Avanti Values?

[mfg]

Loooong story short:

1) Do your homework

and…

2) Keep in mind the old adage….

’There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap Avanti!!’

[Bob Preston]

2 hours ago, aardvark said:

You can easily get hosed if walking into a deal with an emotional bent and a "Gotta have it!" attitude.

Definitely. For someone who has to have the car, or is willing and able to spend without limits just for the sake of a restoration, none of the above applies. 
 

I have copies of receipts for the work performed on one of the vehicles I considered that total about $35K and that work was done 12-13 years ago. The 2 big ticket items were new paint and an engine rebuild. The paint was good, but far from flawless and there were a number of other issues that needed to be addressed, at least at the price point.

On another one the seller claimed to have receipts totaling $57K which included an engine rebuild and new paint in a non-original color, also about 12 years ago. For me, a repaint in anything other than the original color gets a substantial reduction in value, even if it’s a flawless paint job. It does create a unique and personalized car, however, I believe radical modifications can limit the number of potential buyers, regardless of how cool they may be. In this case, I discussed with the seller that the price was appropriate for that car with the correct color paint, which to me meant that it would need to be repainted in order to achieve that value. I offered just $3500 less than the asking price (much less than the cost of a quality paint job) but that was $1500 below the lowest price they were willing to accept. I wouldn’t come up because there would have been added expenses in a trip to see the car and have it transported. The color was the dealbreaker. The car was inherited and had mostly sat in storage for the past 12+ years. Now it continues to sit due to an emotional attachment. 
 

This, of course, touches on the sellers perspective. If there’s an emotional or sentimental connection for the seller they may want to reconsider the idea of listing the car for sale. 

[mfg]

I really enjoy driving my 1963 supercharged Avanti in nice weather, and occasionally enjoying a ‘cruise in’ type show.

I’ve met the nicest people over the years!

[aardvark]

 

Bob

I never could run on emotions for a purchase. Financially it was never possible and IF I did that, I couldn't afford to be in this Hobby/ profession (however You view it). I have to approach a deal as having a 50% profit margin or the deal is dead... Why?...I know there will be some repairs and modifications needed  IF I can't buy with a profit margin, I can't continue on buying the next one... You see. me selling off at a profit  is paramount to me continuing.

Current history is a 928 Porsche bought for $16k... a '63, R2 Avanti at $16k...a '02' Avanti for $19k. All are wonderful;l examples and are (as You call them) good drive, low mileage cars in near excellent  condition. I have 2 other VW purchases as well. So at present a few things are up for sale to re-coup my losses as well as pump up the $$ stockpile.

I'm far from wealthy and live on Soc Sec'y with a few side incomes..None of this would be possible if I went in to this venture with financial losses, a infatuation of a brand or needing multi $$$ restorations. These MUST profit or I'm financially dead in the water.

For those of You in different financial states, Carry on. Generally it's folks who are not burdened with finances that are my sellers.

 

MFG. 

We've been thru this before but my stance is that of a Business Model as well as a Hobbyist.. They can run synergistically.

Edited 1 hour ago by aardvark