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I showed a picture of an Avanti to my soon to be wife. She thought it was the ugliest car she had ever seen. Years later we bought the 83. She sat in the car in the parking lot while I went into the grocery store and when I came out there were several people around the car oohing and aahing as my wife explained the history. Funny how her option changed! Mike

Spark plugs? Radiator cap? How big is your suitcase? What do you need? Mike

So how many folks have their cars all cleaned up and taking them to a show this weekend? Do you all have the Avanti story down for the questions you will be asked? The local SDC is hosting a show in Spokane next Saturday and if the weather holds our coffee group will swing in. Hope everyone has a good spring. Mike

Guess I’ll save them in case I ever get a 63 or 64 that needs plugs! Mike

I aquired two sets of spark plugs, supposedly one set for a supercharged 63 or 64, the other for a 58-64. Neither number in my workshop manual. Confirm or deny? Mike

No brackets and no sign of a moon roof or luggage rack. Whoever did the work did a nice job. Wish I could trace its history. Mike

I would be skeptical too if it didn’t still have red carpet in the trunk.

Part of the mystery. No more red in the interior (except for the red carpet in the trunk), no moon roof, no wire wheels, no luggage rack, no supercharger, and the Nardi steering wheel was gone. Mike Valenti, a former owner, posted on this site years ago, but nothing that speaks to the history of the car. Mike

I have no idea the origin of the supercharger, or what happened to it. Bob Johnstone’s registry said it had a second “gunsight” on the hood, maybe for clearance? It no longer has the white and red interior. Someone did a lot of work on the car over the years. A production order might shed some light. Mike

Wish I could find them for RQB 4771. Bob Johnstone’s registry shows it with the now missing moon roof, luggage rack, wire wheels, and supercharger. Nostalgic does not have them. The previous owner, Mike Valenti, has passed. Mike

Are you changing color?

https://www.nostalgicmotorcars.net/#/

He isn’t out of business, he has a several page ad in the current Avanti Magazine.

In 1972 I installed a Hurst in my 64 Daytona. Really made a difference. Wonder if it was the same as the Avanti shifter? Mike

In his original post, Steven said he recently bought the car. He may or may not know who painted it or how long ago.

I guess since Steven apparently bought the car with the emblem issue, he has to weigh whether he wants to pay to get it made right or live with it. If he is going to show it and have it judged then it’s a trip to the body shop. Mike

90% of people don’t even know what an Avanti is, let alone notice a slight curve in the emblem. Redrilling the emblem holes might require a spot paint on the nose which, if not done right, would be more noticeable. And an expensive venture. Most cars have bigger issues to worry about. Mike

Whether the math adds up or not I’ll give the guy kudos if he can bring back a rare Avanti. I didn’t buy mine to make money on it, I bought it because I always wanted one after I sold my R1 64 Daytona. Hopefully the new owner is going into this with his eyes wide open-he definitely has a big challenge on his hands. Mike

So are there 9 factory R3 Avantis and no R4s? Are there any surviving factory R4 Studebakers? Mike

I don’t remember ever reading of a factory installed R4 in an Avanti, but theoretically if there was, how would it perform against an R3? Have there been comparisons done with Hawks and Daytonas? Mike

Would it have fit in the Avanti engine bay?

Did you check with Nostalgic?

I’m guessing the Packard Hawk wasn’t a big hit. Any idea how many were built? Mike

I’ve heard people say if Studebaker could have hung on until the early 70’s when the gas shortage hit they would have been in good shape because of their economy cars. Any thoughts? Mike

Agreed, shipping is terrible, like a lot of stuff these days.