New Avanti frame

[Bob Langer]

I am working on a 1963 Avanti and thought I could repair the rust damaged frame but found it was beyond repair. After looking at my options I thought I might have to abandon the project until I found this new frame from a 1985 Avanti. It will need some minor changes to mount the body and engine (still has the Chevy motor mounts) but beats trying to repair a rusty frame.

[billmdonn]

Where did you find it, what is the story?

[Gunslinger]

That will make a nice story...one of the first Avanti's with a Stude frame mated to one the last Stude frames for an Avanti. You can do a story board called "The First and the Last"!

[COMMANDERPINK1]

Will the Purist be loosing sleep over this being done to a 1963?
Could you not find at least a good Lark frame. Just asking!
Tom

Ignore my Brainfart I was thinking by 83 they went to the GM frame but after studing the photos it the Stude type frame that is a score

[Bob Andrews]

Just for the heckuvit, there's one on eBay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-Studebaker-Avanti-chassis-/260672844044?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb14ff10c

[LarkTruck]

Bob,
You will need to swap out or rework the x member, the later ones were shorter and modified for exhaust clearance. If not you will have floor pan clearance issues. Also, good luck getting your front end aligned to specs, seems the Blake employees mis-drilled the lower control arm holes. (Been there done that). I bought three of these frames when we moved the stuff from SB to Youngstown. email me if you want for more frame info.
Jim S.

[studegary]

There were only 96 coupes and four convertibles for 1985. I wonder what caused this one to be parted out with a good frame. It could have been a rollover, but not a real hard hit on any side/end. Maybe someone wanted an Avanti on some other frame, but why start with an Avanti with a good frame? There are plenty of Avantis around with bad frames. Do you know the story on this 1985 Avanti?

[LarkTruck]

Oh yeah Bob, The body mount brackets on the side of the frame rails are mounted higher on the 85 frame also. This was done to eliminate using so many shims. JS

[Bob Langer]

There were only 96 coupes and four convertibles for 1985. I wonder what caused this one to be parted out with a good frame. It could have been a rollover, but not a real hard hit on any side/end. Maybe someone wanted an Avanti on some other frame, but why start with an Avanti with a good frame? There are plenty of Avantis around with bad frames. Do you know the story on this 1985 Avanti?

Gary,

This frame was never used on a production Avanti. It was a leftover from 1985.

Jim S.,

Ckeck to see if you received the PM i sent to you.