This Avanti convertible is reported to have spent its entire life in Malibu, California where it was owned by a surgeon who purchased it new in 1991. The current owner acquired the car from the “fussy” doctor and brought it east where it now resides in slightly-less-sunny Schenectady, New York. The Avanti is available for sale here on Hemmings for the “absolute lowest acceptable price” of $28,500.
The Studebaker-Avanti history has many twists and turns, much of it documented and discussed in previous posts on this site. This 1991 convertible features many of the original design cues that helped make these cars unique. Created under the direction of famed designer Raymond Loewy in 1962, the Avanti is distinguished by its aerodynamic styling and prominent knife-blade fenders. Also notable is the absence of a front grille. The seller mentions the car’s fiberglass body and cloth top are in perfect condition due to the car being consistently stored undercover by the doctor while he was both at home and work. Built on a Chevrolet Caprice chassis, the seller (who claims he’s owned numerous Avanti’s) raves about how this car drives “tight and smooth…absorbs the impact [of bumps] gracefully….and is the nearest to a really good car of any Avanti.” That doesn’t sound like a compliment but I think it’s intended as one.
Photos of the interior support the seller’s claim that this car has been pampered with its condition being equivalent to that of a two-year-old vehicle. The leather seats look plush and the wood steering wheel, trim, and burled wood shifter are truly stunning. The original radio has been replaced with a Kenwood CD player. The Hemmings ad provides lots of close-up photos of the interior compared to the Craigslist posting. Other than a bit of wear on the buttons on the console, no blemishes can be found whatsoever in the upholstery, carpeting, dash or door coverings. It really is in unbelievable condition for a car with almost 140,000 miles on the clock.
The seller fails to provide photos of the 305 cubic inch, 5.0-liter V-8 engine but claims it has plenty of power and the Hydramatic transmission shifts firmly. Photos are provided of the undercarriage and here is where the car shows its mileage and age. Surface rust can be seen on the suspension components and it appears there is a fair amount of oil residue present on the exterior of the pan. The seller offers a 3-ring binder full of maintenance records with the sale, along with build sheets and delivery data from when the car was purchased new. The doctor’s car cover is also included with the sale so that the new owner can continue to keep this car pristine (even while at work). The chance to own an Avanti doesn’t come around very often but is the seller’s NADA-targeted price of $28,800 a bit ambitious?
Uh oh. A fantasy garage shaping up. The Avanti, the Nutburger Vo’vo, the Hathaway that I didn’t get the bid on, and the ’68 Lightning.
Believe it or not, I’m starting to get some reality projects wrapped up. Something abot 105 heat index and 100 % humidity in the shop that slows me down. Down to a stop.
I honestly don’t remember Avanti convertibles though I’ve seen my share and actually drove one about 50′. They were interesting automobiles, too bad they went the way of the Dodo.
The convertible only came out fairly late in the post-Studebaker years, maybe the late ’80s. Near the end there was even a 4 door!
You must understand a work of art, when you see it.
Nice car, and it is a convertible, but for this price you could get a “real” Avanti which, I’m sorry to say, is much cooler than the post-Studebaker versions.
Probably one of the nicest cars they made, but that price is way off base for a car with that mileage. You’d have to start fixing everything. 100K on any suspension means “it’s time” eh? Maybe you could just put it in the driveway and sit in it.
I’m in a strange place when I think about the Avanti. I like most of Loewey’s
“catalog”…and I appreciate his jet-age styling of this car. But the hardtop had some really funky angles that gave me just enough pause to “friend zone” it.
This ragtop on the other hand…is quite fetching with the top down. I would absolutely make space in my garage for it.
To my eye, the design of this car held its own, even in this iteneration, so many years after its debut.
One of How many?? We’ll probably Never see another one in our lifetime that’s for sale, at any price. Maybe at a Studebaker meeting/ car show. So get the engine and trans re-sealed, freshen-up the chassis and drive it for another 150k miles. Price is 10k too high for a 140k mile Chevy kit car!! Would be kinda fun when it’s done. Good luck to the new owner and seller.
These later Avanti replicars are ungainly in design and do not resemble the real 63-4 Avantis except to those with no eye for automotive design. The first gen Avanti II ‘s are the only replicars that look decently. These car appeal to Zimmer buyers.
This one surprises me. I like the Avanti. It is a bucket list car for me. I have seen the convertibles and didn’t like them. The tops had been up and I had Avanti on my mind. The lines of this are different and when I first looked at the picture with the top down I liked it. Then I realized it was an Avanti, shows me that I was not looking at the car but rather my expectations.
I also think the wheels look okay. I usually don’t care for such wheels. Think the tires are too thin though.
Still prefer an Avanti II, but this one looks good.
Overpriced by a mile and should be red or maroon, possibly yellow.
$28,500 “minimum” with that many miles? I don’t think so…
The 91 was the last year for Cafaro ownership and as I understand only 7-15 convertibles were built. Styling wise, I’m told the 91’s were the best of the lot. I have two Avantis, a 76 coupe and an 89 convertible that’s been restored-modded with a 383/4L60E AOD/Ford 9″ rear end replacing the 305/700R4/Chevy rear end. While I’m not planning on selling my convertible for a while, I wouldn’t entertain any offers less than the asking price. Price? It always has been what a person is willing to pay. Not that many Avantis were produced in all years productions. Counting convertibles from 1984 through 2007, the number would be well under 300. They are a unique vehicle that garner many looks wherever its driven. The Avanti styling remains as when it was introduced, polarizing people into groups loving the design or those hating the design. I am in the group of loving the design since I first saw an Avanti up close September 1962.