mfg

Nelson...did all the factory Studebakers which were run at Bonneville in '63 have standard transmissions?

At Bonneville, what 'trick' did the Granatellis employ to keep the (standard) transmissions functioning well in the record setting Studebakers?

Yes..you nailed it!...Apparently Mr. Loewy had no use for exposed bumper bolts..as can be seen on Hawks & Larks....but are completely absent on Avantis!

Sorry no, that wasn't what 'bugged' Raymond!

What was it about Studebaker Hawk & Lark bumpers that Raymond Loewy did not like...an issue he corrected on the Avanti?

Hope everyone had a HO HO Happy Christmas...I spent a few hours at my local Toyota dealer on Christmas eve waiting for battery to be replaced on the Rav4 I purchased a few months ago...Imagine..3,100 miles on the vehicle and I had to jump it to get it going...battery was JUNK!!! (And they ask me why I drive an '83 Avanti for everyday transportation!!)

Interesting ...thanks!

So closely associated with the cars we love... RIP Paula!

I closed the moonroof opening with fiberglass on my '83 Avanti several years ago, and it has worked out well, however, I must admit that, excepting for the leaks, I do miss having it.

It's been said to never run a thicker (stiffer) sway bar at the rear of vehicle than what is on the front.

I feel fortunate that my '63 Avanti was painted in acrylic lacquer back 35 years ago...The car has been well cared for, and when I show it, it gives onlookers a better idea of how Studebaker Avantis appeared back when they were new.....Ed

Modern base coat/clear coat urethane paints, with their 'wet' look, enhances almost any color... I think it should be noted though that this modern deep, wet, appearance is definitely not how the factory lacquer paint jobs looked in '63-'64.

I've never removed the sway bars from my '85..but they appear to fit the suspension just like the thinner ones do......(the '84's and 5's also came equipped with the 'short' steering arms)

That's a gorgeous Monte!...I've always liked those.

Does anyone running a ball drive Paxton on their Avanti change the fluid on an annual basis? I used to do that, however, I have to admit I haven't changed the fluid in the superchargers of my limited use '63 Avanti or GH in quite some time!

Agree on the o/d automatic..I've been using an '83 Avanti for everyday back & forth to work for 29 years, and probably would have parked it long ago if it wasn't equipped with a 700R4! ( Just turned 600,000 miles..New Goodwrench 305 in 2010...700R4 and rear axle untouched excepting for fluid changes!)

After owning and maintaining an all black '55 Speedster show car for over 30 years, I've seen that when a smudge or water spots can be almost unnoticeable with other colors, these same imperfections are magnified ten times when found on a black vehicle!

It's too bad Studebaker didn't have more time to manufacture Avantis... I've noticed over the years that whenever large (or small) inventories of NOS Studebaker parts surface, it's uncommon to find any part 'exclusively Avanti'.....They just weren't in production long enough for very many 'Avanti only' parts to filter down into dealer inventories.

Wow!

Hello Nelson.....About the All-State tire you displayed at this show....It looks worn right down past the tread rubber...Did the Granatellis wear down all the tires on #1 (and the other Bonneville Studes) like that?

Thicker sway bars were factory installed on the '84 - '85 model year Avantis.

I believe that this (wash out issue) was why (at the time) Ditzler (now PPG) came out with a second 'Avanti Gold' paint formula....Exactly same color... but 'fortified' to hold shine longer.

Concerning radio removal, I've noticed it's a much easier job on '80's Avanti ll's, as on those models the radio speakers were relocated to the kick pad area, and the Stude type radio speaker grill is replaced with a removable sun glass holder allowing access to the radio through the top of dashboard.

Also, I agree with you on AVANTI GOLD...Not that it's a bad looking color, but back in the day the factory Avanti Gold lacquer seemed to go flat (wash out) very early on when exposed to sun & weather, making many Stude Avantis look old before their time.

Tough question...because EVERYONE will have a different opinion...My two cents...AVANTI TURQOUISE is hard to beat!!