mfg

I tend to repeat myself… sorry… but what the heck were Studebaker engineers thinking when they decided to use a 3EE battery in an ‘advanced’ car…. as their new Avanti, at the time, truly was?? ( Well, at least they didn’t return to a 6 volt electrical system!)

Yes.. some mechanics consider the less slippery Type ‘F’ fluid to be a “dry” fluid, so to speak, compared to other ‘more slippery’ types.

No build sheet in car… however, production order for most every Studebaker passenger car built after WW 2 is available from Stude National Museum.

Any car with power disc brakes is more difficult to stop, and takes a lot more pedal pressure, if booster fails…. However, if the rest of the brake system is maintained and is up to snuff, the vehicle indeed can be stopped.

It’s probably a lot of work… and I’ve never attempted it.. but these Paxton Superchargers look AWESOME when they are left bare aluminum, and then buffed & polished!!

Every ‘66 -‘85 Avanti that I’ve seen had Chevy ‘Rams horn’ exhaust manifolds from the factory… your’s doesn’t? I like the Edelbrock carb and stock HEI ignition idea! I installed an Edelbrock Performer intake on my small block ‘400’. Best of luck with your ‘new’ Avanti!!

I purchased a Paxton several years ago painted white from factory… It actually just might look nice in a ‘Avanti White’ Stude Avanti!!

Probably very close….and available to you locally…If you do decide to order from SI, make sure they don’t send the ‘R3’ supercharger paint… which is more of a red color.

You may also consider calling Dave Thibeault on those shocks… He recently sold me a set of gas shock absorbers for my Golden Hawk that fit and perform perfectly!

Your supercharger has probably been painted more than once over the years… Although black is ‘factory’, I agree they ‘POP’ much better painted the typical Chevy orange (mine is orange)…. I think I’d seal all openings into the blower with duct tape, and then simply coat it with paint remover and let the chemical do the stripping… much easier than trying to sand all the paint off……. When the supercharger is back to bare aluminum, I’d wash it thoroughly with water, let it dry, then scuff it with 320 sandpaper.. Then, as you say, use the self etching primer, then finish off with the Chevy orange aerosol paint. (I use Ford type ‘F’ fluid … it is less slippery than some other types, which is better for the ball drive.) The supercharger belts are self adjusting due to the tensioner spring.

Just received the 2025 AOAI Calendar… Truly beautiful photography! Love the ‘Avanti Black’ ‘63 surrounded by California Police cars!….Also love the ‘Turquoise Twins’…… Really nice job on this calendar!

I completely understand…. My ‘63 is a ‘keeper’, and I have made a few mods to it that, to me anyway, are improvements… My general rule of thumb is…. Make modifications that improve the car, but do that using Studebaker parts albeit possibly different years! Example… I‘ve installed a factory AM-FM Delco radio in my ‘63 Avanti… correct for a ‘64 Avanti, but not for an early ‘63.

Aard, if it works for you…. ‘GO WITH IT’!

The parking lights come on with the head and tail lamps (and side markers), but they should also come on without headlamps with switch in park position. What model year is your Avanti?

Question…. We’re they working normally and then this issue suddenly appeared?

R2 Stude Avantis built without the hood fiberglass cross brace would probably stand the best chance! (Of R3 blower box clearance)

Turner brakes and dual master are ‘spot on’ good ideas…. 3EE is not unless, as you say, the idea is to keep an Avanti which is all original…. all original. Just my opinion!

3EE batteries are EXCELLENT… for John Deere tractors!!!!!!!! Seriously, why do you think the company that made the Avanti, Studebaker, saw that using the cumbersome 3EE was a mistake and got rid of it, going to a common Group 24 type, when other updates on their Avanti were being phased in?

The Graham Hollywood was very interesting …. I think from the cowl rearward the body was basically all Cord, however the nose, or doghouse, was unique to Graham…. And, also, it had a conventional rear drive.

OK…. I’ll give it away…… HINT…. Dexron…. Ford Type ‘F’ !

Other thoughts?

Thanks very much for taking the time to post the photos…. Not that it matters, but I wonder if the spacers were only used on 4 speed Avantis, or were they also used on 3 speed std. models?

That’s a fairly thorough list… about all I’d add is a close inspection of fiberglass body for signs of earlier accidents, and inspect for soaked carpets ( Avantis are known for their share of water leaks!… Good luck!

Amen!….. (And nice job!)

You’re closing in….. HINT…. GM…… Ford