Dwight FitzSimons

The car has no windshield wipers. --Dwight

They appear to be, although after all these years who knows what some precious owner did to them. Actually, I have two '64 Avantis and one loose antenna. The two Avantis' antennas are 42" and 48". The loose antenna is 52" long. --Dwight

I have two Avantis. One's antenna is 42" extended, the other is 52" long. --Dwight

There's nothing wrong with a 3EE battery, I just prefer a smaller battery (I use a size 25 in my '64). Modern technology has given us stronger, more reliable batteries in a smaller package, and I generally go with modern technology. Studebaker did, in '64, changing to a size 24. A size 24 is a car battery, a 3EE is a commercial battery. "Diehard" is just a marketing label. I don't know who makes their batteries for them. Actually, mfg has (I think) the ultimate solution: a gutted 3EE in the engine compartment and a size 24 in the trunk. Several of our SDC Forum experts have advocated relocating the battery to the trunk. To those who keep their '63 Avantis original, I say more power to them. I do like seeing all-original Studes at shows, with bias-ply tires, etc. I'm just not into 3EE batteries and bias-ply tires. --Dwight

I would think that's an even better option. I just don't want to go to that extent for a car that I'm going to sell. --Dwight

Thanks, it's good to have some confirmation that I'm on the right track. Actually, I'm just going to copy the owner of the black '63 Avanti in the pic. I have exchanged the 51 for a 51R and will start working on the simple bracketry needed and will have new cables made. --Dwight

I recently bought a group 51 battery for a '63 Avanti, but now wonder if I should have gotten a 51R (same except terminals reversed). I need to decide while I still have time to exchange it. The 51/51R battery is smaller and much lighter, is of modern technology, costs less, and lasts longer. What's not to like about a 51/51R (unless you're dedicated to originality)? The pic below shows a 51R installed in a '63 Avanti. Everything on this car looks well done, so I figure he knew what he is doing. He has re-positioned both hold-down posts and has made a bracket to move the fender-side post forward. It looks like these changes have made using a 51R battery a better choice than a 51, although it looks like either could be used. The 3EE battery is (LxWxH, inches) 19.3125 x 4.375 x 8.875 The 51/51R battery is ........................9.374 x 5.0624 x 8.8125 The 51/51R is ~0.7" wider -- should be no problem The 51/51R is ~ 0.75" lower in height -- no problem Comments? --Dwight

Walker makes a "Quiet flow" muffler that is supposed to flow better than a stock muffler, but be much quieter than a glass pack. They are available in different sizes, from the usual suspects. I haven't tried them yet, but plan to. --Dwight

Living near the mountains is what has scared me into replacing the front brakes on my all original '64 Avanti. For me, the deciding factor is the fact that one cannot stop a Bendix-Dunlop disc-brake Studebaker if one loses the booster. That can happen if the booster simply goes bad, or the engine quits, or the check valve goes bad. (If the engine quits you have 1 or 2 stops left.) Jim Turner has a new-design front disc-brake conversion kit. He now uses the caliper from late model Chrysler minivans. The cylinder size is the same as the GM calipers, so the stopping power will be the same. (The cylinder size is what determines the stopping power, not the pad size.) Hot Rods and Brakes also sells a kit for Studebakers. It also uses Ford rotors and GM calipers, but IIRC costs about $150 less than Turner's kit ($550 vs $700). Turner also sells a dual M.C. kit for Avantis. So does Dave Thibeault. The original Bendix-Dunlop disc brakes will do the job if everything in the system is perfect. Keep that in mind when making your decision. --Dwight