Stored 23 Years: Running 1983 Avanti II

The “first generation” of the Avanti II ran from 1965 to 1983. It was born from the ashes of the original Avanti, but used drivetrains provided largely by Chevrolet. This 1983 edition has just been revived after being in storage for 23 years. The cranberry red paint looks great as it was reapplied just before the car went into hibernation. Located near Houston, Texas, the seller may be hesitant to sell the car, but has put it out there anywhere for $12,750 here on craigslist. Our thanks to Tony Primo for continuing to bring great tips our way!

One of the victims of Studebaker’s demise in the mid-1960s was the Avanti personal luxury car. Because it was only around a year and a half and sold just 4,643 copies, the Avanti was discontinued when Studebaker shifted auto production to Canada in late 1963. But there was a happy ending when the Avanti was revived in 1965 by two former Studebaker dealers. Ownership of Avanti Motor Car Co. would change hands several times over the years, but the “Altman” era continued through 1983. Except for power, the cars looked just like the ones built in South Bend, Indiana (Studebaker).

The seller’s car is one of 289 built in 1983 (production during most years only numbered a few hundred). It has a low-mileage crate Chevy 350 cubic inch V8, which replaced the car’s original 305 V8 (Monte Carlo hardware was used in that run). This vehicle was out of the limelight from 2003 until 2026, when the seller pulled it out and got it going again. While we’re told it runs and drives as it should, it still needs a fuel pump and new tires, which the seller will be installing.

We’re told the interior needs a bit of work, and the photos provided may show as many as three steering wheels being employed. The fiberglass exterior seems to be without problems, so it may not take much for this vehicle to become a driver-quality, Cars & Coffee automobile. The seller also owns a 1989 Avanti II and may be going against his wife’s wishes by putting this car on the market. If you can get this machine for under $13k, that’s a lot cheaper than what a similar 1963-64 Studebaker Avanti would set you back.