Dwight FitzSimons

The painted Lark & Hawk valve covers are more suitable for re-chroming than chrome ones: 1) The painted ones generally don't rust, so no rust pits, and 2) It is much easier to remove paint than chromium. --Dwight

The BF Goodrich Radial T/A is an excellent high performance tire. I have them on both of my '64 Avantis and am very pleased with them (and I am a big fan of handling). One car has the stock anti-roll bars, the other has the much larger anti-roll bars. As one would expect the car with large bars makes better use of the handling potential of the tires. Both cars benefit greatly from the BFG tires, though. Many muscle cars of the 1960s used 15" tires, and it appears that half of the restored ones I see or read about have BFG Radial T/A tires on them. So, there is still a sizeable market for 15" BFG Radial T/A tires. --Dwight

I'm not sure this pic will help much because that is a cluttered area to photograph. Also, this pump may be a Mopar Super Pump. --Dwight

I meant "smart man" because he listened to his wife. Anyone may like either placement he wishes, but it is still a PITA to adjust mirrors on the fenders, and they are less effective on the fenders because they are effectively much smaller. Vision to the rear is poor on an Avanti and we need all the help we can get. I side with safety. --Dwight

One thought: If your engine quits while you are in motion on the highway you won't be able to re-start the engine until you stop. For me it would be mandatory to be able to start the engine while in neutral. --Dwight

I'm no expert, but have owned several Avantis since the late 1960s. That looks like some type of radiator support, but not for an Avanti. I have had Avanti radiators and engines out and don't recognize your piece of metal. --Dwight

I agree, Nels. From what I have heard modern foam is better than the original stuff and is out of sight anyway. When I have my Avanti's seats reupholstered I'll have new foam made. Modern foam might be more comfortable too. I have a set of NOS Claret Red bucket seat covers to have installed. --Dwight

Why, Nelson ! That wouldn't be original !!! --Dwight

Hanlon Plating in Richmond, VA seems to still be in business. I have had plating done there with good results. They have (or had) two levels of plating: street & show. Be aware that they grind (or did grind) the old chrome off rather than de-plating it off. This will thin your metal some. --Dwight

Sure, I would be happy to help. --Dwight

The Avanti Gold is a nice shade of gold - not gaudy and not weak. It works well on an Avanti. Perhaps that is why Studebaker's ad agency chose it for their brochure car. I have always wondered, though, why the carpets on a gold/elk car were solid black, rather than salt & pepper like most of the other 1963 exterior/interior color combinations.. I like the salt & pepper carpets. --Dwight

Number 2: There is a divider in the inlet port on the Lark/Hawk bonnet. --Dwight

For one, the Lark/Hawk bonnet outlet is bent (angle of outlet to center of base of bonnet). --Dwight

"100% correct wheels" -- Who's going to tell him that the "webs" in his wheels are too thick? --Dwight

But the R1 engine doesn't have this. --Dwight

Pretty color, pretty car. Rather than look at it, though, I'd like to drive it (or one like it)). --Dwight

So, we have a solution: buy whichever is cheaper, particularly the shipping cost. --Dwight

Granted Tom's wheels are closer to the originals on that one aspect, but the difference is minor. No one will ever mistake the repros for the originals anyway. I prefer the thicker web; they look a little bit more substantial. At any distance the difference is not noticeable. But, I'm sure that I would be happy with Tom's wheels, too. --Dwight

I have the Real Rodders wheels on my '64 Avanti and am quite happy with them. Just going by the pictures of the Tom Goesch wheels I like the looks of my RR wheels better. I haven't seen Tom's wheels in person, however. I am pretty sure that there are only two manufacturers of the repro Halibrand wheels: Real Rodders and Tom Goesch. The others are retailers. Dave Kinney at Endurance Products also manufactures the spinners. Dave is a perfectionist, and all of his products are excellent. The spinners do not come with the RR wheels. They are extra cost. The RR spinners are of excellent quality. --Dwight

I assume you have a 259 or 289 engine, not an R1 or R2? Rotate the engine so the eccentric that drives the fuel pump is at its "low point." That is, so the lobe is opposite to where it pushes the pump arm down. Then, you'll be able to install the pump. A lot of people have had trouble with the Airtex fuel pumps sold in the FLAPS stores, to the point where they consider them to be unusable. An original Carter pump, rebuilt, is a better choice, OR a new pump from one of our vendors, such as Dave Thibeault or Phil Harris (high performance specialists), or SI or Stephen Allen's.

The only P.S. reservoir lids (covers) that I have seen on Studebakers that are not stock are Ford lids. They have a dipstick to check the P.S. fluid. The dipstick has a round cap. Is this what you mean? If the seal on the cap is deteriorated it can leak fluid out onto the P.S. pump lid. --Dwight

I am looking forward to seeing pix of it. --Dwight

Group 51 battery dimensions (LWH): 9.375 x 5.06 x 8.75" (weight: 28 lbs) Group 3EE battery dimensions: 19.25 x 4.25 x 9" (weight: 42 lbs) I suspect that a modern group 51 battery would be a better choice than a 3EE considering all factors. I will soon be doing the same battery swap on a '63 Avanti. --Dwight

I believe the Honda battery number is 51. The dimensions should be available online. --Dwight

I have a 1963 Avanti Color & Upholstery Selector book. According to it Avanti Gray was available with upholstery combinations 6, 7, 8, 9. 6 = black, 7 = red, 8 = orange, 9 = turquoise. A cool color (gray) and a warm color (orange) certainly do go together. Looks good to me!