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Ernie

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Posts posted by Ernie

  1. chassis information

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted · Edited by Ernie

    My 1989 Avanti (#488) is built on a Chevrolet Caprice chassis. The stock chassis has a 116 inch wheelbase. There was 7 inches of frame cut off to make the chassis fit the 109 inch Avanti coupe wheelbase. When Avanti went to the 4 door, they left the chassis at 116 inches.

    Also, remove the top of the air cleaner. Turn it over and see if the Chevrolet VIN is etched on the bottom of the air cleaner. My Avanti was built on this Chevrolet frame:

    1G1 BN51 E8KR 126678

    The Chevy Caprice 4-door weighs 3,825 pounds (1735 kg) per this website:

    http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=85360

    or

    http://auto.howstuffworks.com/chevrolet-caprice4.htm

    Due to all the heavy carpeting, insulation, and thick fiberglass construction, I doubt if the Avanti weights that much less than the Caprice.

    Hope this helps!

    Ernie N.

  3. Avanti Sightings

    in Avanti Pub

    Posted

    The weather was finally nice in the Chicago area, so I drove my Avanti 80 miles Sunday and Monday. Did anyone see me?

    Let's have some fun and have a site where we can post each time we see an Avanti. We can post the date, time, location, and color of the Avanti.

    Let's see what happens, OK? OK!

    Ernie N

  6. J J Caffaro's 1990

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted

    For sale on eBay:

    Up for auction today is a very rare 1990 Avanti 4 Door.

    What makes this car extra special is it was the personal vehicle of J.J. Cafaro, owner of the Avanti company. J.J. equipped his car with a 350 engine instead of the standard 305. Also, there is no moonroof. I have included a photo of his title. Check out what he charged himself for this car! The 4 door was over $50,000 for everyone else. J.J. sure was a character...

    I acquired this car last year. In that time I have completed the minor bodywork it needed, fixed the transmission, replaced the brakes, repaired a number of other issues, and completely repainted it.

    What it still needs is, the gas gauge repaired, new carpet, full interior detailing, the door handles need rechromed, and the climate control fixed. I believe the issue to be a simple resistor, but am not sure yet. The wood is in very good shape as are the leather seats.

    I am making the car available now to any bargain hunters that wish to do the work themselves. If the car does not sell, I will begin work again when things warm up and offer the car in late Spring complete for $30,000.

    I will assist in the organization of shipping the vehicle. All costs for shipping are to be paid by the buyer.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...:SS:MOTORS:1123

    Ernie N

  15. 1988 Top Radiator Hose

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted

    Does anyone have a GM or after market part number for the top radiator hose for my 88 silver anniversary Avanti? Thanks, Bob L

    Don't know about a 1988, but my 1989 Upper Radiator Hose is NAPA 7994. repeating - NAPA 7994.

    The GM dealer did not have one that fits a 1989 Coupe.

    Ernie

  16. Studebaker Headquarters Renovation

    in Avanti Pub

    Posted

    Here is the latest on the Studebaker Headquarters renovation project. This is from Channel 16, WNDU, South Bend, IN.

    Break ahead for Studebaker renovation?

    Utah developer remains confident

    Posted: 6:45 PM Nov 20, 2008

    Last Updated: 6:45 PM Nov 20, 2008

    Reporter: Mark Peterson

    Email Address: mpeterson@wndu.com

    Patience may soon pay off for a Utah developer who has been trying to renovate the former South Bend headquarters of Studebaker.

    The building sits at 635 S. Main in South Bend. It last served as the administrative headquarters for the South Bend Community Schools.

    A 14-million dollar re-do of the building was first announced in May of 2007, but the work has yet to begin.

    “We’re still in the game,” said Clark Chamberlain of the Chamberlain Group. “We were actually out there (in South Bend) with interested potential partners about three months ago.”

    Chamberlain spoke to News Center 16 today from Salt Lake City, Utah. He says he’s hopeful that a development deal can be finalized by the end of this year.

    If that happens, work on the building would likely start in 2009.

  20. Decodeing the VIN

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted

    The Chevy VIN on my 1989, was inscribed on the inside of the top of the air cleaner. (Unscrew the wing-nut, lift off the top of the air cleaner, turn it over, and there is: 1G 1BN 51 E8 KR 126 678.

    Since we are on a decoding mission - here is the breakdown.

    1 - Nation of Origin (USA)

    G - Manufacture's Symbol (General Motors - USA)

    1 - Make (Chevrolet)

    BN - Car Line/Series (Caprice Classic)

    5 - Body Type (Sedan 4D)

    1 - Restraint System (Manual Belts)

    E - Engine Symbol (5.0 V8 FI)

    8 - Check Digit

    K - Model Year (1989)

    R - Assembly Plant (Arlington, Texas)

    126678 - Sequential Production Number (starting with 100001)

    So my Avanti was the 26,677 Caprice manufactured in 1989. It was finished by The New Avanti Corporation in May of 1989.

    I went to a Chevy dealer who ran this VIN in their computer, it shows: "No warranty, no recalls, shipped to other manufacture."

    Ernie

  21. Decodeing the VIN

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted · Edited by Ernie

    Avanti never used the same standards in their VIN's that the rest of the automobile manufactures. They didn't go to the 17 digit VIN until they were forced by the government.

    But, according to NATB (National Automobile Theft Bureau) here is the breakdown of the 1988 and 1989 Avanti VIN:

    1 - Nation of Origin - "USA"

    2A - Make - Avanti Motor Corporation

    A - Series - Avanti "II"

    V - Body Type - "2 Dd Sedan"

    12 - Restraint System - "Seat Belts"

    3 - Engine Type - "305 CID-V8"

    1 - Check Digit

    J - Model Year J-1988

    1 - Assembly Plant "South Bend, Indiana"

    000000 - Sequential Production Number

    As you can tell, this information is not entirely accurate.

    The 1990 NATB books shows:

    12AAV - World Make Manufacture (Used for all Avanti Vehicles)

    4 - Body Type (1-Coupe, 2-Convertible, 4-Four Door)

    4 - Restraint System (2-Manual, 4-Automatic)

    A - Engine Type - GM V8 305 cu 5.0 Liter F.I. "A"

    4 - Check Digit

    L - Model Year (L-1990, M-1991)

    1 - Assembly Plant (1-Youngstown, OH)

    001001 - Sequential Production Number

    NOW, if we put the two of these together, YOUR Vin would be:

    12AAV - World Make Manufacture (Used for all Avanti Vehicles)

    2 - Body Type -Convertible

    2 - Restraint System -Manual

    3 - Engine Type - GM V8 305 cu 5.0 Liter F.I. "A"

    2 - Check Digit

    J - Model Year - 1989

    1 - Assembly Plant - South Bend, Indiana

    000239 - Sequential Production Number

    NATB is now called the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and in Canada it is called the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

    I hope this helps you, Mr T.

  23. Decodeing the VIN

    in 1984-91 Avanti

    Posted · Edited by Ernie

    If it helps any, here is the VIN to my 1989 Coupe, that was assembled in Youngstown, Ohio:

    12AAV - Avanti Automobile

    1 - Coupe

    2 - Manual Restraint System

    2 - 305 GM V8

    2 - Check Digit

    K - 1989

    1 - Youngstown, Ohio

    000488 - Production Number

    The AOAI membership roster lists 1987 Avanti:

    AAV0003 to AAV0234

    1988 Avanti:

    AAV0200 to AAV0377

    1989 Avanti:

    AAV0407 to AAV0530

    There are numerous exceptions to these numbers!

    Ernie

  24. 1988 Avanti Convertible

    in Avanti Pub

    Posted · Edited by Ernie

    You're convertible should be the same as my '88 coupe. Although I have never tried it - there is a small bare wire under the back left side of the car that should be the 'manual' release - just pull on it I guess.

    Bill

    My 1989 Coupe has that wire also. It is on the underside of the vehicle and behind the license plate, just hanging there.

    The serious problem though, is with the hood release. If that cable breaks or becomes bound, you cannot get the hood open without cutting it open! I had another cable hooked to the hood-release-latch, and it hangs straight down into the left-front wheel opening. I would highly recommend all owners of 1987-1991 Avanti's add this safety cable.

    Ernie

  25. finding my VIN

    in 1963-64 Avanti

    Posted

    Your car is definitely a '63. The tail light lenses reflect the year they met federal regs that pertain to them. In fact, my '70 Avanti has tail light lenses that have '62 molded into them. As long as there's no redesign of the lens or federal regs change, a manufacturer can use the same lens indefinitely. Actually, I've never seen an Avanti with the original design lenses that weren't 1962 marked. Studebaker must have made a ton of such parts as Avanti Motors used them for many years. Outside of the engine and few other items, my '70 was probably 95% left over Studebaker parts when it was made.

    My 1989, made in Youngstown, still has the "62" tail lights!

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