okc63avanti
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Posts posted by okc63avanti
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My local pro Interior shop gave me the following rough estimate to redo the 78 Avanti II ( with a sun roof) from white vinyl to black vinyl.
$4,200 OUCH !!!! These guys do outstanding work and charge accord.
I will order new Black carpet from SI and drop off.
I will order two new front Black Vinyl seats ( Procar) from Jegs ( about $350 per seat) and have deliveredd to shop. My front Camaro seats will be junked.
They will redo all inter in Black vinyl and existing Back seats. The dash will be resprayed to Black. New rubber installed around Sun Roof ( I already ordered from Nostalgic - $ 95 ).
Before you junk your Camaro seats do you have a picture of them, and what is their condition. I may be interested in them because if they are Camaro seats from a particular year span I think re-upholstered they would make a nice match with original interior but with higher back and neck protection.
If you can email me or post some pictures,
Thanks,
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I installed 2001 Trans Am seats in my '81. I am 6'2" and 260 pounds (all muscle! Ha!). I wanted plenty of legroom, so, after a long afternoon of trying, retrying, checking fore/aft with the power seat, height, side to side to just clear the storage box, seat belt mounting, etc. etc. I got it right for me.
I re-did the process with the passenger seat, and if I recall I repositioned the side to side a little further away from center for better elbow room. The drivers side was more towards the center of the car due to lining up with the center of the steering column.
I carefully drilled new holes in the floor, and using some steel plate, made a sandwich deal for the mounts. No vibration, and I believe they are safely mounted, due to the steel plate sandwich technique.
Paul
Thanks Paul,
Any pictures ?
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Guys,
Since I plan on driving my Avanti when her remake is finished, I was thinking a 3rd brake light would be a good idea. The roads are full of idiots today who not only use their cell phones but even text message while driving.
One idea I had was buying a 12" Led light strip and mount it to a piece of aluminum and mount it just above the license plate area. Although this would improve my brake lighting it is kind of low and the whole idea is to have a 3rd brake light at eye level.
Another idea I'm thinking about is inside the rear window mounted along the bottom lip of the window or along the top lip using a thin led light strip or tape. I just don't like the black plastic rectangles that are 3" wide or the dorky looking pedestal mounted ones. You can buy a 3rd light circuit to tie to the rear tail lights so that it can discern braking vs. just tail lights.
Has anyone seen something like I'm talking about that is non-obtrusive and blends end with the car where you almost have to know its there to see it. Or if any of you have come up with something that is decent looking please share your post and pictures if available.
Thanks,
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Is the car going to be white again?
Just curious what the turnaround time estimate is? It took me 8 years to get mine on the road without and engine rehuild I'm wondering how long it takes the pros.
ErnieR
I dropped the car off at the end of February 2009 and the expected delivery data is May 2010.
The body is primed and ready for paint. Since this car is getting performance, safety and comfort upgrades I'm not worried about total originally. The exterior will be painted a current Dodge/Chrysler color called "Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat" Interior will be redone probably in a fawn/elk combination. Michael has finished the work on the heads and will start engine reassembly soon. The body will come of the frame in another month or so and then chassis sent out for sandblasting and powder coating. This car is being converted from an R1, automatic with AC to a Supercharged R2+ with AC and Tremec TKO 5 speed.
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To check out the progress on my Avanti by Mike Myer check out the following link.
http://www.myersstudebaker.com/john_graham_avanti.htm
The old collision damage to right front was hidden by old paint, it has been repaired. The next problem was badly rusted windshield frame which was repaired by cutting out bad sections and tack welding in new metal and then coating with anti-corrosion primer. The body is now primed and ready for paint. Mike just finished porting the heads and will work on completing the engine rebuild. Removing the body from the frame is next, then the frame will be stripped for sand blasting and powder coating.
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Going through some old photographs I found a few pictures taken on August 14, 1976 my 20th birthday. My family and I were in Colorado on vacation and after seeing a billboard advertising the New Avanti II, I talked my Dad into driving to the dealer to see their cars, after all it was my birthday. I'm not sure what an Avanti II listed for in 1976 but it was more $$$ than my Dad ever paid for any of our new Dodge or Chrysler cars.
This first picture is me standing by a new Avanti (window stickers visible) in front of Beaucond Motors. This was 33 years ago and about 80 to 90 lbs ago as well.
Here's a profile shot of the Avanti, the exit sign off freeway says Academy Blvd. Beaucond motors was next to Bob's camper sales, I have no idea if any of this is still there after 33 years.
If there is someone out there who lives or lived in the Colorado Springs area and bought an Avanti II in 1976 or early 1977 that was this same color from this dealer it would be interesting to know if the car survives.
Finally a photo of a Studebaker GT Hawk at the dealer (I don't remember what year or if it was for sale). Maybe someone out there knows about this car as well.
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Guys ... thanks for all of your input.
I had a call back from ProCar salesman and the "Rally and Lumbar Elite" seats run about $280 uncovered and $340 covered in vinyl each. Then the mounting adapters for the Avanti or $99 /each. I think that's more that I want to pay right now. If I could fine a nice set of use Avanti II high back buckets from a parted out car that would work but I'm thinking the late model Camaro seats (see below) could be found at a salvage yard for $50~$75 each then I could cover them to match the rest of my new interior. I'm thinking keeping the same pleating pattern in Camaro seats as its similar to Avanti style and then maybe having Avanti script style logo embroidered into the head rest area would look fantastic.
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Based on assumptions here are some of the possibilities, if anyone has experience with these choices please respond or contact me, thanks.
From ProCar: Rally seat & Elite Lumbar
From Corbeau: sport seat
And a 2000 Camaro seat (Late 90's to early 2000's look similar)
I appreciate everyone's feed back ... thanks, John
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The adapters they list should work on any Avanti up to about 1985...the original Stude frame and body dimensions were used until then. I replaced the high back bucket seats in my '70 with Recaro's and there is plenty of clearance for them, though the "wings" of the seat back do intrude on the console cover a bit, making it a bit tough to open.
You should talk to Procar about it...make sure the seats also come with the sliders that the adapters will bolt to. If not, you'll need them as well.
Thanks again,
Anybody seen these seats, I found this in Bob Johnstone's registry for R4022 (listing from sale ad) These seats have a push button release in the side near top.
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Look at Procar seats Procar seats. They have a number of custom seats and they also list adapters for Avanti's in their catalog.
Gunslinger,
Thanks the Rally style and Elite style might be a good possibility. Overall height is around 30.5" to 32" probably 6" to 10" over original Stude seat heigh (anyone known the dimension of original Stude seat from base to top? Do you know if the adapter they sale in their catalog will work on an original Stude Avanti vs. post Stude Avanti.
If anyone has installed the ProCar seats in your Avanti please post a picture or e-mail with one.
Thanks,
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I'd like to replace my 63 original bucket seats with something that has a higher back that is safer and more comfortable. The trick is finding something that looks right instead of really out of place. If anyone had customized or modified and original Stude using a seat from anything else that is readily available and is not too expensive (i.e. $1000's for Ricardo) please post your suggestions and pics if you have some.
Thanks,
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Check out this informative website ....
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Does anyone know if there has been an Avanti magazine article with connecting an R2 blower hose and bonnet to a newer Edelbrock AFB carb?
Thanks, John
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I'm glad to here you are so excited about restoring the Avanti. My Avanti is R-2386 it is a R1 with AC, PS, PW and automatic. It was originally white with tangerine interior (orange). The orange or tangerine vinyl I don't believe is available as an exact match. My avanti is currently undergoing a frame off resto with modification by Michael Myer in Ohio. I have decided to upgrade my avanti as follows:
Converting engine to an R2 plus (0.060" overbore with hypertonic pistons, reworked R1 heads to R2 equivalent with SS valves, R3 exhaust headers, Edelbrock AFB and Mopar HEI ignition with Paxton SN-60 supercharger. We will remove factory York AC compressor and go with a R134a Sanden compressor. The automatic trans is being replaced with a Tremec TKO 5-speed. I am painting the car a none Stude color, Chrysler "Crimson Red" and then redo of dash, guages and interior. The frame will be sand blasted and powder coated and converted to 4 wheel disc brakes.
I would love to compare notes and here how your project is coming along. Good luck and I grew up with Mopar cars as well but like you, I am in love with the Avanti !!!
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HE GOT MY VOTE TOO!
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I am doing a complete frame off restoration of an R1 with AC. My frame, body and hog troughs were all in great shape and the car was a daily driver until a few years ago. The restoration is being done by one of the top Studebaker / Avanti vendors and will probably cost twice the number you mentioned in your post. Please do not scrape it or part it out, if you are not going to restore then consider putting the car up for sale so that someone else can purchase it and save it.
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Has anyone ever seen Torque-HP performance curves for an R2 Avanti? Lew, has anyone every uncovered an old historical article with this data or has anyone put there R2 Avanti on a dyno to generate the curves?
Here is an example of a really impressive performance curve for the 2009 6.2L "LS9" Supercharged Corvette engine:
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When you in Oklahoma City, give me a shout would love to meet you guys.
John Graham
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Forget the water injection..... but fuel injected, now that would be nice!
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Here's a great article in the Feb 09 "Collectible Automobile" magazine by Bob Palma....
Title " Muscling in on Detroit: High-Performance Studebakers of the Fifties and Sixties"
here's the cover shot....
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If anyone has a wrecked or junk Avanti or surplus spare parts .... there is a SDC forum user who need one (1) original Avanti Wiper arm.
Just reply and I'll past it on to him.
Thanks,
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Welcome Rick,
Here's a couple of suggestions:
Browse around Bob Johnstone's website (especially the tech pages) he has indexed his website and has archived lots of "how to" discussion, part exchanges, etc. Here's the link
http://www.studebaker-info.org/
The SDC has a Studebaker tech tips, specs and data page with many links
http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com/techtips.asp
Also if you don't already have them, order a reproduction copy of the Avanti factory shop manual and factory parts manual (available from several vendors). In addition another useful book by Stan Gundry "What the Shop Manual Won't tell You" is another good resource, here is a link to Stan's website:
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I wasn't aware that Dave Thibeault was selling a Mallory Electonic distributor, but it is possible. I thought he was selling a Mopar electronic distributor which used the original Studebaker distributor shaft.
Another person to contact would be Jon Myers at Myers Studebaker as they sell an electonic distributor as well.
Here's cut n paste from their website ....
Electronic Distributor Conversion- V8
Jon uses the Chrysler set up for the electronic conversion. It includes the rebuilt electronic unit, New cap, New rotor, Amplifier box, loom and complete instructions for installation. You will need to provide the year and model of your vehicle, and if it is an R-Series engine. conversion runs $250.00 plus shipping. If you do not send in your unit there is a $75.00 core charge until the re-buildable unit is received in the shop. Allow 4-6 weeks.
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Is that the August 2009 issue? I would not think that it is available yet.
Cow catcher bumper removal.
in 1965-83 Avanti
Posted
Jim,
Very nice car !!! Do you have a picture of the wheels on it. Also what brand, size of wheels and what tire size are you running on your car.
Thanks,