Thinking about a buying a '63

[hotwirez]

I feel in love with the Avanti when it was featured in an article in the Dec '91 issue of Smithsonian Magazine. I was 16 at the time...and 32 years later and...well, now is as good as time as any to buy one, right? They're not to get any cheaper and I'm not getting any younger.

I'm not in any great hurry, but a red one offered by Silverstone Motorcars has caught my eye.

https://www.silverstonemotorcars.com/vehicles/813/1963-studebaker-avanti

I can't find much on the chassis number; apart from an ebay listing (https://studebaker-info.org/AVDB1/R2000/63R2296/63R2296.html) and a registration in '03 stating that it was currently being restored, but it was turquois not red.

I'm not too hung up on getting a 100% original car - my only 'must-have' is round headlight - obviously this one has been repainted...and has a dual master cylinder along with an aluminum radiator. Someone obviously took the time and effort to make it present nicely. I've asked the seller if they have additional info on the restoration.

But, as has been posted on here, all it takes is a few cans of krylon, bedliner and some 30W oil to make a car seem 'nice.'

So, here I am asking the age-old question - is it worth the asking price, or is it a money-pit in disguise? Is it priced too high, or is the one Avanti that everyone knows to stay away from? Anything in particular I should ask or check out?

Thanks everyone,

John

 

[psdenno]

I think I'd keep looking.  Yes, it's an Avanti and that's what you want.  But, it's been significantly modified with color changes inside and out.  Maybe that's OK, or maybe it's lipstick on a pig.  If you decide to go with this one have it checked out mechanically and structurally (frame, hog troughs, signs of crash damage).  

There are always Avantis for sale, so I'd keep looking for one that hadn't been so cosmetically modified.

[hotwirez]

7 hours ago, psdenno said:

I think I'd keep looking.  Yes, it's an Avanti and that's what you want.  But, it's been significantly modified with color changes inside and out.  Maybe that's OK, or maybe it's lipstick on a pig.  If you decide to go with this one have it checked out mechanically and structurally (frame, hog troughs, signs of crash damage).  

There are always Avantis for sale, so I'd keep looking for one that hadn't been so cosmetically modified.

Hey, thanks. And you're right - there will always be something for sale.

I was able to find 2296's restoration page on the wayback machine.

1963 Avanti (archive.org)

Makes you wonder what happened between Nov 2002 and the ebay sale in 2006.

 

[psdenno]

2 hours ago, hotwirez said:

Hey, thanks. And you're right - there will always be something for sale.

I was able to find 2296's restoration page on the wayback machine.

1963 Avanti (archive.org)

Makes you wonder what happened between Nov 2002 and the ebay sale in 2006.

 

Sixty year old cars have a lot of stories to tell....or hide.  Have fun with the search.  I'm sure you'll find the Avanti that's just right for you.

Dennis