Safari Build: 1980 Avanti II

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This 1980 Avanti II has been given a treatment we don’t often see with vehicles produced by this unusual American company. The Avanti underwent numerous transformations over the years, in both terms of styling and powerplants, but there’s no mistaking what the car is based on those distinctive headlights and truncated rear end. The seller of this particular Avanti II has transformed his car from stately boulevard cruiser into something I feel you’re more likely to see at a Pacific Northwest forest rally through the trees.  Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000.

These days, there’s a somewhat annoying trend to make every car into a rally or off-road capable beast, something that Porsche made into a bit of a fad when it reimagined its original 959 Paris Dakar competition car. Now, the original concept deserves its place in the history books, as it is perhaps one of the most significant examples of a road-going supercar being successfully converted for off-road use. However, that was a factory-developed rally car built to exceedingly high standards intended to help it endure the most grueling terrain on Earth. When the masses began “converting” cars more comfortable with pavement into rock crawlers, the whole thing got a little out of control.

This Avanti sports all the tell-tale signs, with the CB whip antenna, knobby tires, spare gas cans mounted on the deck lid, and other visual clues that the seller wants you to believe you’ll be camping under the stars in some far-off place with your trust Avanti by your side. While I fully appreciate the effort that goes into making a car into something of an adventure machine, I also tend to wax poetic about the sensibilities of the original concept. After all, engineers tend to want to build something that works well right out of the box, which I’m sure they did with the Avanti. Thankfully, the gorgeous interior is still largely intact, with sports seats and a padded dash.

The Avanti II came with a Chevrolet-sourced small block V8, paired to a three-speed automatic. The numbers are hard to confirm, but I believe this Avanti should have around 180 horsepower. The seller claims he has spent some money on maintenance, noting several improvements including an all-new fuel system with new lines, fuel pump and a Holley carburetor. The fuel tank was dropped, cleaned, and relined, and a  Turner front brake conversion kit was also performed. The seller also installed new rear brakes and wheel cylinders, along with flushing the transmission fluid and changing the filter. The rally build is a leave it or love it situation, but I certainly hope the next owner loves this Avanti as much the current caretaker apparently did.

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Comments

  1. EuromotoMember

    Now THIS is the Avanti I’ve been waiting for. Baja here I come…

    Like 7
    • Stan 🏁Member

      Lol right on Euromoto.
      The Baja-vanti 🙌 🏜

      Like 4
  2. Eric

    Why do people screw cars up like this? It’s so unnecessary!

    Like 9
    • Loving Studies!

      Eric: Because they can.

      Like 4
    • JDC

      Alcohol?

      Like 4
  3. RallyeMember

    “1980 Aston Martin avanti ii”
    ?

    Like 0
    • Henry

      Facebook marketplace has preset car companies you can choose from when placing an ad, and when the correct company isn’t an option, sellers will often choose something at random.

      Like 3
      • SubGothius

        And most ppl don’t know you can select Vehicle Type: Other to enter any arbitrary make/model you want.

        Like 0
  4. Slomoogee

    The car looks easily brought back to an acceptable looking driver. I didn’t notice a roll cage, and the interior isn’t stripped out. Change the wheels and tires take the luggage racks off. Remove the fogs, and for 8000 you’re driving something that’s a lot cooler than your jacked up bro truck with flowmasters.

    Like 11
  5. Rw

    Beyond horrible

    Like 1
  6. RexFoxMember

    That fiberglass body would probably love being twisted and pounded off road! But before you try that, it might be smarter to remove the racks, change the tires (like Slomoogee suggests) and stick to paved roads. A 4 speed would really increase my desire.

    Like 1
  7. 370zpp 370zpp

    Why not also make it a “shorty” and completely ruin it?

    Like 1
    • Ike Onick

      But don’t you just adore that cute little luggage rack???

      Like 0
      • 370zpp 370zpp

        recycled from its previous life as a litter box stand.

        Like 0
  8. Matthew Hirschler

    Honestly, I love the look.

    Maybe it is not your speed, but at least the car has survived. Mostly stock, too.

    Avanti (2-doors) are really special cars and this one gets to stay on the road and tell a story. 🤙

    Like 1
    • Eric

      Avanti II is not what you’d call a survivor. The original Avanti is another story!

      Like 1
  9. SirRaoulDuke

    I dig it. I’ve always felt that the Avanti II deserves to be modified, unlike the Avanti I, those I feel every single one should be restored to showroom quality. The II? Hot rod the hell out of them, I’d have gone the extra mile with this build with some LS power and a six speed.

    Like 2
  10. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    This has been entered in many “safaris”.
    Safari to the local grocery store.
    Safari to the neighborhood shine and show.

    Who knows, Rossford, OH might be a treacherous place to live.

    Like 0
    • Frank Sumatra

      There is a “cat and dog” joke buried in you comment.

      Like 0
      • Steve R

        No kidding.

        Steve R

        Like 0
      • PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

        I don’t see it.
        Color me naïve.

        Like 0

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