The seller of this 1979 Studebaker Avanti II sounds more optimistic than I’d expect given the intro photo on the craigslist listing. The Avanti II, from the era following the conclusion of Studebaker production but while still in the hands of Studebaker employees, is a last-gasp before a series of different owners bastardized the brand. Find this project-grade example here on craigslist somewhere near Reno for $5,900.
Two gents by the name of Altman and Newman bought the rights to Studebaker once formal production ended, and continued to build the trucks and Avanti models. This generation would still have a Studebaker-designed chassis under it, along with power from a small-block Chevy. Since the 305 was installed beginning in 1981, I suspect this has a 400 mill under the hood.
Avantis were still built to a high degree of quality in the ensuing years, which is a credit to the owners that secured the rights to Studebaker. It couldn’t have been easy to continue building as a full-scale manufacturer, and later ownership changes beginning in 1982 certainly realized it wasn’t. This example, despite outside storage in Nevada, appears to show a complete interior – but the baked-off paint is likely an indication that it’s not going to stay intact forever.
However, it must be worst than it seems as the seller still confirms the interior needs to be redone, along with exterior cosmetics. The listing also mentions it’s been sitting for five years, and that the seller will entertain offers around a $5,900 asking price. To me, this is a cheap way into Avanti ownership from a time when the brand still had a connection to its Studebaker heritage despite the company’s retirement. Would you pay the asking price or go a bit lower?
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