Dwight FitzSimons

Payment is confirmed. I have found a double-wall, corrugated-cardboard box the right size for the booster. It is packed (& padded) in the box. I have typed up a letter to SI telling them that the booster is yours and that it is a core for rebuilding or trade on a rebuilt one. The letter will be in the box. I'll mail the booster to SI tomorrow (Tuesday). If you can think of anything I have missed let me know. --Dwight

Yes, Caveat Emptor; that's why I brought up the issue. --Dwight

Hi, Paul, If you want I'll go ahead and mail the booster to Studebaker International, along with a note so they will know what to do with it. The price (to me) will be $95.70, including shipping. In the meantime we'll figure out how to get the money to me. One way: A check in US funds mailed to me would be fine. --Dwight

Not to go off topic, but this relates to NOS rubber too: One of our vendors in Michign is selling NOS steering "rag" joints for Avantis, reasoning that "you don't want to lose your steering; that would be very dangerous." True, it would be very dangerous if my rag joint suddenly broke. But, the rag joint I received from him (for $175 !) looks exactly like the one in my previously neglected '63 Avanti project car. That is, the rag joint in my Avanti shows no sign of deterioration. So, why replace it ? --Dwight

Hi, Paul, I have received a notice from my internet service provider that the email I sent you "has been delayed", whatever that means. So, I'll post it here. The booster weighs almost 10 pounds, so I'll figure 12 pounds, including the box & wrapping. Shipping to S.I., 630 South Noble Street • Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 comes to $20.70 by US Postal Service. I haven't checked UPS or FedEx, but they can't be much cheaper. Attached are pix of the booster. BTW, what is that fuel pump I see in your pix? --Dwight

Hi again, I have eyeballed your brackets relative to mine on the booster I have that still has its original bracketry. This one probably came off one of the '70 Avantis I parted out years ago. I can't see any difference between yours and mine. You also appear to have all of the bracketry needed. If you want a check valve this is the one I bought on ebay earlier this year for my nice '64 Avanti. --Dwight

Hi, Paul, My P.B. booster has the following measurements: On back (bolts to firewall bracket): 94mm CtoC horizontally, both top & bottom On back (bolts to firewall bracket): 89mm CtoC vertically, both sides So, the rear bolt pattern is a perfect rectangle, with 90 deg. corners. On front (attaches to M.C.): 82.5mm CtoC horizontally, both top & bottom On front (attaches to M.C.): 45mm CtoC vertically, both sides The front bolt pattern is also a perfect rectangle, with 90 deg corners. Hopefully, this isn't clear as mud. Let me know if it is. Also, you may need a new check valve. The one I bought is on ebay and is made for Studebaker's Bendix P.B. booster by Fusick. $28.50 + shpg. Regards, --Dwight

3) 1949 Commander

I've always thought Avantis look better without a grille. But, to protect the radiator, some kind of near-invisible grille is needed. It should be flat black, of low restriction, and just in front of the radiator. I'll have to fashion one for my '63 project Avanti, which came to me without one. -- Dwight

I've never heard of not bench bleeding a M.C., and, although I'm not an expert, I've done my own brakes for 50 years. --Dwight

I'm not a buyer, but they certainly are pretty. --Dwight

Yes, if you're selling. --Dwight

You might try Myer's Studebaker in Ohio. Jon & MIke Myer have parted out many Avantis. --Dwight

I assume that your Avanti II has the same Bendix power steering system as the original Studebaker Avanti. If otherwise, let me know. The OEM for that P.S. system is Bendix Corp, then (maybe now also) in South Bend, IN. Ford also used the Bendix system, altho the parts don't necessarily interchange. AFAIK, the only rebuilder of these systems is the Lares Corp in MN. I have to get two of these rebuilt myself. For my '63 Avanti their webpage is: https://www.larescorp.com/select/Studebaker/Avanti/1963/4.7L 289CID V8/ I believe that they need your core to rebuild. --Dwight

Yes, there is. Years ago some Avanti owners swapped out their original seats for something else. Most people today try to return their cars to original. --Dwight

Holy cow; what an impressive Avanti II !

Hi, Paul, The guys at S-A are world-class in terms of knowledge of parts, so they probably sent you everything that you need (minus the booster itself). I'll hang onto the booster. Just let me know what do do next. I'll dig around & see if I have an original Carter R1 fuel pump (core). (BTW, Matt Burnette at S-A rebuilds fuel pumps.) --Dwight

Hi, Paul, That looks like an excellent start toward a nice Avanti. I have an original Avanti booster in hand. Because your car had an incorrect booster it may be missing brackets, etc. Can you photograph the booster & brackets that you have? In the meantime I'll photograph mine and we'll compare notes. --Dwight

Hi, Paul, Did you find a booster? I may have one; not sure at this point. I don't know if there are any rebuilders in Nederland or Europe, but there are in the U.S. Stephen-Allen's in Florida and Studebaker International in Indiana (& probably others) sell them, but require a rebuildable core in hand before they will ship a rebuilt booster. I bought a rebuilt one from S-A and it works well and looks good. If I, or someone else, come up with a core, I assume that either SI or S-A will ship to you. The rest is obvious. I'll let you know if I find one here. --Dwight

DobbM, your idea is sound. I suspect that the electro-mechanical clocks in our Studebakers would last longer if always powered up. There are small 12-volt rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries on the market--just search. --Dwight

You would have static on your AM radio.

Well I'll be darned! But not surprised. The all-black carpet was available in '63 only with a Fawn & Elk interior AND with either a Gold or Red exterior. So, probably not very many cars.

Yes, that's curious. Maybe there will be just the two of us there.

Let's not get into this kind of rhetoric. As far as the term "salt & pepper" carpet is concerned I will note that a true salt & pepper carpet would have to be black with white speckles. Fawn (light tan) looks nothing like salt. AFAIK Studebaker never used the term salt & pepper. So, it is a term made up by Studebaker fans. Therefore, no one person can define the term's meaning. The meaning is what the majority of Studebaker people say it is. Ok, so let's vote. --Dwight

Production variances is one thing that makes Avantis so interesting. Especially interesting are the "round-headlight '64 Avantis," with interior variations practically from car to car. --Dwight