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 December 31, 2025 by aardvark

[mfg]

6 hours ago, aardvark said:

 

 

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.

Well, I hope you reach your financial goals… I never knew any hobbyist that had to so strongly consider the present and future financial aspects of purchasing in Avanti. (other than automotive repair shop or body shop owners)

However, any way a person can achieve their goal of Avanti ownership is a good way I guess. (Other than stealing one!!!)

More power to you, Good luck & Happy New Year!

[aardvark]

MFG

As. said in multiple ... this is a Hobby and Business at the same time. Every deal I've made on vehicles I meet the sellers expectations so there is never a hard feeling finishing the deals. No Stealing..IF that's the implication,... (In fact the '02' Avanti I gave the seller full asking price) The purchase numbers are real and the profits are already in place ''at time of purchase''. What I'm seeing is these values have escalated over the 2 years I've owned the 3 vehicles I listed (above). So I'm better than my 50% goal on the profit margin.

You see, the upside is I get to own and drive these beauties without fear of financial losses. That, my Friend is  Goal. #1... Goal #2 is I eventually move on and profit well.

(Got the Porsche and a VW up ''for sale'' now to possibly cover the Avanti purchases and then all is well on my financial front.)

Edited December 31, 2025 by aardvark

[mfg]

It would kill the enjoyment of owning my cars if I had to bank on that they would  increase in value…..

I mean, it certainly is nice if a profit is made when a car is sold, but most experienced car collectors know their lucky if they break even.. and generally they lose a few bucks on the deal….

That’s just the nature of the animal aardvark…. Anyone DEPENDING their collector car’s value will go up may as well roll the dice in the stock market.

[Bob Preston]

2 hours ago, aardvark said:

So I'm better than my 50% goal on the profit margin.

You’re siting on unrealized gains. Of course, those “gains” are based on values that you have placed on the vehicles. Frankly, if I were engaged in a hobby/business where profitable sales were essential, I’d be selling as much as possible at 10%, 50% or 200% profit. Doing so could put you in a position where profit is no longer a factor. 
 

No disrespect, but you present yourself as someone who is the equivalent of “real estate poor”. You have a lot tied up in vehicles, your cash reserves are down and you can’t buy another car unless you sell one or two. That’s the message I’m getting, maybe I’ve misinterpreted what’s been said. 
 

You also seem to be trying to time the market, which rarely if ever yields positive results. My advice, take the profits. Rinse and repeat. 

[aardvark]

Bob. I don't make moves to lose. I have had 67 vehicles in my life. I've lost on very few.  The few I've lost on have given me a little wisdom..

There is a top to what I can put out and right now.  I'm near that but why do You see it as a problem? The assets are in house and in time they move and get replaced... This year is a shift.\

Also when profit is no longer a factor... in my opinion, You lose touch with sensibility. It's an expensive game and every transaction is to be studied.

I know this goes against the Hobbyists in general, So be it.... You might be a future seller... Beware.

 

[Bob Preston]

12 hours ago, aardvark said:

There is a top to what I can put out and right now.  I'm near that but why do You see it as a problem?

Where did I say it is a problem? I simply shared my interpretation of some of the things you’ve said in this thread. It is of no concern to me that you need to buy and sell cars at a profit in order to take part in the hobby of collecting classic cars. What strikes me as peculiar is the level of animosity you seem to have toward others who aren’t concerned about making a profit on every vehicle they buy. Those folks are your customers. 
 

“Beware” of what? FWIW: I have a truck and a motorhome currently for sale, both at prices below what I paid for them. That makes me a seller. With the exception on one motorcycle that I owned for a short period of time in the 1980’’s, every vehicle has been sold for less than the price paid and I haven’t counted the number or totaled the losses. That may make me a foolish, out of touch loser in your book, but I’m satisfied with my lot in life. 
 

All the best. Happy new year. 

[aardvark]

Bob. 

You assume too much when it comes to my methods and motives. I haven't, and won't do that of You..

Who has animosity? Look back at your allegations and opinions.

If You've lost on nearly every vehicle You've owned... You're a ''Typical American". We as Americans spend more on Vehicles than Housing... Sad part is Vehicles generally depreciate but Housing increases in value. So in general the largest expense used to be Housing but that has shifted over the decades.. Now it's vehicles.

My background is as an Architect and Builder as well as a Designer of other items. I try my best to move forward financially... not sustain losses every time a New Model of vehicle comes out (pointing to New Car Byers here),  How UnAmerican of Me.

So... IF You are losing on most every vehicle, You might be a future seller, but in Your case I highly doubt it, Your wise enough to not sell less than market, so to me,, Your out.

Edited 3 hours ago by aardvark

[ronmanfredi]

Each of us has our own motives when buying and selling cars.  And actually, it's no one else's business what they are and we shouldn't be attacking each other about this.  If you stated your motives and the results, then you should be done posting about it and let others do the same.  It's 2026 and time to start the New Year out right enjoying our cars and the fun and help that we get from other owners and their cars. Here are mine, let's see yours!

[aardvark]

Ron.. I started the thread to see how others approach buying and selling. I don't cut down others. What I do do is state my methods and thoughts... Take them or leave them...

Seems like my methods hit a nerve in some and they get obstinate about things.. They can buy/sell/enjoy as they see fit.

.....................

Nice barn full of vehicles..Bro-Man

[mfg]

28 minutes ago, ronmanfredi said:

Each of us has our own motives when buying and selling cars.  And actually, it's no one else's business what they are and we shouldn't be attacking each other about this.  If you stated your motives and the results, then you should be done posting about it and let others do the same.  It's 2026 and time to start the New Year out right enjoying our cars and the fun and help that we get from other owners and their cars. Here are mine, let's see yours!

Amen!…. And  those are very ‘cool’ vehicles!!

[aardvark]

Agree, but many just want to rag on others for their methods.. Sometimes a stand seems to be proper.

 

[Dwight FitzSimons]

We should all do what we enjoy doing.  For me, working the Studebaker market to make a profit is business, and there's nothing wrong with being a businessman, as long as one is honest.  And, I've seen nothing in the preceding posts to indicate that anyone here is anything other than honest.

But, business doesn't interest me; that's why I majored in engineering and physics.  Accordingly, I am currently fixing up a neglected '63 Avanti in order to see it back on the road (even though I know I will take a loss when I sell it).  That's where I get my satisfaction.  There are others like me.

Stay tuned: someone will get a good Avanti cheap.

--Dwight, powered by Studebaker & Packard

Edited 2 hours ago by Dwight FitzSimons

[mfg]

I hear you Dwight!

“My boring side story”…..In 1968 I purchased a 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk. I owned it for twelve years, drove it regularly, and eventually gave it an amateur restoration… Entered it in car shows, It was my first ‘decent’ car, however, I eventually sold it in 1980, moving on to Avantis!

Fast forward forty one years and that same Hawk comes up for sale…. neglected and left outside for all those years.. most folks would have considered it to be a ‘parts car’ at best!

Well, something inside me could not let ‘my’ Golden Hawk be scrapped… I bought the car back (for probably too much money) in 2021….

Over the last four years I have given the car a ‘decent’ restoration, bringing it back to life… The restoration included  finding and purchasing a solid Hawk frame, and, of course pouring in more than a few dollars. (I did all work myself)

Although I didn’t ‘need’ this car, as I already own a pretty nice 1955 President Speedster, (a very similar Studebaker), I had to save my boyhood Studebaker!

I will never again sell this Golden Hawk, and if I did sell I’d no doubt lose more than a few bucks, but in some cases money becomes secondary to emotional attachment and accomplishment…..

56J’s Forever!!!!!

 

 

[Bob Preston]

1 hour ago, aardvark said:

You assume too much when it comes to my methods and motives. I haven't, and won't do that of You..

Then help me understand, because your words suggest otherwise. Since the get go you’ve been focused on your ability to buy cars that magically appreciate in value by at least 50% once you hold the title. But anyone who would pay your price has to be a fool with more money than brains, because an intelligent person would pay the price you paid. There’s no way your buyers can make 50% unless they find a bigger fool. 

40 minutes ago, aardvark said:

Agree, but many just want to rag on others for their methods.. Sometimes a stand seems to be proper.

 

This is the pot calling the kettle black. 
 

The cars that I’ve lost a small fortune on were tools that allowed me to get to work and make a larger fortune. I bought a number of used cars while working. The people that sold them to me lost their asses and so did I. Now, in retirement, I’ve starting buying new cars as daily drivers because I have the cash flow and I no longer need to focus on saving money. 
 

An interesting fact about real estate prices is that if your house doubles in value, so does every other house in the neighborhood. Unless your willing to downsize or move down market and realize some of those gains the increase in value useless. 
 

You may have started this thread to see how others approach buying and selling, but you only seem interested in talking about your method and you’re quite dismissive of other methods. Again, that’s just my take on your words. 

[Dwight FitzSimons]

56J's forever!!!

Yes!  I have two of them, both almost rust free.

Stay tuned: someone will get a good 56J cheap.

--Dwight, powered by Packard

[mfg]

3 minutes ago, Dwight FitzSimons said:

56J's forever!!!

Yes!  I have two of them, both almost rust free.

Stay tuned: someone will get a good 56J cheap.

--Dwight, powered by Packard

Another ‘J’ owner… NICE!

Would you have an extra Caribbean intake manifold you’ve been tripping over and want to sell????

Mine… stick o/d with p/s!

[Bob Preston]

On 11/15/2025 at 4:22 PM, aardvark said:

So, we have the Original '63-64's, Following that comes a slew of '65-85?'s , then the 2001-2007's.

The question is what are the average sell prices in all 3 categories? Please if possible break to down into those 3 segments.

Lets use a 1-10 category and yes a 7 as a focus point..Not a perfect method by any means but an educated guess is desired.

You actually started this thread to ask about average selling prices. Or so it seems.