Avanti Windows!

[mfg]

Can anyone name three flaws in ‘early’ Stude Avanti power window systems which Studebaker identified and corrected later during the Avanti production run?

[Dwight FitzSimons]

I can name one: On '64s the PW wiring from the door to the door jam was protected by a steel housing.  On '63s the wiring was just wrapped in tape.

Some time in Avanti II production the inner door panel was reinforced by double fiberglass.

--Dwight

[mfg]

55 minutes ago, Dwight FitzSimons said:

I can name one: On '64s the PW wiring from the door to the door jam was protected by a steel housing.  On '63s the wiring was just wrapped in tape.

Some time in Avanti II production the inner door panel was reinforced by double fiberglass.

--Dwight

Yes!… the protective cable housing is one!

Two more …..?

[Nelson]

Door inner fiberglass panel cracking.

[mfg]

1 hour ago, Nelson said:

Door inner fiberglass panel cracking.

It sure did!!… But what was ‘added’ to help remedy this?

[Nelson]

The ones I’ve seen have doubled up on the fiberglass in the crack area.

[mfg]

1 hour ago, Nelson said:

The ones I’ve seen have doubled up on the fiberglass in the crack area.

I’ve seen fiberglass repairs reinforcing an Avanti’s inner door structure… but I always thought those repairs were done ‘in the field’ after car was sold…. I’m not really sure about that.

Anyway, I was looking for three items other than added fiberglass reinforcement, the protective wiring shield in the door hinge area being one.

Edited May 21 by mfg
Added text

[mfg]

No other thoughts here?

HINT!….. Things sure are getting hot under there!

[regnalbob]

The power window circuit breaker was moved from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment.

However, this may have been after Avanti production ended.

Also, a second window stop was added during production.

[mfg]

18 minutes ago, regnalbob said:

The power window circuit breaker was moved from the engine compartment to the passenger compartment.

However, this may have been after Avanti production ended.

Also, a second window stop was added during production.

Well, you nailed the remaining two…. Well done!

And yes .. I knew there was a service letter issued on that window circuit breaker, but I do not have it, and thought the very last Stude Avantis built may have had that switch moved at the factory?

[Dwight FitzSimons]

I have two sets of 1970 Avanti II doors, both with power windows.  Both have a nice, substantial extra layer of fiberglass glued onto the interior side of the inner door panel.  This was added to prevent fiberglass cracking.  I am fairly sure that Studebaker hadn't gotten around to making that needed repair by the time Studebaker Avanti production but don't know when Avanti Motors made that change.  As I said Avanti IIs had that improvement by 1970.

--Dwight

[mfg]

On 5/23/2026 at 2:02 AM, Dwight FitzSimons said:

I have two sets of 1970 Avanti II doors, both with power windows.  Both have a nice, substantial extra layer of fiberglass glued onto the interior side of the inner door panel.  This was added to prevent fiberglass cracking.  I am fairly sure that Studebaker hadn't gotten around to making that needed repair by the time Studebaker Avanti production but don't know when Avanti Motors made that change.  As I said Avanti IIs had that improvement by 1970.

--Dwight

That was a prudent move!… Although an Avanti’s power window motor is small, the torque it develops (through gear ratio advantage) is considerable….

Much more torque than a person would normally apply to a manual window crank!