Rick64R2
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Posts posted by Rick64R2
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Sorry I haven’t been back - that Seattle frame does look nice. I did find an Avanti full rolling chassis with a solid frame - also much closer than Washington. The frame is in the process of being cleaned up and powder coated etc. While that is happening we are in process of pulling the drive train etc so I can send it to body/paint shop on old rolling chassis.
Had I not found the chassis I did, I would have been road tripping....
thank you all for your help!
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From what I understand the only Lark chassis that works for an Avanti is a Lark convertible. That is the chassis the Avanti was based on. It’s not completely plug and play - there are several attachment points for the Avanti body etc. that must be added. Those adapters are available what I have been told, are not difficult. If you can’t find an Avanti frame, at least you have another option.
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3 hours ago, Avanti83 said:
Just curious, if the hog troughs are good what's wrong with the frame. If it's just the bottom plate it's basically a 1/8" thick 6" wide piece of steel plate. Minor repair of the sides is also not difficult due to the design of the frame.
Removing the body from the frame is not difficult but you will need to pull out a substantial amount of the interior and the body will need to picked up as one unit. It's not like most cars that you remove the fenders, grill, doors and trunk lid, then just lift the rest off the frame. The Avanti body, minus doors and trunk lid comes off as one piece. In that, lies a danger of body cracks and damage.
Again, it's not difficult but a real pain in the arse.
That's the weird thing, hog troughs are solid. The frame is probably repairable - the bottom plates have issues as well as the back end pieces and other bits. I know John Meyer has the replacement parts already made so I wouldn't have to fab them. I am just thinking that if I have to do all that, plus it needs a little body work and definately a paint job, might as well pull the body and put a new frame under it. Assuming I can find one....................
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Have a '63 R2 4spd I am fixing up. Drivetrain is good - i have it up and running. It probably lived part of its life in the NE as there is definite rust issues with the frame and underneath, but surprisingly the hog troughs are solid. The frame definitely needs some repair but I would rather put a good solid frame under it.
Anyone know of any Avanti frames or rolling chassis available? I know a convertible Lark frame will work with a little modification but cant get firm grip on exactly what it takes. Also have heard an Avanti II frame up through around 1972 is identical and will work? Can anyone confirm what Avanti II frames are a perfect match?
Will be needing all other bits and pieces - might be interested in a parts car if frame is solid. Definitely will need new front seats etc.
Any info or leads on parts appreciated.
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Well, maybe I am a glutton for punishment, but i pulled the trigger on it. First order of business is the drivetrain. On my other Avanti's that had sat like this I just got them running to see how they would do and they ran great so i didnt dive deep in the motor. Thinking of doing a full rebuild on this one?? The others run great but there is always that little doubt in the back of my mind that something might be on the verge of giving way or that the performance might be a little better etc.
Specific to Avanti engines - whats y'alls opinion on value of full rebuild? FYI I plan to drive this one much more than the others.
I have the funds to do the drivetrain/breaks etc. now so plan to get that done ASAP, do the bare minimum to make the interior livable, and plasti-dip the exterior. Drive it like that until I get the $$ to paint it properly.....
I will keep you posted on the pain.
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Here is a link to all the pictures:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/svts3v7gfix2538/AADmB5qMhMVfqtLbOdk8VRTfa?dl=0
I know this is a second posting - more info and hopefully catch some weekend folks attention...
Thanks again
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I am about to pull the trigger on this car after inspecting in person. I need you guys to tell me everything wrong with it and why I shouldn't buy it. Don't be nice, shred it, be brutal. I want to know every possible pitfall. I know its a serious project, but have sorted out the title issues. My pics are too big to post here, but I have over 150 pictures so if you really want to have some fun e-mail me and I will send you a link to all the pictures. rsmith bla bla ricksmith88 yada yada com.
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/studebaker/avanti/1809620.html#
Really appreciate your help.
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Been looking for a R2 with 4 Speed for a long while. Found this one and thinking seriously about grabbing it. Any advice/opinions appreciated. Supposedly came out of a collection and has been sitting in a warehouse in Arizona since early 1980's. I have experience with Avantis that have set for a long time so that doesn't scare me too bad. I am a little worried about rust - being told Hog Troughs are solid but the rusted out tube cross-member worries me.
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/studebaker/avanti/1809620.html#
Any comments/advice appreciated.
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I have a '63 that my Dad bought in the mid 1970's from a guy that was an original Studebaker dealer owner in Dodge City, KS who said he was original owner. The car is all original, but I remember my dad having discussions with judges at Studebaker Conventions concerning a re-paint. If I remember correctly the judges questioned the paint being original because they saw some evidence of a re-paint. I remember him telling them that the car was sold new with the existing paint, but that the seller told him some amount of touch up or repaint was done - either by the dealer or shipped back to Studebaker for it. I think it had to do with a flaw from the factory not any kind of damage.
My questions are 1) Were paint and/or fiberglass flaws from the factory a fairly common or at least plausible issue; and 2) In the case of a problem would it be normal for the dealer to repair it or for it to be sent back to Studebaker?
I do know that every time it came up with judges they seemed to accept his explanation as he won several first place trophies. I just wish I had paid more attention (although I was in elementary school at the time) or asked him about it before he passed away.
Any info greatly appreciated.
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I am looking at an R2 in Galion, OH and I live n Texas. Anyone near there that could take a look at it for me? Would also like yalls opinion on car and price - listed on E-Bay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331131251732?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l4878&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
The Frame/Hog Trough rust has me concerned.
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No- its an Auto. Wish it was a 4 speed. Might have to start looking for a 4 Speed R2 - should would like to have/drive one.
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The picture is my Mom in front of the car at the show.....
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Forgot to post this before the show - but thought yall might appreciate the story....
For those of you planning to go to the Houston Auto Show - I need you to do me a favor.
Stuck back in the far south east corner of the show they have a small showing of classic cars. In there you will find a white Studebaker R2 Avanti. Take a look at it, have a beverage in your hand - and drink a toast to Mr. Price T Smith.
The car belonged to my father who passed away a couple years ago at age 83. This car was one of his favorites.
He was a gear head from way back - when my folks were married he told my mom the first big purchase they were going to make was a MGA. She said no - it will be a house. So 18 months later they had a house..... And a 1958 MGA. I still have this car, in original condition with 30k on the clock. Learned to drive a manual shift in it - still drive it regularly.
As a kid he was into cars and managed to visit the Worlds Fair a couple times - this is where car manufacturers showed off their new products and concepts in those days. When my wife and I lived in Chicago he made few trips to visit - not a big fan of big cities much less one like Chicago - but made sure it was when the Chicago Auto Show was in town. When we ended up in Houston we would visit the Houston show regularly. He also loved the Texas State Fair - was an OU grad so went to (and took me) to the OU/Texas game many time over the years. There was always an auto display there and it was the first thing we would hit.
He would be flipping out right now to know that one of his cars was in the show. Not because he would want to show it off and brag - he was a very humble man and did not own the cars he had for the prestige value - but because of the uniqueness and story behind the car.
My dad was an architect and engineer and very much into modern design and the designers of that time. He was a big Frank Loyd Wright and Raymond Loewy fan. Loewy designed the Avanti for Studebaker at the time they were struggling for survival. They took it from concept to production in an incredibly short time and, if they could have produced enough to meet orders, would have probably kept Studebaker afloat for a few more years. That is why he was fan of the car - the design, the story, the innovations it had etc. He would be happy to know the car is finally gaining a little popularity and more people are learning about its story. If you are into Auto history you should read the story some time.
As I said - he did not show off his cars. Most were kept in an old warehouse and few people knew he had them. Later in his life he did not have the finances nor health to keep them up. In 1999 the annual Studebaker convention was coming to Austin. At the time he was in bad health and I thought we might loose him soon. I talked him into letting me take this car, and another Avanti (all original 31 K on the clock) and clean them up to take to the convention. I got them cleaned up and running and we hauled them to Austin - won 2 third place trophies. I almost got fired because my boss thought there was something more important going on that week. I drove back and forth from Houston to Austin several times - to satisfy my dad who was *****ing at me to get back to work. When the convention was over they went back in storage.
We had been to several Studebaker conventions as a family over the years. Usually used it as our summer vacation and drove the car to what ever city it was in. I remember going to the one in Denver in the middle of the oil crisis when there was a gasoline shortage ( don't know if many of you are old enough to remember that). There were long lines at the gas stations and some stations would only sell you a limited number of gallons - and we needed premium to run in the Avanti. He would get up early 4am ish and drive around Denver to find enough Premium to get us through the day of site seeing. On judging day we all (me mom and dad) got up early started polishing - we won a First Place trophy.
After he died this car was one of the first I started working on - it has a supercharger after all. Fun car to drive - takes forever to go anywhere though because everybody wants to stop you and talk about the car - and I mean everybody. People that know what it is want specifics, general gearheads want to know about the engine etc, people that have no Idea what it is want to know. I guess I am turning into my dad - I love telling the story to anyone that wants to know. When my dad and I would be out in it and get delayed by lookers I would get impatient and roll my eyes - my kids do the same to me...
I think it is a little Divine intervention that got the car to this show. I don't do the car show circuit much - taken it to cars and coffee and nifty fifties once each - but I do little show in Towne Lake every year. The guy in charge of the Classics exhibition at the Houston Auto Show (Charlie Van Natter) saw the Avanti there. I was away from the car getting a drink and my business partners wife was sitting with it when he came by. Luckily she is a little bit of a car buff too and knew a little bit about the car. She gave him the basics and he asked for my name and number - he told her he was part of a little invitation only car show. She was worried I would be upset she had given out my info to a stranger. That was months ago and I had forgotten about it until I got a call from him in Late November. I was worried that the car was not good enough for such a big show - although it is a very "original" car, it is not a "rotisserie restoration" concours car. The paint is from a late 70's re-paint that was only so-so and has chips and dings, all of the chrome is pitted to some degree, the engine compartment is far from show quality and many components needed to be repainted and touched up. I asked him if he had personally seen the car and remembered how rough it was. He told me he knew what condition it was in and it was fine. He said he believes it is a car that is gaining in popularity and people were asking about them - they had never had one in the show before. I agreed - knowing my dad would think it was great. I also panicked - there was no way I was putting it in the show in its current shape and there was only a couple months to work on it.
I did what I could - I really wanted the engine looking good since it is supercharged etc. I had the valve covers and breather cover re-chromed, re-painted the supercharger and fan blade, and had the wheels powder coated. Before we could pull the bumpers for re-chroming my mechanic had a death in the family and went AWOL for 10 days. When he got back he realized the wheels were the wrong color they had missed some of the chrome - barely got that fixed in time and we didn't have time to get all the black engine components off and painted. I didn't get the car back from him until the Sunday morning before Monday show move in - which meant I had missed my detail appointment. As we pulled it out to load on the trailer it blew the hose to the oil pressure gauge and one of the exhaust pipes came loose. Back on the rack to tack weld the exhaust which scared me - the car is fiberglass and many have been damaged getting exhaust work done. We could not get the fitting needed for the oil pressure line so we capped it the best we could - I was sweating it out pulling it into the show area (would have been a tad embarrassing to dump break fluid all over the carpet and run into someones car). My wife and I started working on the car noon Sunday and worked late that night and a couple hours Monday. Wife spent hours with steel wool and black touch up paint hitting all of the engine components. I went after all of the other chrome with 0000 steel wool and polish. Did the interior, windows, and a final coat of speed shine after we had it in place at the show. It ended up looking better than I expected - just don't look too close.
I know that this is a long post, but I felt like writing the story and thought this was as good a place as any, that some of you could relate and might appreciate it. I hope my dad knew that during all of the times we messed with the cars over years, when I was acting like a typical teenage ass complaining and rolling my eyes, I was paying attention and did enjoy it.
Here's to you Price T.
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Which car show? My White/Orange R2 was in the Houston Auto Show last month - but it is an Auto (wish it was a 4 speed). I have a similar story on my car - Belonged to my Dad who passed away 3 years ago and it spent 20 years in a warehouse. Luckily (I guess) it was up around Amarillo (Pampa) so it was dry - no mold and no rust. He was 2nd owner - purchased it in the mid 70's. It is original except for a repaint and some interior work that was done just before he got it.
We used to go to the Studebaker conventions and I remember driving this Avanti to Denver in the middle of the oil crisis - when there was a shortage. Dan would get up every morning at 4am and go searching for gas - needed "premium" - and stations would only sell XX gallons per customer - and the Avanti does not have a very big tank. He would find enough to get us through our day of site-seeing and off we would go. Won a third place at that convention and made it home.
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My '63 R2 just got requested for the Houston Auto show - they have an exhibition of a few classics at the show by invitation only - and it needs a little work. Tough part is the show is late January so I better get busy.
The car is original with a late 1970's restoration. The main thing I want to do is get the engine looking good and looking as stock as possible.
Where can I find some realy good detail photos of what the engine bay is supposed to look like as original?
Stuff I know I need to do: paint components - supercharger etc (what is paint code or color for blower), battery cables look aftermarket and I need to figure out what they looked like and how they were routed, under hood decals, wiring look and routing. Just want engine compartment to look stock.
Much of the chrome on the car has pits - bumpers, trim rings, mirrors etc. am I better off buying new or re-chroming what I have?
Wheels - rims are scratched up and hubcaps faded. Assume best bet is to get wheels powder coated - what is original color/color code for them? They look cream now. For hubcaps - repaint or get new?
Car is white with orange interior.
Any advice appreciated. I am in Houston so any chrome shop recommendations appreciated.
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My '63 R2 just got requested for the Houston Auto show - they have an exhibition of a few classics at the show by invitation only - and it needs a little work. Tough part is the show is late January so I better get busy.
The car is original with a late 1970's restoration. The main thing I want to do is get the engine looking good and looking as stock as possible.
Where can I find some realy good detail photos of what the engine bay is supposed to look like as original?
Stuff I know I need to do: paint components - supercharger etc (what is paint code or color for blower), battery cables look aftermarket and I need to figure out what they looked like and how they were routed, under hood decals, wiring look and routing. Just want engine compartment to look stock.
Much of the chrome on the car has pits - bumpers, trim rings, mirrors etc. am I better off buying new or re-chroming what I have?
Wheels - rims are scratched up and hubcaps faded. Assume best bet is to get wheels powder coated - what is original color/color code for them? They look cream now. For hubcaps - repaint or get new?
Car is white with orange interior.
Any advice appreciated. I am in Houston so any chrome shop recommendations appreciated.
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I have the parts manual and exploded view. All parts seem to be there - just not sure what finished product on the engine should look like. There is definitely something "mechanical" in the linkage that is sticking or not moving smoothly. I can not hold a steady speed - I get to a speed and hold the accelerator at that spot but the engine gradually slows. When you apply additional pressure to the accelerator pedal it does not move (there is resistance), then it feels like it breaks free and the throttle moves a lot and the engine lurches like you just stomped on it. Feels "mechanical" and not fuel delivery related.
The linkage looks like some kind of Rube Goldberg device with lots of room for play and slop. Does it need to be lubricated in certain spots? Again - any pictures would be appreciated.
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Does anyone have pictures of the throttle linkage on an R2 Avanti? Mine will not operate smoothly and looks like it has been "modified" by someone who had no idea what they were doing. The linkage seems to stick - it is impossible to keep a steady speed. Any help appreciated.
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Just pulled a '64 R2 out of storage and working with my 15 year old son to bring it back to life. It was stored for 9-10 years in a warehouse in Houston, no fuel stabilizer etc. Basically not touched for years. I would assume someone has done a thread on everything that needs to be done to get it back to life..... Any advice would be appreciated.
I have a good idea of the basics. Already pulled the gas tank and having it cleaned and sealed. Cleaning the fuel lines etc and replacing the fuel pump. I have never attempted a carb rebuild - wondering if that is something I can pull off.
Not sure what all the break system will need.
Have some mold/mildew in the car. Any advice on getting rid of that? I have cleaned some of it - but it seems to come right back, is sticky...
Thanks for the help.
'63 Frame Repair or Replacement?
in 1963-64 Avanti
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That's why I have a connection to the Avanti - same vintage.........