As I mentioned last year, when I first got the car the stereo bezel was in the glovebox (the original Blaupunkt Sacramento had been replaced with a Pioneer unit) and I found the number 4238 handwritten on what would be the “inside” or non-visible when installed side. I presumed that this was another RQB or last four of a different VIN.
In the past several months, as I have removed more interior panels as part of repairing the window motors/regulators and fitting Dynamat to the car, I have found more instances of the “4238” number on the back sides of the door panels and “4237” on the back sides of the rear seat bottom and rear seat back.
Earlier this year I bought the build sheets from Dan and Betty Booth at Nostalgic Motors in Wixom, Michigan. Along with what is the largest stock of NOS Avanti parts, they also have original build sheets of almost all the Avanti production up to 1985 (and factory inspection sheets for Studebaker Avantis, as well). They will kindly make a copy of build sheets for you for anywhere from $25 (for Studebaker Avantis) or $35 (for 1966-1985 Avantis). Is it steep for a piece of paper? Yes. John Hull, a former Avanti exec from the 80s/90s also has a less complete (I’m told) set of these, and I think his rate may be more reasonable. I went with the Nostalgic as John Hull did not have build sheets for either of these two cars, 4238 or 4245.
All that said, here are scans of the copies I received – I received a total of five copies as there were multiple, different sheets with my production number.
This is one of the four copies I received for my car, 4245. Note that nothing appears to be selected, and the exterior color is a “Light Chestnut Metallic” and the interior “Creme”. Followers of this blog know that my car is light blue metallic with midnight blue interior.
Virtually identical, save for the circled “line number” of 4245 and the misspelled word “CANCELL” written across the top.
Hmmm – yet another for 4245. This one says “Void 9/11/85” – odd since my car shows a build date in the door jamb VIN plate of May 1985.
Also, what appears to be the initials “R-something” – of “where are you know, Mr/Mrs/Ms R-something” – I’d sure like to ask you some questions!
Another? Yes, I’m afraid so. This one has a few things underlined, and then, of course, the giant “X” through the middle of the sheet.
Well, this helps – a bit. This is the build sheet for 4238, the number I found on the back of several of my panels. It’s build specification seems to match my car in every respect.
- Paint Silver Blue Metallic 85 AMC 4L S-W 34-33874 – seems to match the touchup offered in this link and offically called Adriatic Blue by AMC. From an 85 AMC Encore (the Renault version was called the Alliance) – the Avanti is probably the best car this paint ever touched!
- All seat, door, headliner, visors, etc trim is Midnight Blue Leather/Vinyl
- Kick Panels and Carpets are “Navy” blue
- Steering Wheel is wood
- Dash and console panels are “Elm”
Note that this build sheet doesn’t have any options check off on it, either. 4245 does have the electric moonroof, came with wire wheels in the trunk, wood steering wheel, leather interior and wood trim package.
The absence of other details, like key codes, engine #, ship date, etc are disappointing, but not so much that I wish I hadn’t bought these. Knowing the correct paint code was worth it to me – plus I have all the service history and purchase documents from the original owner.
Now, for me, the next I had was what happened to 4238 – was it even ever built? A quick look at Bob Johnstone’s excellent registry skips right over it, from 4237 to 4240. So I then ran an “Autocheck” on the VIN and found that the car apparently was built and DOES still exist.
So the car has been registered annually in Mount Vernon, Georgia since 2002. But 4238 has never been listed as a member of the Avanti Owners Association International (AOAI) nor do they have any current or former members in Mount Vernon, Georgia.
So in that regard, I’m still at a bit of dead-end. Mt. Vernon is a small town of about 2500 people, so if someone in this town owns an Avanti, it’s likely that it is well-known. I guess at some point if I’m ever in the area, I’ll cruise around and see if I can find it.
And the other car whose numbers I found on mine, #4237? That car is listed in Bob Johnstone’s aforementioned registry as owned by an AOAI member in Derby, KS with no other details. Next I’ll try to contact them.
My 1985 Avanti RQB-4245 