71 Avanti on Ebay..whats it worth?

[RobertSuren]

White on White 71 Avanti on Ebay.Anyone have an idea what its worth?

Thanks

[CaffeineRacer]

Whatever someone is willing to pay for it!!

But really. It's hard to say. The Avanti II market is difficult to gauge because it is a car that requires the right buyer which happens to be fewer and farther between than say a mustang. Maybe someone can chip in that has sold an Avanti around that vintage recently.

[warren55]

We need a lot more details, but even then (as stated above) it's hard to say! I've seen them go pretty cheap, I'm sorry to say.

[mfg]

I like this Avanti!...the paint, chrome, and interior all VERY nice! (Never seen so much white)...Seller says rust free frame and troughs, Real wire wheels, Turner brakes etc....Really looks to be someones BABY!... Also, I believe it's a late "A" series Avanti ll, which was still very much Studebaker. This car is worth 12-15 thousand all day long (IMHO)

[warren55]

I broke down and found the listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Studebaker-Avanti-Coupe-1971-avanti-restored-factory-350-corvette-engine-/301435566562?forcerrptr=true&hash=item462ef5b9e2&item=301435566562&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Looks like a nice car, have a member in the area look it over for you. (I bought mine in Florida and did just that) I paid $15,000 for mine, but I'm pretty sure I over paid. That would be for one in perfect condition which mine was not. It's getting close, though!

[GAWen]

I had a recent professional evaluation done on RQB 1600. My car is not nearly as nice as that one but the evaluation was in excess of $14,000.

[Gunslinger]

The car is an RQB, though without the serial number that's not definitive. A '71 would be an RQB plus the fact it has the Command Center bucket seats which were RQB installations. None of that makes any real difference, though.

There has been some modifications for either personal reasons or maybe to reduce costs of repairs. The dash and console inlays have been painted white over the original Tenite walnut appearing pieces....maybe to hide wear or avoid the cost of replacements. The steering column should be painted walnut to match the steering wheel but has been painted white...same with the center cap...painted white rather than the original chrome. The chrome rims of the gauges are painted white as well...why? The original engine apparently has 146+k miles...depending on how it's been maintained over the years could be a negative or a non-issue...another item in question.

What about that aftermarket turn signal switch attached to the steering column (if that's what it is...it appears to be). If the original turn signal switch is bad, NOS are available with no need to add such an abomination as the one shown.

The car was originally a different color since the engine bay paint is different from the body. There's been additional wiring run through the engine bay...it could've be done more neatly for better appearing photography. While that can be taken care of what are the wires for and what's the quality of the installation?

None of that really means much overall but it would be interesting to know why it was done and what level of quality was done to accomplish that. The car looks good overall but photos can do that. When I bought my '70 long distance the photos looked good and the seller said the frame and hog troughs were good...I found out different when the car was delivered and that added to the reconstruction costs I planned on anyway. I don't want to pick the car apart, but an Avanti (or many older cars) can be a real nightmare if it has issues not known up front. More than Avanti owner has discovered that.

This car does demonstrate why an Avanti II can be a good buy if the price is right...they were all custom cars to start with and can be personalized without worrying about "originality" and "correctness" without hurting its market value if that's important.

This car is a fairly early Altman car. If it had a 4-speed transmission that would be a plus. Accepting the car and its description at face value, I would think a fair market value would be in the $15-$20k territory. A personal inspection might change that...higher or lower. I know Avantis are somewhat uncommon but the free market doesn't value them highly. A damn shame all things considered, but that's real world.

[RobertSuren]

Thanks for the imput.I went to see this car & with the exception of a leaking (minor) power steering valve & a bad A/C compressor,It is almost perfect.I'm thinking between 13-14K could buy it.Any other coments would be appreciated.I have a gold 71 Avanti ,I paid 7K for 3years ago & have since sunk 4K in it.It doesn't compare with this one.

[Gunslinger]

If the car is as advertised and you can pick it up for $13-$14K, it looks like a good deal.

[RobertSuren]

Thanks for your imput Gunslinger.I'm going to make the owner an offer off of Ebay.

[mfg]

The dashboard mounted keystart ,early Stude Avanti tilt column, and Studebaker Avanti steering wheel indicate this is a late "A" series Avanti, which are somewhat rare in their own right, and in nice condition usually bring more $$$ than the 'B's"....However, the serial number will be the deciding factor here..... A or B........Good luck!

[Gunslinger]

Avanti Motors didn't transition to the impact absorbing steering column and column mounted key switch until sometime in the '71 model year. My '70 is an RQB and has the Studebaker setup.

[warren55]

Please let us know if your offer was accepted. Always nice to know the outcome of these things!

[Guest dapy]

Bidding ended at $13,255 with reserve not met. IMO that was a fair price for model year and condition.

[silverstude]

It's RQB-1613... Long time Florida car..

[RobertSuren]

Sold for $14000 off Ebay.

Oh Well

[mfg]

Sold for $14000 off Ebay.

Oh Well

Probably a good deal for someone....Maybe a future AVANTI FORUM member!!