Skip Lackie

Back up on line.

No, but what I should have said was the PCV (not EGR) started in 1962/63. I dunno what I was thinking (another old age brain fart). Thanks for correcting me. I will edit my earlier post.

Both the engine and T-10 trans in my 74 Avanti are original to the car. The engine is Chevrolet orange. Both the bell housing and trans are unpainted aluminum. I also have five (1962-1995) Chevys with their original V8s and standard (3, 4, 5, and 6-speed) transmissions. They all have painted bell housings and unpainted transmissions. I don't think GM painted their standard transmissions.

True, but that depends on the model year. [Edit: PCV] valves started in 1962 in California and nationwide in 1963. Various other systems were added in later years (usually more in Calif). Probably the worst year was 1974, when the various systems (and things like revised ignition timing) really strangled horsepower. The adoption of catalytic converters in 1975 allowed the manufacturers to remove some of that stuff -- but others (air injection pumps, etc) were added in subsequent years. There's an interesting conflict/conundrum WRT our cars: Federal law prohibits the removal of any mandated emissions equipment -- but doesn't require the manufacturers to continue to keep such stuff available. So some of us have had to completely remove emissions systems because the parts to fix it were NLA. In addition (and probably most importantly), the EPA allows the states to exempt vehicles with historic/antique license plates from emissions inspection. So if you have historic tags, you can pretty much modify your car any way you want. (That said, some states require cars with antique/historic tags to be unmodified. However, their ability to enforce such rules is pretty limited.)

Still down for me.

I stopped reading this thread a couple of weeks ago -- and woke up this morning to discover it has added 2.5 pages in a couple of days! You guys really know how to beat a subject to death.

Certainly the price of cars (or parts, etc) is a legitimate topic of discussion. And most of us have budget limits on our hobbies. But if one is dependent on the profits from the sale of a car(s), then it strikes me as less of a hobby and more of a business.

As you said, everyone's situation is different. In my whole life, I've only owned 20 vehicles -- and I still own half of them. I buy vehicles (in any condition) that I want, restore/repair/improve them -- and then keep them forever. In that circumstance, vehicle values are simply irrelevant.

Agreed/ Nicely put.

I had a problem(s) with the Quadrajet in my 74. Some of the people on a Camaro forum recommended Cliff's High Performance in Ohio. Cliff discovered that my original carb body was cracked and provided a completely rebuilt Quadrajet that fit and worked fine. I recommend him for Quadrajet parts and service. cliffshighperformance.com

Here's a random picture.

My 74 also has the hood ornament. When I bought it in the early 1990s, I was told it was specifically ordered that way from Avanti Motors. Here's an old picture of it. (Apologize for the dust on the hood!)

Not gonna debate your basic point, but should note that your statement that Avanti IIs came with Chevy 350s from about 1965 to 1985 is not really correct. The first Avanti IIs came with 327s, and the 1972-76 models came with 400s. And a lot came with 305s after that (too lazy to look up the exact years). Avanti Motors tended to buy whatever Chevy small-block V8s were available in bulk at the time. Chevy 350s were/are truly ubiquitous, but many other variants existed at one time.

Many states have converted their registration systems to standardized software that "require" certain features like the now-standard VIN format. Vehicle serial numbers that were already in the system were somehow grandfathered in by either adding leading zeros or by a software mod that permitted them to exist as is. Most of the DMV people one deals with were not even born yet when the current 17-digit VIN system started in 1981, so they simply repeat the "requirement" that all vehicles have a standard VIN. They are simply repeating the current thinking, despite the fact that virtually no vehicle built before that time had a serial number with the now-standard number of digits. You may have to escalate the battle to a DMV deputy director, or some such. A letter to your local state legislator might help, too.

I believe it started in 1973, when the 5 mph bumper law became effective. My 74 still has one, though it has been shortened so it doesn't stick out so far. I left it on because at one time I was parking the car on the street pretty frequently. I believe Avanti Motors eventually got a waiver from some of the safety and emissions standards.

As noted above, the basic design is the probably the same as used on the 65-66 Lark-types with the Chevy 283. Many of the parts might still be available. Chevy used a system on many of their 60s-70s vehicles that had a Z-bar that rode in a bushing that was bolted to the side of the block. I have a 78 El Camino with the same system. Only the Z-bar itself is different, depending on application. I can take a picture of the clutch linkage illustration in the 65-66 parts book if that would help. I might be able to get a decent picture of the linkage on my 74 Avanti (with stick), but not till next weekend. Would have to jack the car up to get a clear shot.

Thanks, you're right of course. Can no longer try to keep two things straight in my mind at the same time . . . .

Pretty sure the basic design is the same as they used on the 65-66 Lark-types with the Chevy 283. Many of the parts might still be available. Chevy used that system on many of their 60s-70s vehicles. It has a Z-bar that mounts to a bushing that is bolted to the side of the block. I have a 78 El Camino with the same system. Only the Z-bar itself is different on most cars. I can take a picture of the clutch linkage illustration in the 65-66 parts book if that would help. I might be able to get a decent picture of the linkage on my 74 Avanti, but not till next weekend.

As I noted when this video was posted on Facebook, it's interesting that despite the fact that the facts surrounding Studebaker's withdrawal from the automobile industry are very well known, people keep making videos and creating histories about the company that are full of incorrect info, rumors, and wishful thinking. There have been several very well-documented books that chronicle the history of Studebaker Corporation, with particular emphasis on the post-WWII period and the Avanti gamble. The most authoritative is "Studebaker, The Life and Death of an American Corporation" by Donald Critchlow, University of Indiana Press, 1996. Critchlow had access to the minutes of the board meetings, the financial records, the car production data, and the personal recollections of those who were there at the time -- so he was able to document every decision that the company made. As Gunslinger said above, GM had nothing to do with it.

What are your intentions for the car: (1) Nice driver with some noticeable imperfections, or (2) Fully restored trailer queen? That should tell you which way to go. Also, did you purchase the car as an investment, or just cause you wanted to have an Avanti? While some rare Avantis bring big bucks, most turn out to be a bad investment compared to some of the alternatives.