Hogtrough

Just curious if anyone here has bought and installed a Studebaker International dash pad, which is about half the price of the main competitor. I know the competitor has taken great pains to get a good fit, but how about the SI pad?

I was a bit concerned about soaked carpets/trapped water rust since the car has sat outside for two years- but looked on Google streetview and saw at that point the car had a cover. It was garaged and rarely driven before that , so is more likely suffering from the usual maladies of seized brake cylinders, stale gas, etc.

I was a classic car appraiser for years but am new to Avanti (but not to Studebaker). I have a list of things I intend to look at while looking over a '63 R1 , estate situation, has been sitting for a couple of years (not sure I will be able to drive it, may be no brakes). . Let me know what you would add to the list. (Added are what I found when actually doing the check) Wiggle tire when jacked up to check A frame bushings, king pins, steering. Everything seems tight except steering center link may have play. Check for leaks at rear trans seal and front pinion seal Both appear dry Verify engine number Somehow forgot to do this Verify serial number same as on title (frame near trans dipstick) Correct serial number Cracking at front spring pocket starting at river going at backside of front crossmember No cracking noted Rusty tubular rear crossmember No rust here Door alignment/hinge issues. Window operation Windows operate well. Driver door shuts like new. Passenger door needs slight adjustment Hood hinge cracks None noted Inspect hog troughs No rust through, appear solid Check frame rails, especially just in front of rear axle Frame rails good Gas tank condition Not under car as usual, unable to check Start and run engine, check for unusual noises, smoke. Check trans goes into Drive and Reverse Unable to start engine. No power making it from battery to ignition switch

Old thread, I know...but just wondered how difficult it is to "gut" the battery? Any conventional Optima or other batteries that might fit inside it?