Considering there were only about 4,600 Studebaker Avanti’s built in the car’s brief lifespan, they’re a treat when you see one today. Except when they’ve had the misfortune that befell this 1963 edition. Something caught fire under the hood and burned up the front clip. It may have reached the interior, but the photos don’t show it. Located in a lot with other broken cars in Colton, California, this unfortunate rarity is available here on craigslist for $5,000. Barn Finder T.J. keeps bringing these tips our way!
Many consider the Avanti to be the car that was supposed to save Studebaker. But it never reached the company’s projection of 20,000 copies a year. Instead, 3,834 were built in 1963 and 809 for the 1964 model run before Studebaker closed its U.S. auto manufacturing plant and shifted activities to Canada. That move didn’t include the Avanti and its fiberglass body. A pair of Studebaker would revive the car as the Avanti II after the company folded and it lived a long life after that.
We don’t know anything about the history of this first-year Avanti or how fate worked to its disadvantage. While all the fiberglass in front looks used up from the fire, we don’t know the condition of the 289 cubic inch V8 under the hood and other important items like the wiring. The windshield also got caught in the mayhem, but without any photos of the interior, we don’t know if any restoration will be needed there. The seller doesn’t say much other than to indicate that the auto has factory air conditioning and the asking price is firm. Would you take a gamble on this one?
Afraid that’s one less Studebaker Avanti.
Years ago,in Roseburg,Oregon,I saw the remains of a
burnt one of these.Nothing left of the body.I couldn’t figure
out what it was,until the counterman told me.
This, boys and girls, is what is known as a donor car.
If the fire didn’t penetrate the firewall all the front clip parts are available. Including the wiring harness. I can tell you from experience, having bought one, there’s nothing more expensive than a “cheap” Avanti. Paid $8K for my 78 Avanti II. Currently into it for about $26K and not done yet.
I don’t think I will ever understand why an owner of a car, especially one that has major damage, bothers to list it for sale with only 3 photos and very little info. It’s as if he’s thinking “I really don’t want to sell it now, but if someone shows interest and asks for more photos, I’ll take ’em and send them by email.”
At least take a few seconds to slide the old piece of plywood off the car and take a photo of the engine compartment. And spend a couple of more seconds opening the door and take a photo of the dash assembly. Ad another photo showing the overall interior. If the interior Vinyl pieces are smoke stained, it will require replacing everything to rid the car of a smoke smell.
Anyone who has a genuine interest in the car will be asking the owner to take a lot more photos. What those additional photos reveal will determine if the people who have expressed interest will still want to make an offer or not. The owner could perhaps save himself some time by showing the damages in advance, instead of multiple people, after having requested more photos, say “no thanks”.
Maybe he is being optimistic wants to part it out.
When someone wants to part a vehicle out, try to be the first there and buy the tires and wheels.
It then becomes a driveway ornament.
The car is in as good a shape as the plywood.
Steve,
I don’t know about that, the plywood isn’t fire damaged!
I don’t know about the car, but that plywood has been outside as long as the trees it came from! :(
As a 16 year old, I lusted after the Avanti! I hung out at the Houston dealership so much, the owner let me take one out.
Let me, an awkward 16 year old, drive an Avanti!!!
Blue,
I understand your excitement! I lived in a small suburban town just north of Washington DC, and the local garage owner had an all-original 1933 Duesenberg J town car that I drooled over whenever I was able to get my parents to let me go visit the Duesy. My parents would drop me off at the garage when they had some errands to do, and I would pour all over that car.
The owner of the garage, a great guy named George Miller, understood [and put up with] my fascination with his car, and he made me a promise that when I could present him with a full driver’s license in my name, he would allow me to drive the car!
In 1968, on the very day I got my full [not a lerner’s permit] license, my dad drove me up to Miller’s Garage. Mr. Miller said “Congrats Bill, here are the keys, you can drive it anywhere you like as long as you don’t leave my shop’s paved lot!” So the first pre-WW2 car I ever drove was a Duesenberg!
Last I checked, Mr. Miller’s car was fully restored and in a Chicago area car collection.
A great story well told! Thanks.
For the potential buyer get it while it’s hot barry
I do need the rear end 😩
Given the damage is rather severe, unless someone needs this Avanti for parts is isn’t worth restoration. Likely value closer to $1500.
Fire damage, this means a major restoration to get this car smoke free and drivable. $5K is not worth it unless you absolutely have to have it. Even then I’d pass on this one which is basically a parts car. $500 is closer to what it is worth. Forget the $5k firm. Sell him another Advanti which needs the parts in the cooked version. This is another seller who reads the Junk & Clunkers sale pricing manual