Desert Driver

Well done. I agree with your assessment about the dash looking too Mustang for an Avanti. I also am not crazy about the shifter and the large steering wheel hub that houses an airbag. Having owned a 2006 Mustang GT, I wasn't too crazy about the latter two either! You did a great job 👍 👍

Could be...sounds logical. But if it was pre '84, wouldn't that be a feature installed on Newman-Altman Avanti's?

This is the underside of the console cover for the five adjustable levers on my '84. At the top of the photo is a cut out hole. At the bottom is a light fixture I found tucked well into the the console itself. It's part of the lighting harness for the console cover. Here's the finished side of the cover, aligned to its ultimate placement. The knockout would be at the bottom of the photo, but it wasn't drilled through on the covering plate. I'm thinking the tucked away light would have provided illumination for the A/C controls. But because of it's placement on the cover, the light probably would have been very distracting for the driver at night. Anyone else have some insight into this Blake befuddlement?

Great photo...even greater memories!

Spot on analysis IMHO. Avanti was a great design, but production was a big problem. So many things were rushed due to Egbert's desire to get this halo vehicle into showrooms ASAP and attract new buyers for Lark, Hawk & Champ. Classic case of woulda, coulda, shoulda.

Haven't seen this one before, but they really don't make the case that Chevy subverted Avanti production at MFG.

Light at the end of the tunnel! Jon Myer suggested I swap out the under hood brake linkage with new. The brake booster sent didn't work, but the new linkage did and now the quirky pedal response went away. It's on to bigger thing$ now.

With that beast under the hood, you wouldn't need to turn on the heater to keep warm during a midwest winter! Store it in the summer.

Bit the bullet and purchased a rebuilt brake booster and attached master cylinder from Myer's Studebaker. One thing's for certain, the replacement master cylinder is a lot shorter than the one on my '84. I'm hoping this replacement will take care of the quirky pedal response I've been experiencing. (anyone notice "quirky" has the same number of letters as A _ a _ _ i?)

Cadillac's advanced styling and the ability of GM to move buyers up from their own divisions helped drive nails into the coffin. And of course Packard's decision to purchase Studebaker (who was in much worse financial shape), didn't help matters.

Worth a shot, so I'll try both suggestions. However I wouldn't think a pressure switch and idle solenoid would cause the fuse to blow. 🙃 Thx

Beyond baffling on my '84. With the key in the IGN position (engine not running), the evaporator blower and radiator fan run when I turn on the AC. However, once the engine is started the 30a fuse blows after approx 4-5 seconds. All electrical connections to the Delphi compressor have been pulled. I've gone thru at least eight new fuses trying to figure out what's going on. Any suggestions? (the thermostatically controlled electric radiator fan is fused separately and functions properly)

Beyond baffling on my '84. With the key in the IGN position (engine not running), the evaporator blower and radiator fan run when I turn on the AC. However, once the engine is started the 30a fuse blows after approx 4-5 seconds. All electrical connections to the Delphi compressor have been pulled. I've gone thru at least eight new fuses trying to figure out what's going on. Any suggestions? (the thermostatically controlled electric radiator fan is fused separately and functions properly)

Many thanks for all the info. Good luck on the flex hose...it's just one of things that makes you wonder what they were thinking! 🤬

Any idea what brand or numbers stamped on your master cylinder? I see your flex hose to the air cleaner is off and chewed up. They're a bear to reinstall 'cause the round hose does not like being made into an oval.

My '84 has paid a visit or two to Hackville. I have reason to believe the original master cylinder was replaced with the one pictured. The outfit that rebuilt my booster pump thinks it's off a Corvette and may not be simpatico with the booster. Anyone know what Mr Blake put on his Avantis at the South Bend plant?

Bottom line - it's your money, so do what the heart desires. A 383 is a good alternative to stock, with probably fewer issues than the LS. But if you've had all the fun the car can provide...sell it with the stock engine and move on.

I've got an '84 and looks like the same set up as yours. The thin vacuum line is ported off the rear of the carb and heads toward the passenger side firewall where it enters a wiring loom. It then exits the loom and is connected to the sensor (shown in your photo). There are all kinds of vacuum hoses in the engine compartment and tracing them down can be challenge. Hope this helps!

I paid approx $25 to ship it to Carson City from Phoenix via UPS (insured the booster for $200). They rebuilt and shipped it back for a grand total of $175 and a few cents. Super fast..super service..and they don't farm the work out to a third party.

These boosters don't last forever, and when it's time for a rebuild you're left wondering who'll do the job? Such was the case on my '84. Even in Phoenix there was only one outfit who said they might be able to do it...provided I pull the booster and take it to their counter (wouldn't look at photos). So it was time for Plan B. Try Power Brake Exchange in Carson City NV if you're looking for a booster rebuild at a fair price that doesn't take weeks! They turn 'em in one business day, a little longer if you want powder coating. Excellent customer service and support. They even adjusted the push rod to the correct length to work with my master cylinder. 775-297-4795. As Willie would say...."On the road again", and with brakes that stop the way Mr Blake built the car!

Great job! And those repurposed Home Depot paint stirrers keep the velcro in line. Your window glass should glide up and down like new.

Unfortunately there's no outside mirror control in the console. If you look at the door panel, you'll see a cut out and mounting ring for the switch. There's also a cut out for the power door lock switch (blue tape used to identify both). Another owner also removed the power door locks switches. The wiring and actuators are there, but without a switch, no can use. Pure hackery as evidenced by the original equipment list posted above. Many thanks to the Avanti Nation for answering my questions 🙌

The outside mirrors on my newly purchased '84 have wiring, but no switch to control them? Evidence suggest the car may have had the feature, but something happened.

All good suggestions. Many thanks to the Avanti Nation for assistance. Of the two different styles of back up lights, my preference is the 1985 license plate huggers. If I can't find them (or the price is too crazy) I'll probably go with Plan B - aftermarket. I need the dough to buy fuel for my baby!

1984/1985 ...two different locations under the rear bumper for back up lights. Nostalgic is out and sez no more will be made. Any assistance from the Avanti Nation appreciated!