Avanti arrives at the IoMT

[Jack]

MAN! Those blue seats get yopur attention. Still, Wish I had one. LOL

[mbstude]

I've never wanted an Avanti until driving an original 10K mile R2 today. Now I want one.

[Bob Andrews]

MAN! Those blue seats get your attention.

Yeah... Problem is, not a lot of colors would go with them. I'm still mulling all that over. I'll try to make that decision by the end of the year. Meantime I'll be looking at every Avanti picture I come across! Not here- eventually I may start a "show me your Avanti" thread Meantime I'll have a little time to play before snow, then plenty of work disassembling stuff and stripping paint.

I hear you, Matt. It sort of reminds me of the first time I drove an early 60s Vette. A whole new way to see the world!

[sbca96]

You could find an interior from another Avanti and sell the blue set, or just recover it,
or do what I did and install some 4th Gen Camaro seats (in your case recover just the
rear to match). Is that the manual Avanti? Going to do a TKO swap?

Tom

[bige]

It seems to me that as common as turquoise Avantis are that fact is only apparent at Studebaker meets. Every place else they are unique and if reaction to my car is an indicator, people love the color on the Avanti. Mine was done in a GM turquoise that has a little more blue in it and the clearcoat gives it more depth than the original color. Your choices are limited and if you get too creative you will undoubtedly narrow the car's mass appeal. White would work, matching the fawn would be interesting and unique.

Cheap and easy would be replacement steel wheels and hupcaps, correct and always looks good. Let the next owner imaginethe fancy and expensive wheels he'll be buying himself to personalize the car. I think the Avanti needs whitewalls with anything but the sharpest chrome wheel. Too little chrome and decoration on the sides and the car takes on a Scotsman like look with blackwall and hubcaps, again IMHO.

I got lucky and found an Avanti II wood wheel on ebay that had just gotten listed for a BIN for $50! I had to get a little creative with the adapter but mine has a tilt wheel and the directional switch is entirely different than the standard column. My point is that an aftermarket wheel of a smaller diameter makes getting in and out easier and driving a little more fun IMHO.

I have a fan if you need one. It looked to me like one blade had been bent and straightened so I found another thinking there might be an imbalance in the original. After replacing it I noticed no change so I'm sure it would be fine. Grab a fan clutch from Dave T or one of the other vendors and things will get much quieter.

Shift linkage adjustment could possibly be done at the shifter end, no need to even jack up the car. Might need to re-adjust the nuetral safety and back up switches at the same time.

I believe a pegged temp gage would be due to a grounded wire rather than an open.

You're probably right about the steering, Check the bushing at the bottom end of the steering column a nice tight one makes a difference...insert comments here_______________________________________.

Don't keep too much air in the radials. It may sound too low but my car rides and handles best with 26 front and 24 rear.

ErnieR

[Bob Andrews]

No Tom, automatic. Wouldn't do a swap anyway on car I have to resell. Same with the seats- I have to keep my eye on guessing how the market would like it, not me; and at the same time, be careful where I spend money. I can't see a swap or recover, since the seats are already in good condition; to me, the options are dye or paint a color that matches the seats. It's true, not a lot will go with that Grabber Blue. Makes one wonder for what color car those were recovered...

I did fantasize a little... if it were for me, I'd think about a red metallic, with white leather and red carpet. I've got some wheels similar to Pro-Stars on a Lark that I'll try on there just to see, otherwise I'm unsure what wheels I'd really want. But again, I'll have to give that some more thought from a resale standpoint. Oh, and figure out how to raise that steering column a touch <G>

WCP said: Bob, you'll grow fond of it. They are really quite unique. I predict that you will find it hard to part with the car in due time. No doubt that's the case. I'm already enamored- which is how I could dream a little about how I'd do it. So I'm STILL having fun- so far

[Bob Andrews]

Some good tips Ernie, thanks! I'm formulating a plan- slowly- as we speak All input is welcome- maybe we can have fun tossing this around...

[bige]

Let me know if you want the fan...cost of shipping only.

[Bob Andrews]

Thanks Ern-man, I'll let you know I'll be looking into it next week.

[sbca96]

Cheap and easy would be replacement steel wheels and hupcaps, correct and always looks good. Let the next owner imaginethe fancy and expensive wheels he'll be buying himself to personalize the car. I think the Avanti needs whitewalls with anything but the sharpest chrome wheel.

I agree 15" steelies with repop hubcaps is the safest bet, wheels are a very personal choice.

not a lot will go with that Grabber Blue. Makes one wonder for what color car those were recovered....

I would strongly suggest Arctic White then, its a GM color, with a hint of blue in it.
Camaros and Corvettes used it, so it will be in good company.

Tom

[jlmccuan]

Ooops, Ernie. You're right. I went a little brain dead there. Pull the plug off the sensor and let it touch the head or ignition shielding bracket and it pegs. Or let anything grounded touch the exposed terminal. Thanks for fixing my goof before somebody believed me,.

[Bob Andrews]

Conversations with an Avanti

A few of you may not yet know this, but I am the Dr. Doolittle of the automotive world. I amaze and astound those who come in contact with me when they see the instant and natural rapport I have with all things mechanical.

So now this Avanti shows up here on the Island. Started right up and backed out of the transport. It was late at night, so into the garage she went, and that was it for the night.

Next afternoon I jumped in to take it for a spin. The fluids were up and the brake pedal felt good, so I decided to head out onto the road.
As I shifted from Reverse to Drive she stumbled and almost stalled. I patted her dash and said "Come on now sweetie, it's alright". Well, the old girl was shocked to find out a human could communicate with her, and smoothed right out. We went to town and back without incident.
As I pulled her into the shop and started looking the body over a bit, she said, "Can you really hear me?" I said of course, to which she said, "I can't believe it. I've got a lot to say!"
So we spent a little time communicating as I looked under the hood a bit. Following is some of what she told me about her history:

"I don't remember a lot about when I was new. I do remember my original owner was pretty prouud of me! Everywhere we went there were lots of 'oohs' and 'aahs' and attention, and lots of questions. But after a time that tapered off, then it was just going about our business every day. I missed the excitement but figured that was just the natural course of things.

As time wore on, there was less attention for me. Parts of me started wearing and breaking. My original owner seemed to get annoyed any time I needed something. Before long I was traded off on another new, shiny car of some kind. Eventually, someone else came and got me.

However, this time the excitement at my arrival was significantly less. I don't really remember that home or subsequent owners, but each one seemed interested at first, then would lose interest and even become annoyed. You should have seen the guy who owned me when I accidently blew my engine. Boy, was he mad! I don't really remember him, but I remember the smoke coming out of his ears when he picked me up and paid the bill.

The next couple decades are a bit foggy. I had some owners that were well-intentioned, but never seemed to give me all I needed. I noticed I felt- and looked- as old as I was. Finally, one of those owners just pushed me aside, and there I sat for years. I assumed it was just a matter of time until I met with the scrap man, a fate I had seen my Lark brothers suffer so many years previous. Sure, I can see that for a homely old Lark workhorse, but for ME?? I'm not some awkward looking Lark, I'm an AVANTI! Why does no one appreciate that??

I had resigned myself to a fate of being slowly reclaimed by the Earth from whence I came, when one day a fellow came along with a different attitude. He had the same look in his eye that my original owner had! I was embarrassed by how I currently looked; my paint and interior were totally shot, and I hadn't been started in a long time; and even then it was obvious my engine was tired. But this man seemed able to see past that to my heart, and took me home!

The next stretch was a whirlwind for me. My drivetrain was refreshed, and suddenly I felt ALIVE and healthy again! I was whisked off to a car hospital where experienced hands were all over me. Worn parts were tossed and replaced with nice new stuff. Problem areas were labored over. My owner seemed happy and kept on writing checks. I cringed, embarrassed at the cost, but I was sure grateful for the attention. My former glory was assured, and just around the corner!

Then, out of the blue, the work just STOPPED. To this day I have no idea what happened. After all that work, and all that excitement, and all that cost, you just stop dead? What happened? I wanted desperately to ask what happened, if it was something I had done to give offense, to kill the interest. But of course I'm a car, and humans can't hear me. All I can guess is my owner ran out of money, or interest, or both. It looked like I was headed back down the road of decline, and re-resigned myself to that fate.

Then I hear tell of a new owner. I had a glimmer of hope, but that was dashed when I found out my new owner was a cold-hearted vendor who would break me down into parts and send me to my doom forever. I was sad, but I figured at least my parts might help some of my siblings live on. Such is life for an old car.

Nervously, I arrived at my new home. As he looked me over I could see he had known many of my brethren. His experienced eyes and hands knew just where, and how, to assess me. I braced myself for the inevitable.

But then something strange happened. Parts started coming off me just as I had expected, but surprise of surprises, new parts started going back on! The new owner and another guy started dragging out new, better parts and installing them! Once they tried, I gladly roared back to life. I thought, YES, put that stuff on, I am here and ready to live! The next months were a rollercoaster ride- I'd get some improvement followed by derision or outright scorn. My owner seemed mostly grouchy around me, yet the work and parts kept coming. Talk about mixed signals! Of course, being a car, I had no say in my fate. I just tried my best to cooperate and waited to see what happened.
Then one day I overheard that I was off to yet another owner. I thought, here we go again- will this be where I get the rest of what I need, or will all my new parts come off and be scattered to the wind? Given my history, I was not too confident...

My spirits were lifted the day I was escorted into an enclosed hauler- I thought, hey, maybe this owner thinks a lot of me! But I did hear the cranky guy making fun of me to my new owner, so how's a car to know?

Imagine my surprise upon finding out you could communicate with me! I was trying to be good, but I was tired and stressed in totally new surroundings and yawned a little; as I thought 'Oops', you gave me a little pat and spoke kindly to me, and I HEARD you- and you heard me! Suddenly I'm in a nice garage with two other Studes (not as cool as I of course!) with a person whose interest became obvious right from the start. This is a nice place- out in the country, with nice roads where I can stretch my legs. When you get to know me better, I can't wait for you to turn me loose a bit!

So that brings us to tonight. I cannot believe my good fortune in coming to a place where not only do I feel appreciated, I can finally convey my needs and feelings! I'm excited about finally getting the new paint you mentioned, and brought up to the condition an Avanti deserves. I know when you get done I'll once again be respected and appreciated- and DRIVEN again! I cannot help myself- I might cause you the occasional aggravation- but I promise, I'm WORTH IT.

I am perfectly happy in this nice garage for the Winter while you formulate your game plan and start the work. I can't believe that Spring 2011 will finally be my coming-out party, after this 48 year rollercoaster. I promise, I'll do my best to make you proud!"

So there it is. That's not all that was said, but you get the gist of it. I did tell her, "Don't fall in love with me, kid." Now I've got to heed my own advice...

I appreciate all your warnings- but I think we're going to be just fine

[BobPalma]

Did you listen that much to your race cars, Bob? Perhaps that contributed to your success. <GGG>

[JBOYLE]

Another Avanti sold?

Somewhere, a Studebaker parts supplier is buying a new boat.

[Gunslinger]

Another Avanti sold?

Somewhere, a Studebaker parts supplier is buying a new boat.

If that isn't the truth! When my Avanti was being rebuilt I think I kept a few vendors in business or at least the Christmas bonuses were good that year!