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Gee… if this Avanti is “decent”, I wonder what a really nice one looks like????

Hello Bobcat!…. The tilt steering column Studebaker used in Avantis, as well as the tilt column used in early ‘A’ series Avanti ll’s, was a tilt column common to mid sixties GM vehicles ( Buick, Olds ) and although replacement parts from those GM tilt columns will interchange with the tilt column Studebaker used, the columns themselves are not directly interchangeable. Around ‘70- ‘71, when the ‘B’ series Avanti ll’s came to be, an entirely different tilt steering column was used. This later (Saginaw) column had the ignition switch mounted in the column, and is still very common these days, as it was used in ‘B’ series Avanti’s at least thru ‘85, and also used in ‘70-‘90+ GM, Chrysler, and AMC vehicles.

Here is the URL: https://www.worldwidevintageautos.com/vehicles/20939/1963-studebaker-avanti-r2 --Dwight

These guys may be of help. I don't know if they can supply a steering column, but at least they advertise that they fix them correctly. --Dwight

I don't know exactly when the change to an impact absorbing steering column was made...but the '70 Avanti RQ-B I owned had the original design steering column that Studebaker used. Avanti Motors...being a small volume producer...received a temporary exemption from some safety standards from the feds to phase in compliance with safety standards. My car was built in September 1970 so it had to be after that date...likely around 1971 or possibly even 1972 before the change was made. Does your '72 have an impact absorbing steering column or the standard Studebaker unit? An option is to buy a modern, custom steering column through Summit Racing or Jeg's. That would be a brand new unit rather than one that might require refurbishing.

MFG, do you know what specific vehicle the tilt steering columns in the Altman cars came out of? Mine is a '72 model.

Any chance that you can provide some pics of those linkage rods and gear sensors?

Agree.. Makes sense

For $32K I would hope it would be “decent”!!!

That makes good sense!

There’s a decent looking 63 R2 (3479) at Worldwide Vintage Autos in Denver for $32K.

Look for an early ‘A’ series Avanti ll being parted out… Several of those used that same column.

I want to add a factory tilt column to my 63 Avanti. Does anyone have one they would part with or know where I could get one? Thanks!

There are a few things that affect the value not seen in the photos, such as the air cleaner housing needing rechroming (and no NOS or repop available), dash pad needs replacing and is covered by a mat, etc. I price them realistically to move. If I do more work to improve the value, I'll increase the asking price accordingly.

Are you lucky enough to have original Rochester carburetors on that Caribbean twin-four intake manifold?

Ok then..

Actually, I can and I did. The evidence is pretty solid to support my statements about declining values in the classic car market. There are certainly exceptions, but they are very few.

I’m sure glad my 1956 Golden Hawk (56J) is factory stick o/d with power steering…. Our resident 56J guru indicated that only about 150 or so were equipped that way!!

Some cars have come down,, others. seem to rise. You can't make a general statement on the entire Collector Market.

I certainly respect the experience and knowledge of a former classic car appraiser. It is their job to determine a fair market value for a vehicle without bias. Individual objectives also come in to play. It may be beneficial, in some cases, to sell the car in a timely fashion and move on to the next project rather than wait months or years trying to get top dollar for the car. Like it or not, classic car prices are in decline and have been for several years. A quick sale at a reasonable price may be the prudent option. In your example of ask for X and anticipate Y, when Y doesn’t hit the table then one may need to consider that Y is still too high of a price. Otherwise , the inevitable outcome is having a collection of items that have perceived values which exceed reasonable market values.

You ask for X and anticipate Y.. and if it falls to less than Y, ya don't sell and find another method to advertise. Disagree that $25-30K is a sellers price for a car of that caliber.. It definitely is a Buyers price.

Just have the one, and it's going on 56J no.1. Both of my 56Js have P.S., but I've become shiftless in my old age and will stick with automatics. --Dwight

$25-30K is in alignment with actual selling prices for cars in a similar condition. Declining prices are quite the trend across the board for many classic cars. From what I’ve seen, there’s a minority of sellers who price their cars reasonably.

I like the updated seat belts!

Pretty car, but I would start at $40k... maybe higher. After all, it is a original R1. Anything in the $25-30k range seem to need some work and has some minor flaws.