J Boyle
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Posts posted by J Boyle
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A couple of weeks ago on the SDC Forum they were discussing how some Chevy fans were occasionally rude to Studebaker owners (and other non-GM drivers) at car shows.
Someone mentioned that he thought some Avanti owners looked down their noses at other Studebakers.
I responded:
I don't know if they (the "snobs" the SDC member seems to have met) look down on Studes, but rather are just Avanti-centric. From observation and reading the Avanti magazine, my guess is that manyof those owners are just into Avantis...their interest in old cars begins and ends with that car.
Some are just into the IIs, post-84s or post-2000 models usually depending on what they own. Some aren't the sterotypical "old car guys/girls" but like the Avanti because of its style and Loewy connection.
For people with narrow interests, it's not hard to imagine that they're not into bulletnoses and Larks....despite the Avanti's obvious relation to the latter.
I think the majority of those people just belong to the AOAI and not the SDC. Yes, SDC welcomes their cars at its meets but it wouldn't hurt to have SDC members reach out to those folks who aren't the sterotypical old car owners/restorers/self mechanics.
Remember, "snobbery" can go both ways, just because a person shows up who doesn't know a carb from a hog trough, doesn't make him/her any less of a Stude Avanti/Avanti fan.
What do you think? Are some of us "snobs"?
I haven't met any, but I do really believe what I said about some of us being Avanti-centric.
If you attend a SDC event, reach out to the other Studebaker owners....
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Welcome and congratulations!
Hope you have fun with the car.
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I love the white and orange scheme (like the dealer postcard)...and the gold/orange sounds interesting...
but...Turquoise and orange? .
Really?
Anyone have photos of such a beast?
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Sadly, with nice Avantis going for $15K, it doesn't really pay to restore a really bad one...unless you do all or at least most...of the work yourself.
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When I had my Avanti delivered in an enclosed car trailer it was February. The night before the delivery the transport spent the night in Wyoming or Montana.
The poor car was cold-soaked and took forever to start.
Not the transport firm's fault...but it was a bit embarassing for that to be my wife's first impresssion of the new old car.
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I've received quotes from Hagarty 2-3 times, always a lot higer than the rest.
I have American Collectors and and it's very reasonable.
I've never had a claim (Thankfully) so I can't rate their claim service. But so far, so good.
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....I will know how to start my (new) Avanti.
Prayer helps too.
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My car came with its build sheet and the 3 page yellow assembly line check sheet. The former came from the SNM and the latter came from Nostalgic, I think.
Through the SNM I just recceived a "Shippers" document, it looks like a build sheet and lists all the options, along with the dealer, banker, weight and when it was shipped. I also got a copy of a card listing the original owner's name and address. Using Google and Bing maps, I looked up the address and found it was in a fancy Baltimore suburb, just the place you'd expect to find a new Avanti in 1963.
It confirmed the name on the console plate was indeed its first owner. Pretty neat.
I can't think of another car where you can find out so much of its history at so little cost.
I understand build sheets for Chevys are not available and having Glovier (sp?) or Marti do the research for your MOPAR or Fords can be expensive.
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Probably worried about cooling, like the guy that put a grille from the rear deck of an old Porsche 356 on a Avanti.
Hint..guys, if you're having overheating issues, just clean out your radiator!
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Aa usual, Gunslinger has the correct details.
Over the years various Avanti owners have tried to pass off modifications as being factory original transition cars.
There is a tech letter in the latest Avanti magaizine (#157) and in his reply, Jon Myers sets the record straight.
Recently there was a guy on the internet trying to sell his car as a "1962" Avanti (no such thing) but his serial number indicated it was built late in the the 63 model year.
It always pays to do your homework so you don't get stuck with a lot of neat stories but no proof.
I've always found this chart handy.
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The 3EE battery was the easiest part of the restoration.
Any big tire/battery store, especially in rural areas, will have them. I bought mine for $80 from Les Schwab, a big chain here in the northwest.
Slap a Studebaker battery decal on it and you're good to go and it looks stock.
I have Cooper Trendsetter SE 205/75R15 tires with the correct narrow white wall. Again, about $80 each.
No need to buy expensive retro items.
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That car has about as much to do with the Studebaker Avanti as the Avanti airplane does.
Just using the name...along with a greeting card company, stuffed toys and appliances.
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Thanks for posting. It's a great brochure, I have one I occasionally display with my car.
I love the party photo, so upscale early 60s!
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Looks like a nice unit...it's great that it's removeable. I'm not a huge fan of messing with the Avanti's looks.
I still have nightmares about the cheesey-looking aftermarket units sold in the late 80s for retrofitting to pre-85 cars.
(Remember after awhile they'd melt and droop in the rear window, and eventually the bulbs would burn out?)
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My R1 is stock and doesn't have one.
Are they needed?
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Interesting read, but after seeing a Blake Avanti compared to a Chrysler LeBaron, I might have to sell mine. LOL.
Come on, I'm sure your Chrysler is a nice car.
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Aside from the sources above, try the best custom interior shop in your area, the place where high-dollar street rod builders go.
You'd be surprised what they can get.
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The utility poles don't do much for the landscape either.
At least the Avanti looks nice.
Still a chance to see Jack Palance in a theater production, kind of cool. BTW: his co star listed on the sign, Jesse White, some of you may know him as the Maytag Repairman....
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I needed one and bought one from Lionel Stone before his retirement. Mine had been repaired and was just too bad to use (though it still worked).
I might suggest Jon Myers.
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About the trunk latch...another thing to look at.
I had to replace my trunk release cable but at the same time I cleaned the latch which was covered with old grease and trunk carpet fibers/dust/gunk.
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I'd try Nostalgic/Avanti parts out of Michigan.
They seem to have a good supply of interior parts like that. I bought a new (used or NOS actually) glove box door from them.
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I'd try Nostalgic/Avanti parts out of Michigan.
They seem to have a good supply of interior parts like that. I bought a new (used or NOS actually) glove box door from them.
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if I keep it... it will definitely have new tires!
Clint
For a good set of reasonably priced proper size tires with a correct narrow whitewall, I'll suggest 205/75 Cooper Trendsetter SE tires. About $80 each.
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A bit of a redesign will be in order to make a load area.
On the original Avantis (as opposed to the Firebird/Mustang-based cars) the fuel tank is between the back seat and trunk area.
I guess you could put a small fuel cell in the spare tire well....
What happened to "The Avanti" website
in Avanti Pub
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Thanks for the heads up. I've changed my favorites list.
It's a great site. I particularly like their production details and info about interior colors.