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Please read the above letter which I quoted from… it indicates 10/1/63 as the model year change date… Also, I suggested Ron contact Mr. Krem for a ruling here…Ed

Ron….I see the one month discrepancy between the two letters…. suggest you contact Mr. George Krem for his opinion concerning this….Ed

Check your AOAI Magazine Issue #60, page 15….A letter issued by Lewis Minkel of the Studebaker Corporation, and reprinted by noted Studebaker/Avanti expert George Krem, reads…..(QUOTE) ”Effective October 1, 1963, and until further notice, all new and unused Avanti models, when first sold at retail and licensed or titled after the October 1, 1963 date, will carry the registration year designation year 1964.” The above referenced document, originally issued in 1963 by Studebaker Corporation, indicates (to me anyway) that the correct answer to this trivia question is 10/1/63…. Ed

I believe R5642 did have an all ‘Metallic Red Vinyl’ interior… but that discontinued color was special ordered… a personal preference of the original purchaser of the car.

Sorry psdenno, but the reprint of a Studebaker document which I have indicates a date which isn’t mentioned above.

This is relevant, however, not the reason that the date of 10/1/63 is truly important in the story of the Avanti. Any other thoughts concerning this date?

The first four model years of the 1980s carried a base price increase of …….?……. for new Avanti automobiles. 1) $1,970……2) $2,555…..3)$ 4,495…or…4) $5,880

Why is 10/1/63 an important date in the history of the Studebaker Avanti?

Apparently, Studebaker thought styling revisions for the ‘64 model year Avantis would be a good idea, and the ‘square lights’ on Winfield’s model kit, which came out months before R4130 was pulled from the production line to be modified, appealed to them. That’s what MAY have happened!

Well Gunslinger, you’re ’right on the money’ when you mentioned the rather elaborate dual snorkel L69 air cleaner assy, with its twin intake hoses leading down over the front tires to left & right grills installed in the valance panel…. a dead give away at a glance! Well done!

Answer…. ‘Probably’ #3…. Mr. Gene Winfield!

What is a quick visual way to determine if a stock 1984 Avanti is equipped with either a LG4 305 engine or the more powerful L69 305 engine? (without checking engine code numbers)

1984 Avanti ‘Touring Coupes’ were available in …..?….. special exterior colors. 1) Three….. 2) Four…3) Five….or….4) Six

Other thoughts?

Answer…. #3… The R3 engine that was previously raced in the ‘Studependous’ drag race ‘60 Lark!

Good thought Nels… but the answer would be found in one of the four (now 3!) above.

Yes, a good man…. Paul sold me different NOS Avanti items over the years at very fair prices… and was certainly thinking ahead when he purchased and brought back to the U.S. the two still crated R3 and R4 Paxton built Studebaker engines.

Yes, gas level sensor is old style float type (probably cork… which can deteriorate with age … like me!) 10 lbs should be plenty… have someone listen for air bubbles at fuel inlet….Ed

It’s the old school setup Ard… Unfortunately, these Avantis have a bottom dead center fuel outlet (in the tank)… So debris tend to collect in that area….. So blow everything out, change filters (one in carb fuel entrance) and possibly install new mechanical pump…. (inexpensive for Chevys) … Good luck with this!… Ed

P S …. The R4 engine, referred to in answer #4, is still on display at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend.

Any other thoughts on this one?

Yes Ard,….the ‘400’ had something like 400 lbs/ft of torque at a low RPM…. You’re Vega, a very light car, MUST have been a real THRILL RIDE!!!

I’m finishing up the restoration of my 1956 Golden Hawk, and have been out on the road driving it a bit. It has a 3.92 rear end ratio, and having a stick shift tranny, I’m very impressed with the low end torque this car has… It really pushes me back in the seat when I step on it! I can only imagine what a Studebaker Avanti would have performed like if this engine (352) was available in 1963! Off the line performance of this Stude is similar to my ‘73 Avanti (400CI)

This is a great question that I don’t think has ever been asked before! My thought is the design was changed to make the system more user friendly.

Good guess but no… not the R4!