Other: How To Open Avanti Trunk

[Stude Rookie]

Could someone please tell me how to open the trunk on a 1967 Avanti ll. The cable is frozen tight. I can only assume from rust. Any help would be deeply appreciated.
Stude Rookie.

[Gunslinger]

You need a flashlight and a looong screwdriver. Open the access lid on the rear package shelf and look in with the flashlight. Use the screwdriver to enter into a slot in the locking mechanism. When the screwdriver blade fits into the access hole, turn it and the lock should open. Then you can replace the cable if necessary or remove and lubricate it. I'm not sure who, but one of the vendors is advertising a stainless steel cable made for the purpose.

Studebaker and Avanti Motors promoted the panel in the package shelf as for the convenience of accessing the trunk (yeah...right...very "convenient" to use)...it was really for unlocking the trunk when the cable breaks. They just didn't promote that little factoid.

What one does with a trunk full of luggage and the cable breaks I don't know and don't care to find out. What I've done as well as others is to simply not lock the trunk...let the lid rest on the latch. Of course there's times you want and need the trunk to be secured, then lock it at those times. Also...regardless of how you handle it, keep the cable lubricated so it doesn't freeze up. My '70 has a power trunk lock, so all I have to be concerned about is losing power or the electric switch going bad!

[unclemiltie]

I had to remove the rear seat to replace a broken trunk cable in a 63 avanti which is the same cable as used in the 67. So if you find you need to replace it you should plan on removing the seat. You have to fish the cable around the gas tank. The rear seat is not hard to remove. I hope you enjoy your 67, I know we have really enjoyed ours.

[studegary]

I think that it is amazing that there are two people with 1967 Avantis on this topic/thread out of only 41 built.

[Stude Rookie]

Thank you Gunslinger and Milt. I needed your help and here you are. Hope I can pay you back sometime.The 67 has brought me a lot of pleasure just having it, but it is going to a new owner soon so the 54 Commander can live.
Stude Rookie

[Stude Rookie]

I think that it is amazing that there are two people with 1967 Avantis on this topic/thread out of only 41 built.

Gary, it is pretty amazing at that.
Marion

[studefan]

My dad had a white 1967 Avanti II many years ago. I thought there were a few hundred 67s made, not just 41. Can someone verify this please?

[sweetolbob]

My dad had a white 1967 Avanti II many years ago. I thought there were a few hundred 67s made, not just 41. Can someone verify this please?

I think you will find studegary has a pretty good handle on these issues.

Bob

[Gunslinger]

My dad had a white 1967 Avanti II many years ago. I thought there were a few hundred 67s made, not just 41. Can someone verify this please?

According to John Hull's book on the Avanti, he shows 41 Avanti's were produced during 1967. He does qualify his numbers with "an inherent error factor of between 1 and 10 units per year based o skipped serial numbers, prototypes, changed serial numbers, etc."

Regardless, 1967 was apparently the lowest production year of Avanti's until Steve Blake's bankruptcy in 1986 when no cars were produced.

[Rerun]

While we're talking about the trunk release, a malfunction in the hood release mechanism can cause similar grief.

Fortunately, there is a rubber plug under each latch that can be accessed from under the fenders. After the plugs are removed, the latches can be released with a screwdriver. I once met an Avanti owner who proudly showed me an elaborate pull chain device that he had installed to open the hood in the event of a linkage failure. He didn't seem happy to hear that it was unnecessary, since the factory had already provided a back-up release procedure. So, since there apparently are Avanti owners who are unaware of this feature , I figured that I would add mention of it to this thread.

[Stude Rookie]

While we're talking about the trunk release, a malfunction in the hood release mechanism can cause similar grief.

Fortunately, there is a rubber plug under each latch that can be accessed from under the fenders. After the plugs are removed, the latches can be released with a screwdriver. I once met an Avanti owner who proudly showed me an elaborate pull chain device that he had installed to open the hood in the event of a linkage failure. He didn't seem happy to hear that it was unnecessary, since the factory had already provided a back-up release procedure. So, since there apparently are Avanti owners who are unaware of this feature , I figured that I would add mention of it to this thread.

You folks never cease to amaze me with your knowledge and insight. I now have another previously unknown piece of information about my Avanti.
Stude Rookie

[Gunslinger]

You folks never cease to amaze me with your knowledge and insight. I now have another previously unknown piece of information about my Avanti.
Stude Rookie

Very clever, these Americans! Actually...it just takes reading the shop manual for these insights.

[Corvanti]

My '70 has a power trunk lock, so all I have to be concerned about is losing power or the electric switch going bad!

a P.O. put in an electric trunk lock on my '63. push button under the dash next to the map light - very nice as long as the battery is up!!!

[52 Ragtop]

Of course the other "option" is to just get the ole' sawz all out LOL
However, that will be a bit more expensive to repair!

Jim

[Hawklover]

Gary, it is pretty amazing at that.
Marion

The '67 Avanti my dad had was sold to a Fred Munch in Virgina......wonder if he or the car are alive?