as they may have the "build sheet" for your car giving the as-built paint color and code.
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I got the original Avanti leather key case with my '79. It is in very poor shape so I checked with a friend who does leather work about making another.
The case measures 2-3/4" x 1-1/2" (when folded closed), natural leather, a pin on either end for the keys, and a snap on the open side.
Embossed with this on one side:
Avanti Motor Corporation
765 Lafayette Blvd.
South Bend Indiana 46623
and this on the other:
Avanti II (script logo)
If found drop in mail box
He can make one by hand or make an embossing plate for multiple copies.
Wondered if anyone else would be interested and if so how many. This is a unique piece of Avanti automobilia and so very specific to our chosen pursuit.
Cost will be about $20 each which, to me, is a small price for so unique a piece of the Avanti lore.
I just wanted to give the forum an opportunity to have access to these if there is any interest. I would post a picture but the one I have is in very bad condition and barely legible. Let me know so I know how to proceed.
Boogieman
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Been busy on the car. Found and secured a set of 1979 Texas plates for the car so I can register it as a YOM antique. Good for 5 years, no inspections, no annual registration.
Yesterday our oldest son and grandson were over helping do some mechanical stuff on the car. Grandson, (8yo) being inquisitive, opened the ash tray cover, pulled the ashtray, and saw, down on the floor on a piece of paper, the number 2897. I had him carefully remove this to find it is a strip of wood veneer app. 3" long x 3/8" wide, clearly marked 2897 in ink, used on the console trim and dash panel. Clearly the same wood as on the console, and my guess is the indicator for the constructor as to exactly what was to be used on #2897, my car.
I'm thinking this might be rare or at least unusual. Anyone else ever run across this before? I am being constantly amazed at how original and un-molested this car is after over 34 years.
I have removed the roll pins on the quarter window mechanisms and replaced. Amazing how much this improved the operation and function of the window. They even stay open with just the right amount of tension, and draw down snugly against the weather strip when closed. #2897 getting better every day.
Cleaning and treating the dash, I removed what appears to be a speaker grill. Not. There is some sort of what appears to be a vacuum canister with 3 small diameter hoses running to/from the canister. The canister is attached to the grill by a spring steel 1/4" wide x 3/4 diameter of the canister clamp/holding device. Any clues as to this parts function? A/C? heater?
Discovered the windshield washer fluid container cracked on the outside corner. Removed for replacement or repair?
Mercifully the "Cowboys" aren't embarrassing themselves this week, so I get to spent an 85* day out in the shop with #2897. Much easier to deal with.
More later as I discover new things regularly.
And I got the "paragraph start function" reset too.
Boogieman
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Here's the story on RQB2897. Built in March-May '79. Sold to first owner in the Detroit area through Grove Pontiac in Downers Grove Ill. After owning for less than 6 months he sold it to the 2nd owner in the spring of '80. Seems the first owner preferred a Delorean instead. Spoke with Dan at Nostalgic and he remembers doing warranty/service work on the car in '79. The car and 2nd owner wound up in the Tampa, Fla. area where I found it. Doing a national Craigslist search in early October, I saw and bookmarked the car for follow-up later. Didn't want the Moon-roof at that time. Checking back a week or so later the ad had been pulled. Several days later a friend called and asked me if I saw the brown '79 in Tampa. The ad was relisted just the day before. Called the guy on the 16th and got further info, more pics, and 3 videos of the car being started, running, driving, and all systems functioning. Made the deal on Oct. 19th. The car exceeded my expectations and was all I was told it was. No rust, no wrecks, barely 50,000 miles, well maintained and serviced, everything working properly, and basically a one-owner very original example. And in the exact color combination I preferred. Poignant because the 16th was the 6 month date of my wife's passing from colon cancer. And the 19th was the 6 month date of her service. So I believe she had a hand in finding and closing the deal for me. She always supported my car hobby and this one is no different. Special for lots of reasons. A true keeper. As to the Cowboys, they let me down every year. So I randomly pick a team to follow. This year I chose the KC Chiefs. Good call on my part! Here is a pic of the car at purchase time. As you can see this post is all run-together as the start new paragraph function won't work.
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Anyone but me having trouble with the postings? I can't create new paragraphs as I type. Tried just now after "type" to drop down for a new paragraph but no go. The curser doesn't allow me to do that either. It only goes back to the start of that particular line of type. Maybe a 1-D-10-T issue. Operator error. Trash in, trash out.
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Fair enough. seeing tools in other cars I assumed they were included ala other exotics of the era.
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Another question. I see that my car still has the tool pouch mounted on the back seat bulkhead, but no tools. Would be nice to replace these with the semi-correct missing tools. Anybody know what was originally there? And in what order? Anything Avanti specific? If so, what? Once again, not a restoration, but preservation project.
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Trying to get a picture loaded. Mine prices out at $21,540.00 based on the '79 order sheet I found. Guess I 'll make my own.
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Guess I'll make my own based on the '79 order sheet I found. Mine prices out at $21,540.00 FOB South Bend.
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Well OK then. I have a copy of the '79 order sheet with pricing. Mine lists out at $21,540.00. I think I'll make my own using a copy of the order form I have. Thanks.
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Anybody know where to get repop window stickers for our cars? Been searching but found nothing.
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Of all the things I need to be checking into on my '79 I pulled the grill and bumper push bar last night.
Grill in great shape. Had to straighten a couple of bars. Should polish nicely.
The bumper cylinders pose another issue. I would like to see them gone but they are part of the frame horns and therefore not removable. Other than taking the sawzall to them or covering the ends with running lights, any sugestions?
I know this will change the originality of the car but they are so ugly IMHP.
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Thanks Joe. Will check it out.
Boogieman
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Another good friend owns and operates a transmission shop. I will check with him on the 200R4. My understanding is that the 700R4 might require floor pan or trans tunnel trimming due to physical size. You know anything about that?
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Trust me, brakes are one of the first issues looked into. While all seems good now, I WILL thoroughly check the brakes out .
Boogieman
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I checked with Grundy and Haggarty too. Was quoted $250 by both.
Besides, I found that by adding the Avanti, as a stated value vehicle rider on my existing auto/home policies, the premium is only $130 a year. Thats an additional $120 I can put into the car. Win-win for me.
Boogieman
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Good advice gentlemen. This is my first Avanti but I have owned over 300 cars personally since '64 and had to do some sort of work on most of them. For Avanti speciffic issues I have this forum and the knowledge base there-in. Trust me, I will be asking questions.
Excited about getting my hands dirty, again.
This car was stored but driven locally for years. Even a daily driver for a while. So far I have not gotten even a whiff of gas smell in my closed garage. The previous owner belonged to the Avanti Club of Florida, and was supposedly active there. The car is well maintained and serviced locally according to receipts that came with the car. I am comfortable with the current condition.
But will address anything needing replacement or upgrading. Safety issues will be upgraded as needed. After-all, this is a 50+ year old design and can stand modernizing with no detrament to the car.
According to the engine number on the build sheet, the 350 has a TH350 which suites me just fine. I do plan on maintaining the originality of the car, not wanting to start replacing everything soon. There can't be that many original ones left at this point.
Case in point. The build sheet lists a Black Brandy Suede interior door and quarter panel insert. Looking closer last night I see that what I thought was a gold velour is in fact the correct suede but completely faded from the original Black Brandy. The leather will need to be replaced sometime and I know my upholstery guy can replicate the inserts too. Natural leather with Brandy inserts on a Dark Brown Metallic body ought to be stunning. I will find out.
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I'm just happy to have one. And apparently it is a good one. The mechanical stuff I can do.
I found out today that when I register the car here inTexas as an antique vehicle, I can use a '79 speciffic plate. But only one-in the rear. So I have to find the front center bumper rubber insert where the front plate would go if required. $165 fron Nostalgic might be the going rate but I have other issues ahead of that.
And no luck finding a '79 plate that isn't a mixed jumble of offensive or meaningless numbers and letters. XQZ 945 or some such.
I'll look again tomorrow. The prices we pay to be so very exotic indeed.
Boogieman
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Awaiting the package of paperwork, reciepts, invoices, etc. I know full well the perils of over-looking mechanicals, especiall brakes.
The last '65 Corvette coupe I had was supposed to have SS brakes . My surprise one day when the pedal went to the floor as I was entering a major highway. Wouldn't pump up either. Dodged a bullit as I turned it on two wheels down a service road, kicked it into neutral, cut the key off, and stopped with the e-brake. Major pucker factor!
Mechanical issues rate first. I can and will drive an ugly car, but not one that doesn't work first!
Ironically my Vette had cracking issues in exactly the same area. Didn't keep me from driving it. There is a custom hose shop very near to me. I have had braided stainless hoses made before and probably will for the '79, too. Not going to cut corners here. Need to pull and check the master cylinder, brake booster, etc. Lots of attention to the details.
Just starting the process to get it ready for the road. I've waited a very long time for this car so no need to rush now.
Appreciate the advice Gunslinger.
Boogieman
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Got the car yesterday. Troughs could not be more solid. I want to learn how the water enters the trough area, not just from where. This will help me decide wheather or not to procede.
On my '79 there is a 1/4" hole in the bottom of each trough, but about 1" from the rear. The car has a nose-down slight rake so I don't see how that helps. I might put a small hole in the front area too. Either way, they are going to be wire-brushed, POR-15 coated and undercoated too. Possibly with a bed liner brush-on material. Haven't decided yet. Just now able to get started on the preservation.
I'll let the forum know.
Boogieman
RQB 2897
in 1965-83 Avanti
Posted · Edited by boogieman
Haven't been able to get it up in the air and pull the wheels yet to check the
axle. The wheels measure the same from mounting flange out to tire. So any
difference in wheel width or offset will be to the inside and not affect
location and clearance side to side, unless I'm not looking at this correctly.
If the body was the issue I wonder if the mounting points to the frame have thatmuch leeway in alignment. Would have to be at least 9/16" to 5/8th" on each sidefor the offset I measured. I just don't think there is that much allowance from the factory.
By the way Jim, love your car. Especially the stance and "rake". It sits like anAvanti should. How did you accomplish this? Suspension, tire sizes, body mount
shims? #2897 is ever so slightly nose down but I would like more. Thanks for
measuring your car for me.
We had an ice storm here yesterday with about 1" of ice on everything. Cold in
the shop even with a heater running. Keeping me from getting deeper into the
issue right now. And it's Christmas time too which cuts into my shop time.
Boogieman