mfg

On my own vehicles I always had a bit more paint mixed than I thought would be needed for the job….That way possible future ‘spot’ repairs could be performed with the exact color on the car…. This philosophy has paid off for me over the years!

It’s neither here nor there… but for Studebaker to have to change over a ‘near bulletproof’ clutch release system, as found on, for example, a ‘63 G.T. Hawk, to a ‘complicated mousetrap’, as the Stude suspended clutch pedal system really is, was too bad…. I realize, of course, that the ‘thru the floor’ clutch pedal was considered ancient history and VERY dated by 1961!

Relay located under hood beside voltage regulator

I would love to have been a ‘fly on the wall’ watching THAT conversion!!

The type of shifter to be used would have a lot to do with effort and feel… A Hurst shifter is much superior to the factory Ansen type…… Certainly a for speed manual is more ‘sporty’, however, the stock Avanti Powershift is really an excellent transmission… and I hate to say this.. but I think that us Avanti owners over 70 would probably be happier without having to deal with a clutch pedal!

Some colors are much more forgiving as far as blending paint goes than others… ‘Avanti Turquoise’, which the subject car is, can be a ‘toughy!

Good move!… The ventilated discs and the modern sliding calipers with larger pads are all DEFINITE improvements.

Probably the biggest culprit is the adjustable clutch push rod which connects the clutch linkage bellcrank to the clutch operating shaft… proven to be too weak and actually bendable under compression when in regular use… even with a ‘normal’ pressure plate.. Another Achilles Heel is the clutch operating shaft’s outer support bracket, which is welded to the frame side rail…. That part has been known to weaken over time and tear off of the frame. (sometimes weld fails) This failure has shown up with normal and high performance pressure plates….. Not unique to the suspended system, but sometimes showing up in all Studebaker clutch release systems are the pressed on release fingers, which are located on the release shaft and press against the release bearing, loosening and rotating out of position… These two release fingers should ALWAYS be electric welded to the release shaft whenever a clutch job is done on these cars. (as a bulletproof supplement to the factory press fit)

Wow!… Owned since new! I’ll bet you have some interesting Studebaker dealership stories you could share? I also like the mirrors mounted on the doors… although I must admit that on my own ‘63 they are up on the fenders, where they were when I purchased the car thirty years ago….. (still trying to grow those four foot arms!!)

I can tell you that when Studebaker went to a suspended clutch pedal, beginning with their 1961 Lark models, it wasn’t a great system… it unfortunately has a few weak points which have shown up over the years….. I’d go with the lighter spring pressure plate if you don’t plan on drag racing… The clutch linkage in your Avanti will thank you and your left leg will thank you!! Good luck!

Easy to say “a two hour fix” however, as a former auto body shop technician & manager, I know how fussy folks can be about even the smallest details… and this askew Avanti nameplate IS NOT a small detail to a collector car owner… You should be able to comprehend that…. I’ve seen minor spot repair jobs on vehicles sometimes turn into complete repaints due to color variations that even an expert auto painter, who has mastered the art of tinting & blending, can’t overcome…. So please do not write off the work it would take to correct this nameplate error as a simple two hour job…. because you never know!….Thank you my friend!

I believe that the lower crossbar on the shocks Dave Thibeault sells to fit ‘57 - ‘ 66 Studes have the correct ‘spread’.

I hear you… however, removing the original flange/rubber from old shock for a re- install into the new shock is easier said than done. (but not impossible!)

But, we need to remember that “ it’s just paint” can cost up to $800 per gallon for the good stuff, (plus catalyst & reducer. So it pays to get it right the first time in my book!

YES!….Kind of hard (for me) to believe … The info came from a 2012 for sale ad in TW… seller claiming his Avanti being one of 54 South Bend converts!

Sorry no… not 39.

I’ve wondered how much attention was paid to the occasional ‘streamer’ attached to a body tag screw….With the streamer, body tag, and firewall all painted the same color, and the bodies moving along on an assembly line,I’m sort of surprised those occasional steamer tags were noticed at all! Did the ‘64 R3 Commander sedan have a streamer? With all of its special equipment one would think it would have!

Congrats wdaly!…. A win is a win… and it’s always nice to have your Avanti ‘recognized’!

Yes Geoff… before Youngstown… but not 17! HINT…. The answer might surprise you…It surprised me!

Hmmm!…. I find this very interesting… Maybe I should have looked closer under Studebaker dashboards!!!

Re-read original question

Speaking of Avantis here.

Tell that to the judges at a national AOAI event (especially after you have spent $$$$ on a restoration of your Avanti)….COME ON MAN!!!!

Years ago, when original style PO’s were sold by Newman Altman, they came with several ‘carbon paper’ type duplicates … I can understand how, back in the day, an occasional copy might be tossed under the carpet at the factory.. however, I don’t believe it was a normal practice. (at least not compared to build sheets that can normally be found entwined into the rear seat cushion springs in Mopars)

“ Easily correctable?”… I don’t think so!… The Avanti nose panel script is very ‘thin’ and has no wiggle room if the holes are not drilled in correct location…An owner has to ignore the mistake (as you would apparently do) or rework the nose panel for a redo….. I believe a mistake like that would not be tolerated by Avanti owners who care about the appearance of their cars… We’re not speaking of “ dust in the glovebox” here! However, to each his own I guess!! Be well….Ed