This 1977 Avanti II entered garage storage 15 years ago under its own power, but now obviously has fallen on hard times. This is ironic considering the Avanti brand fell on hard times repeatedly since its inception, despite utilizing the seemingly foolproof recipe of polarizing styling and American V8 power. As the years wore on, the design began to lose some of its original allure and powerplants became decidedly less exotic. Still, they remain a rarity today with few, if any, showing up to your local cars and coffee. Find this example here on eBay with bidding at $3,100 and no reserve.
Information is a tad limited on this particular listing, but seeing it on the wheel skates indicates to me that someone cared just enough about it to not let its tires melt into the ground. I know it’s also a major inconvenience to push a dead car in and out, but still – most of the garage finds we spot are on very flat tires. The paint looks presentable, at least good enough that I’m guessing it’d bounce back with a decent buffing. I see no issues with the glass, either, and side-view mirrors remain in place. I’m digging the wheels, and the white-line tires actually look pretty new.
The interior is seemingly more good news, just appearing to require a good cleaning. The color isn’t the sexiest one we’ve ever seen, appearing to be a tired burgundy, but the wood trim and wood-rimmed Nardi-look steering wheel livens things up a bit. The dash doesn’t look to have any cracks and the center console and various switchgear don’t appear to be broken or stuck in positions that indicate an attempted repair gone wrong. The seats will need some work to be perfect, but there’s nothing here you couldn’t live with for a few years while the mechanical bits are sorted out.
The seller says the Avanti has only been started once or twice since going into the garage, so the 350 hasn’t seen much use over the years. The evolution of the Avanti saw a variety of American V8s dropped in, ranging from the 327 to the awful 305. With a 350, you’re in the middle of the engine range at this point in Avanti’s history, and it should be a fairly straight-forward process to make some basic repairs to prepare it for its initial start in 15 years. No word on whether it’s numbers-matching, but given this is a no reserve listing for a classic Avanti II, I wouldn’t spend too much time sweating the provenance.
Interesting cars with a checkered history and certainly progressive for their year. Would be a fun project to recommission without hundreds of hours of labor. In so far at the paint, the comment “The paint looks presentable, at least good enough that at least it will bounce back with a decent buffing” reminds me of comments offered on other automotive sites illustrating paint and body condition close to returning to earth…. “a little buffing should do it”. I think the only thing that will bounce back when buffing this beauty is the flakes of clear coat, already delaminating “bouncing back” at the person doing the buffing. Caution, wear goggles and a mask if you embark on that journey. Fun car, and thanks for sharing Barn Finds…. Enjoy your posts.
I have always been very partial to the Studebaker name, I own a Studebaker build 6 wd military truck but of course it was built under contract so nothing new there. The Avanti cars always get a second look because of their original looks for the time but yet a little sad it being the end of the company. I have never ridden in one or given one a serious look over but they are interesting
This might be worth grabbing if price stays low.
He was to tired to wash it.😂😁
I think I noticed an AC compressor, however I can’t locate vents on the dash. Are they in the shadows or am I missing something?
I own a 78. AC vents are in the console under the dash. It is a Nardi steering wheel same as the one on mine.
the vents are below the radio in the piece that goes from the consul to the dash.
Surprise, a 4 door one day on Barn Finds, then a ’77 the next day. I have a ’76 coupe and an ’89 convertible. The exterior and engine compartment doesn’t look too bad and should clean up, but the seats and carpet need a lot of work or replacement. With the SBC power plant, one can easily wake it up from the 70’s funk of anywhere fro 150 to 185 HP these cars were originally new with. I’m thinking the 350 is more desirable to do that with than the 305. My ’76 still has the original 400 block and crank, but has been totally worked over, now sporting TBI EFI and putting out over 450 HP and 570 # torque. I’ve driven that car to the West coast and three times to the East coast as well as all over the midwest putting over 40,000 miles on it since I got it 9 years ago.
I bought the ’89 5 or 6 years ago already resto-modded with a 383 crate motor, electronic 4L60 trans and a Ford 9″ rear end. I’ve really enjoyed both cars, after being bit by the Avanti bug as a freshman in high school the fall of ’62 when they were introduced. In April of ’66 I bought my first Avanti, a ’64 R 1 and ran the day lights out of that car for over 3 years before going to a ’67 SS 396 Chevelle. 40 years later I got back into Avantis and will enjoy them as long as I’m driving.
” appearing to require a good cleaning.”?….Ya think ?
Faded, sun bleached, cracked and moldy !! Don’t believe all those “As seen on TV” Miracle products , it won’t work !!!
SOLD for $4250.
Thank you Barn Finds! My wife just loved the looks of the Jag XJ6, so we have been looking for 4 or 5 years, perhaps longer, but just could not seem to connect. You featured a lovely Avanti, a year or two back, and I said “come look at this beauty”, and she said “very nice”, but left unsaid “but it’s not a Jag”. I saw your listing, told my Avanti chum about it, looked again, looked at the Ebay listing, mulled it over, talked it over with my Avanti chum again, who was dubious, but I thought “this is the one”. I was the successful bidder. After 51 years of marriage, I lost my wife, to cancer, in early January, so I am weeping as I write this thank you note, but this is “Mary’s Car”, and it is a keeper.
My sympathies, Eddie, I lost my first wife after 24 happy years and understand what you are going through. I hope you enjoy the Avanti and keep the happy memories alive!