Welcome to the Nostalgic Motor Cars Technical Library. For nearly 50 years, my only full-time job has been the service and preservation of 1963-1985 Avantis. These articles are compiled from my personal experience and original Studebaker factory blueprints to help you maintain the safety, value, and authenticity of your car.
Avanti Interior Authenticity: The History of Sun Visors (1963–1985)
Are your Avanti sun visors rock-hard and heavy? If so, they aren't factory correct. Drawing on original Studebaker blueprints and his background as a journeyman toolmaker, Dan Booth sets the record straight on the three distinct styles of sun visors used from 1963 through 1985.
Preservation Secrets: Preventing Avanti Door Panel Warping (1963–1985)
Did you know that humidity can ruin your Avanti’s door panels even if the car never sees rain? Specialist Dan Booth reveals the critical factory component that is often discarded during repairs: the vapor barrier. When these barriers are missing, moisture enters through the door’s access holes, causing the interior panels to warp and deteriorate.
Strengthening the Avanti Seat Mounts: Inner Rear Nut Plate Repair
Does your Avanti’s front seat feel loose or "bouncy"? A common failure point on all 1963–1985 Avantis is the inner rear seat track mounting nut plate, which can break its bond with the fiberglass floor pan over time