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.
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,
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’!)
The flattened exhaust deflector in the photo would work OK, however it would definitely change the look of the rear of your Studebaker Avanti, and I’m afraid not for the better…..
Beautiful car by the way … ‘Avanti Turquoise’ always gets my vote for best factory color!
RQB3263/81/305 ... Well as a cruiser and living infar north FLORIDA it was seldom used... and always seemed to be in the way to do any engine work ..... at 81 I need all the easy I can get !!... best wishes .... now get your ass out there and shovel that snow....
As an experiment several years ago, I removed the power steering system from my ‘63 Avanti (leaving the 16-1 power steering box in place). This basically would be the same as if the car had been ordered with ‘quick ratio’ steering…
The front suspension was in good shape & well greased…
I was running 20575R-15 radial tires all around at 30 psi….
BAD IDEA!!……My Avanti steered like a truck at low speeds…. (No offense you truck owners out there!!)