Jump to content

Randy Atkin

AOAI Forum Members
  • Posts

    32
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Randy Atkin

  1. I guess you didn't catch my sarcasm. There is nothing wrong here as you seem to think. Just because production numbers were not published does not mean the company had "sloppy" bookkeepers. Give them a break. They may have had their reasons. As for the books there's tons of information in them not available anywhere else. True Avanti enthusiasts cherish these books. I don't know how you can not be satisfied. It just so happens what you are looking for may not be available and no one including Avanti Motors or the author can be faulted for that. 

  2. Here we are some 60 years after the debut of the Avanti and brake pads, pistons, cylinders, etc are still available. How long will we be able to buy Cobalt pads - 5 years, 10 years? They could go out of business tomorrow. Then what?  Something to consider.

  3. You have to remove the entire headlight bucket assemblies from the backside if you want to replace the lens and reflector. Access is easier if you first remove the front wheels and inner front fender liners. There are three thin metal straps that hold each bucket in place. Removing the three nuts and bending the straps out of way releases the bucket.  While you are under there make sure the straps are still firmly glued to the fiberglass front panel as this is a very weak spot in the design. Once you have the buckets out of the car it will be obvious how to switch the lens/reflector.

     

  4. Early Avanti II's came with an engine mounted surge tank. I am not sure when they stopped using them, but possibly yours is original. I know my '71 had one. Maybe others can comment on this. The two piece hose with metal tee and cap was offered as a conversion to replace tanks that had gone bad.

     

  5. I have heard yet another story regarding the paint peeling problem and that was the paint manufacturer sent a rep to see what Avanti Motors was doing that could be causing the failures. It was found that during wet sanding of the primer the workers were dipping the paper into buckets of water that had dish washing soap added in an effort to avoid clogging of the paper which is commonly done on the final finish coat but not on the primer. Doing this was leaving a minute amount of soap on the surface which affected the adherence of the finish coats. The story continued that they stopped adding the soap and no more paint problems.

  6. Wayne - You are correct. Yours is not a proportioning valve as there was no need for one with the Studebaker system. It is a brake failure warning switch which activates the warning light on your dash whenever there is a loss of pressure in either your front brakes lines or rears. It was used on AMC cars from '67-'74 and is no longer available to my knowledge. Muscle Car Research LLC, (Google them) offers a complete repair kit, their part # AMC-Valve-Kit-3 for $27.00. Your switch can only be repaired if the cylinder bore is not corroded. The pistons do not come with the kit so yours need to be in good shape and reused. A word of warning - when reassembling the nylon bushing it is very delicate. Just tighten by hand. It doesn't retain fluid so it doesn't  need to be leakproof. Hope this helps.

  7. I would only add to drn1965's comments that the 2006-2007 dashes were also heavily modified, actually I would say more than the 2005, to resemble Avanti dashes of the 80's. I have seen the picture of the black Avanti outside the Cancun showroom doors many times and mistook it for a 2006 or 2007.  I now agree it appears to be a 2005.

     

  8. Thanks for  the comparison photos drn1965. I never noticed all the differences of the actual prototype. At the SDC Rhode Island meet I talked to the former (and I think original) owner of the red 2005. If I recall correctly, he changed the "Avanti" script to the old style as he preferred it. He told me he had trouble with the upholstery on the door panels in that the Avanti script was deteriorating so he had the door panels remade without script. It seems to me he did some other minor interior changes. Apparently he changed the headrest script also. This car has been for sale for several years now. While it is very nice the price seems too high to me, thus not sold. Personally I like the sloping trunk lid of the 2005 better than the 2006-2007, but I do not like the 2005's flared out wheel openings.

     

     

  9. Some very inexpensive OBD code readers like the Autel model MS309 will display the vehicles original VIN number. This is how I was able to determine the Ford VIN on my 06 Avanti. What I am not sure of is if the 87-88 Monte Carlo has the type of computer that accepts an OBD scanner. You might want to look near the bottom of the dash on drivers side to see if it has the multi pin female receptacle for the scanner.

  10. It is a "test switch" to make sure the red brake warning light on the dash is functioning. When you press the switch the warning light should light up. If it doesn't, check the bulb or the wiring. This warning light is there to alert you of low brake line pressure caused a leak in the system.

  11. R3 Forward- I think I am correct in that the last two digits of the VIN  numbers did not start over again at 1 for the 2007 models but continued on from from the last numbered 2006 model. So if we are in the ballpark of a combined total of (30) 2006 and 2007 cars built, then yours is the 19th of 30 produced. Studegary -If your question of what is the 10th digit of my Ford VIN number was directed to me, it is a 5 meaning it was a 2005 Mustang prior to conversion, yet my Avanti is considered a 2006 based on it's Avanti VIN number.

  12. Sounds like you had the same problem as I had with my 2006 coupe - no AM reception. I ended up making an antenna using #14 insulated solid copper wire and hiding it under and around the outer perimeter of the rear window shelf.  It works pretty well. Originally, there appeared to be some type of hidden antenna under the dash which may or may not have had an amplifier. It was impossible to reach or clearly see it. Whatever it was; it was either defective or never did work. Is this what you found on your convertible?

  13. Ed, Beautiful car. Is your car bra available from a supplier who may have kept the patterns, so they could make future ones, or did you make it yourself?  It looks great and I would sure like to purchase one.  Regarding your VIN number, I think you may be looking at the Ford VIN. If it begins with 1ZV, that is the Ford VIN. If your car also has an Avanti VIN number it will begin with 1A9 and the last 2 digits with be the production number. Both numbers may be located on the drivers door jamb. John Hull in his book states approximately 38 Mustang based cars were built, so yours being the last one should have a VIN ending around 38, although as previously noted the cars may not have been completed in exact order as VIN numbers were assigned prior to the cars being built.

     

     

  14. California Car Cover Co custom made one for my 2006 coupe. They supply you with an information form to fill out,  where you supply the necessary dimensions. The fit is pretty good. They may have retained the dimensions but yours being a convertible wil require you to use the form. If you choose to have mirror pockets you must sew those in place yourself. I chose to not have pockets and the cover just drapes over the mirrors. They have a number of different fabrics and colors to select. I like their "Dustop", however this is for inside use only. I recall the price was in the $300.00 dollar range.

×
×
  • Create New...