psdenno

SOLD. But, I still have a few more if anyone else is interested in a dealership plate frame for your Avanti or other Studebaker. The license plate frames are as new and were never used.

Message me on this forum's message system (click on my icon to start) and we can set up payment and mailing arrangements.

Yes. The frame in the picture is still available.

Start with the pulley shaft seal and then check the hose connections. Pulley shaft leaks are typical.

After doing my own repair I can appreciate the work that the restoration specialty shops apply to the task. However, I now know it's a project that can be completed by most Avanti owners if they have the time and the inclination. The cost of the rebuilding materials is about the same as a couple visits to Starbucks. The greatest cost was having the wheel professionally color matched and painted. If I had instead painted it myself with a close color match "rattle can", total cost would have been under $50. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment.

Thanks! I'll keep you posted. I'm not going to put it off for 50 years like I did with the fawn steering wheel.

Yes, the degree of difficulty will rise on the walnut wheel. However, as with every other aspect of life, Google is your friend. A search results in several "How To" links to restoring and replicating wood grain on plastic steering wheels used on the Avanti and several GM cars built in the 1960s. It just takes time and that's why the folks who restore wheels charge what they do. Materials required are inexpensive. It's the hours of labor that jacks up the cost.

Thanks, filler material is two part slow drying epoxy. Drying time: 24-48 hours for best results for shaping, grinding, and sanding. Paint is primer, base coat, and clear coat. Color matching and painting were both done by a local auto body shop. I can't weld and I can't paint. But, after a lot of research and YouTube video watching I felt I could do the rim rebuilding. All of the "grunt" work prior to painting was done in my garage. If you do it yourself, plan on many hours with a Dremel tool, power sander, mini file set, and progressively finer sand paper. I'll be working on my walnut Avanti wheel next.

Try it sometime with your Avanti. Just keep both hands on the spokes and not on the rim. I drove it that way for a while until I got the replacement later style walnut wheel. Kind of like flying an airplane. 😎

Thanks! In my case, the welding was done by a retired high school metals shop teacher who also taught welding at the local junior college. The rest of the rebuilding/filling/grinding/sanding was my DIY project. I figured I'd give it a try and couldn't ruin it more than it was when I got it.

Thank you. Unfortunately, the Walnut wheel recently came loose at the welds which prompted me to get serious about fixing the original steering wheel. The Walnut wheel will be the next project.

Avanti steering wheels are prone to breaking at the welds attaching the steering wheel spokes to the rim. When I bought my ’63 R2 50 years ago, the owner had been steering the car with just the two steering wheel spokes. The rim of the wheel had broken loose and was in the trunk. I replaced the steering wheel with the last new one Standard Surplus had - a brown fake wood colored unit used on the 1964 Avantis. My plan was to get the rim of the original fawn colored steering wheel rewelded to the spokes and somehow make it look new again. As I mentioned, that was 50 years ago. Over the years, I took my broken steering wheel to several welding shops to see about getting it fixed. No one wanted to try for fear of melting the adjacent plastic on the rim. A few months ago, I found a welder who did the job. Then, it was time to rebuild and shape several inches of the rim where plastic material had been removed to accommodate the two welds. The final step was to paint the steering wheel. Pictures of the process are below.

Sorry, no San Bernardino, only Palm Springs. Still a nice addition to an Avanti.

FOR SALE: Palm Springs Studebaker dealer style license plate frame. I picked up a few of these in the late 1970s in Riverside, CA. After almost 50 years, it’s time to clear the garage. Chrome plated metal frame with raised chrome letters and emblem. See photo above. $125 + $19.15 USPS Priority shipping. Shipped in a sturdy box. Message me with any questions. Dennis