Try Again Avanti!

[mfg]

Studebaker originally used a wood grained applique called......?...... for the dash & console surfaces of their '64 Avantis.

This failed product was manufactured  by.......?........

[mfg]

This is a fairly easy one.......At least the first blank is!

[studegary]

I believe that the material was Tenite.

EDIT: Eastman Chemical Company 

Edited September 19, 2017 by studegary

[mfg]

10 hours ago, studegary said:

I believe that the material was Tenite.

EDIT: Eastman Chemical Company 

Correct on both points.....WELL DONE!

[regnalbob]

Tenite is a plastic and not a wood grain applique. The wood grain steering wheels are made from Tenite.

Only Ni-Doc was used for the wood grain accent panels.

The original that failed was a paste on and replaced by a laminated version.

[mfg]

4 hours ago, Regnalbob said:

Tenite is a plastic and not a wood grain applique. The wood grain steering wheels are made from Tenite.

Only Ni-Doc was used for the wood grain accent panels.

The original that failed was a paste on and replaced by a laminated version.

John Hull & Gary Johnson co-wrote an interesting article on this subject which was published in Avanti Magazine # 171.

You may want to look over that article to garner more information!

[regnalbob]

39 minutes ago, mfg said:

John Hull & Gary Johnson co-wrote an interesting article on this subject which was published in Avanti Magazine # 171.

You may want to look over that article to garner more information!

You may want to read The Lamberti Papers and garner the correct information.

[mfg]

2 minutes ago, Regnalbob said:

You may want to read The Lamberti Papers and garner the correct information.

"Correct"?......I guess it boils down to whom you want to believe....however, I like to keep an open mind on these matters!

[regnalbob]

For those not familiar with the Lamberti Papers here is the discussion of the Di-Noc problem and you can decide for yourself  who you want to believe.

There is no mention of first using Tenite and replacing it with Di-Noc.

For me I will believe the Studebaker Executives.

 

The Lamberti Papers

Minutes of June 24, 1963 meeting of Studebaker department heads.

STAFF MEETING – June 24, 1963 Dr. Lamberti was absent this meeting. Mr. Minkel, Acting Chairman

(Mr. Egbert was present for a portion of the meeting)

ENGINEERING

1. Di-Noc

Mr. Minkel showed some samples of parts that indicate the Di-Noc on the Avantis is shrinking and buckling. This came to the attention of Sales in connection with the 8 Avantis trimmed with Di-Noc that were shipped to Las Vegas. The temperature was 105º, and the Di-Noc began to shrink and buckle while the cars were waiting in the railroad yard. Mr. Challinor is sending a man out there this afternoon to take the Di-Noc out of the 8 cars. Mr. Minkel understood that Manufacturing knew of this problem early last week and asked that Sales be notified on this kind of thing before shipments are made so that something can be done, but Mr. Whitmer explained that Manufacturing did have problems last week, but the vendor had replaced the material and we thought it was okay. We didn’t know we didn’t have a cure; that all came up on Friday. He added that Sales would certainly have been notified if Manufacturing had known they had the problem.

Possible solutions to the problem were discussed, and the following pertinent facts were brought out:

a. For the past week, Production has been putting in the Di-Noc, so practically all units we have are trimmed in it.

b. It is possible to change back to the old way by stripping the Di-Noc off the painted surfaces and touching them up; that is, all except the vertical panel that has the word “Avanti” on it.

c. On this panel, the word “Avanti” has been ground off in preparation for the application of the Di-Noc, and consequently we have no material for these panels.

d. If we can’t get the plates with “Avanti” on them quickly, we could change them later in the field.

e. We have about 80 old wheels that could be used instead of the black ones.

f. We’re supposed to get material in today that is laminated on metal, and there will be no shrinkage on that. (This is like the material used in the Hawk.) However, material for the console will not be here for a couple of weeks because tools have to be made. Since this is a painted process, we should be able to get it as dark as we want it.

g. The Avanti line will be shut down July 2, and startup will be July 22, so the new material should be available by the startup date.

h. Sales will make up a list of cars that have been shipped out so that Service can see what can be done.

i. Mr. Egbert suggested Minnesota Mining be pushed to continue working on the Di-Noc because it would be less expensive than the metal route.

Mr. Minkel commented that it’s a 4-hour job just to replace the instrument panel, and Mr. Feuer asked about vendor responsibility on this. Mr. de Blumenthal said he understood the salesman had assured us it would not shrink, in which case Minnesota Mining should be responsible. Mr. Egbert told Mr. Brown to push Minnesota Mining and keep Mr. Feuer advised.

[mfg]

Well done Regnalbob!,.............. This is exactly the type of interesting information trivia questions such as this one 'draws out'!...Thanks for the posting!

[studegary]

I am sold.  This makes another source that I used to be incorrect.  

[mfg]

12 hours ago, studegary said:

I am sold.  This makes another source that I used to be incorrect.  

Gary, take a minute to re-read paragraph 'F' in Mr. Lamberti's letter.....He mentions "painted process", however, I wonder if  that is where the Tenite debate may have started.......

Makes me wonder which material was used in the 1964 Avanti prototype, the 'Egbert Avanti' R4130??