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.
The Unknown Clever Thinking of Altman's Avanti Motors
Are your Avanti’s power window switches constantly popping out of the door panels? You aren't alone. This rare factory option, found on 1963–1973 models, featured a mounting system prone to loosening as the door panel cardboard aged. In this technical guide, Dan Booth reveals a "clever" factory-authorized secret for locking switches into place using simple rods—or even nails—to keep the NOS #1351343 clips tensioned.
Lighting the Way: A Guide to Authentic Avanti Dome Lamp Door Switches (1963–1985)
Are your dome lights failing to turn on when you open the door? The problem might be more than just a bulb—it could be an incorrect or improperly grounded door switch. In this technical deep-dive, Dan Booth uses original Studebaker factory blueprints and 45 years of experience to identify the correct switches for every production era