Avanti Door locks Video on Youtube

[Zedman]

Browsing Youtube today, I found an interesting instructional video on how the Avanti Door lock system works. It is worthy of a look.

 

[mfg]

Thank you… Good info!

[brad]

Often the "new" door strikers are a tad off in the teeth underneath, and dot engage the latch pawl correctly. It's often I have had to rotory file them to fit properly. Also if using old parts, the striker can get a notch worn into where it rubs on the lock interlock at the back of the latch, and you wont be able to lock the doors because the lever does not get depressed fully when the door is shut. You can remedy this by drilling a small hole, and installing a machine screw so it protrudes just enough to work the interlock. Then your doors will lock.

[Ron Dame]

As an aside, why did Avanti Motors switch from having a lock in the handle to a separate lock cylinder? It's ugly and you have the filler plate where the cylinders used to be.

[Gunslinger]

While I could be wrong on both counts...during the mid-'70s a lot was going on with Avanti Motors...the change in door locks could have been related to complying with federal safety standards or running out of original Studebaker parts and the need to substitute something different at the least cost.  The death of Nate Altman in 1976 probably had an effect in decision making as well.  

[AG-R3]

On 8/2/2025 at 6:50 AM, Gunslinger said:

While I could be wrong on both counts...during the mid-'70s a lot was going on with Avanti Motors...the change in door locks could have been related to complying with federal safety standards or running out of original Studebaker parts and the need to substitute something different at the least cost.  The death of Nate Altman in 1976 probably had an effect in decision making as well.  

Wasn't it about that same time, they installed a safety (crash)  bar at the mid door level almost in line with the new lock ?