So if Brad B is too expensive for you, here is an alternative for Avanti restoration.

[Buzzard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoniIjoWPKA

[Hawklover]

Lets face it, quality work does cost!............and truth be told God bless those that actually have the kind of discretionary income to allow this kind of capital expenditure. Truth be told, this has to be a labor of love, no Stude Avanti (not withstanding R3s) will never return the money that early Vettes will, just reality. And yes I wish I had the money to undertake such a project, but even with such funds available, I would upon completion, never drive it for fear of any damage, so it would by default become a garage queen, or be trailered (sp) to shows.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Thanks for posting the video. I have learned a couple things from it that will apply to my car. I do wish that they had brought up oil pressure with a drill and a rod down the distributor hole before starting the engine.
--Dwight

[Commander Eddie]

Interesting video. It was fun to see them tackle removing the gas tank. I was a bit concerned when they got the engine running and the garage began filling with fumes. It appeared they had all the doors closed and no visible ventilation system. I expected one of them to pass out at any moment. I would like to see the subsequent posts.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

[QUOTE=Commander Eddie;n2004877 I would like to see the subsequent posts.[/QUOTE]

That will have to wait until they get out of the hospital.

[rockinhawk]

Brad bez is gonna be hard to beat.

[StudeRich]

That Car has an interesting Interior, EVERY bit of that Original Fawn Vinyl including the Dash has been rattle canned with bright Red Dye!
The Door panel lower parts were probably Maroon, now they are Red and the replacement Seats are Original Tangerine !

It's gonna be an ODD looking interior with new Maroon Carpet.

[pinehurstbob]

I am in the process of resurrecting a 64 R1 (R5330 to be exact) that has not run for 12 years now and found this video helpful as I plan to remove and clean the tank before starting. I would have likely made the same mistake on the return fuel line had I not watched the video. Thanks for posting.
Bob

[Hawklover]

Lets not forget Mike Myer, he has done amazing restorations!! Especially Avantis!!

[Hawklover]

I am in the process of resurrecting a 64 R1 (R5330 to be exact) that has not run for 12 years now and found this video helpful as I plan to remove and clean the tank before starting. I would have likely made the same mistake on the return fuel line had I not watched the video. Thanks for posting.
Bob

Bob just my two cents here, but I removed my Avanti gas tank and sent it to my local radiator shop to clean out. Did a great job and also tended to the baffle spot welds. $75.00.

[pinehurstbob]

Hawklover, that's my plan with the tank. But since COVID labour rates have skyrocketed. Expect it will be more than $75.
Bob

[Hawklover]

Hawklover, that's my plan with the tank. But since COVID labour rates have skyrocketed. Expect it will be more than $75.
Bob

Bob LOL I know folks from Welland and Niagara on the lake!

[aardvark]

Interesting but wouldn't it be simpler and more cost effective to just purchase a "near perfect" car and do some touch-ups. It then would be a Driver as well as something ya wouldn't fear driving.
I recently bought a '63' R2 , w/ 89k miles for $18.5k. It needs very little.... some bumperettes and under hood parts re-chromed. With a bit of cleanup I figure the retail market would bring a sales price around $35-40k. I'l likely have $20k in Her (And have no intent to sell Her).
I have a deep love for Cars, being raised in Detroit with a Automotive Family. That said, I look first at the profit margins. and refuse to lose on my investments.

[Hallabutt]

I want to say I really don't know why I should get involved in this discussion but... Avanti was a long ago part of my Studebaker DNA that I parked by the curb and basically walked away. I drove them through some of my college years during the 60's. That kind of ruined my love affair with them. I still understand and appreciate those that are drawn to them, but there are more interesting cars out there for me.

Now to my point of responding. I have never been a bottom line kind of restorer. Labor or love or a mission to save and restore an heirloom still rings as true for for me as it did sixty years ago. As I have aged I feel my time getting short. Which requires me to concentrate on something more important then an Avanti. If I was younger the call to save something would still register with me. Saving something can be it's own reward, but an Avanti would be a stretch.

There is nothing about this Avanti that says restore me. I see a candidate for a driver, nothing else.

[Bob Andrews]

I know guys that have money and they restore cars just for the love of the history. And I know a lot of guys who do one car because it was either in the family or it was a replica of one they had when they were young. They don’t care about losing money, they have it to give. They care more about the cars

I have a client that restores cars this way. He pays a couple top shops to do the work. I’ve seen him spend $300,000 on a car and sell it for $100,000 or thereabouts. he doesn’t mind. His thinking is, I have money, I have plenty to leave for my family, and I love Automotive history. if I restore this car and have it done right, then I know that most likely it will always be protected and looked after long after I’m gone. it’s far better than throwing it away at a casino. I can completely understand that. so he will get a car done, have it delivered and unveiled, keep it for a year or so, then have me sell it for him, usually at auction. He’s always got a couple restorations in the pipeline. The other side of it is, a lot of times I find a home without for somebody who loves a specific car, and I get them a real bargain. Everybody wins.

That’s what the rest of my life is about; helping the cars. And if I had the money, I would probably be doing it too. But I am happy enough working for people who want cars looked after.