What's a 'Parts Car' worth?

[wdaly]

Well, after 29 years of pretty happy ownership my Avanti appears to be possibly unsafe to drive (rusted frame).  It runs great (especially after I just spent $1200 on various worn parts).  It's a sad day.  Can't sell it as a normal drive-able car (cuz I'd never do that even though it looks pretty damn good).  I want this car to be useful to the AOAI 'Family' for future parts needs.  Of coarse it could always be rebuilt from the frame-off.  Any suggestions?  If this were ANY other car there would be no issue - including just donating it to one of those car donation outfits.

 

Bill D

[Gunslinger]

A lot depends on whether it's a Studebaker or Avanti II...engine, other accessories, etc.

[mfg]

If, other than the bad frame, it's a decent Avanti,...I'd advertise it for what it is.....a decent Avanti needing frame repair or replacement...and see what happens.

Remember, any solid 109" Lark frame will work under your car!

[wdaly]

To be clear.  This is one (one of the last) of the 343 '87-'88 Avanti-Carlos that were built.

[studegary]

On ‎9‎/‎1‎/‎2017 at 6:58 PM, wdaly said:

To be clear.  This is one (one of the last) of the 343 '87-'88 Avanti-Carlos that were built.

  

There are parts of the country, other than where you and I are, where a Monte Carlo frame without rust could be obtained.

I suggest putting it on eBay with a good description including the frame problems and noting what frame was used on these Avantis.  Start with a low opening bid to get interest and have a reserve price that you can live with.    

[Avanti83]

I like the idea of posting on Ebay with a reserve to see the value. My guess it will be minimal unless you hit someone that has a need for your car.

Realistically, a quick search of the net shows your car value from about $15,000 and up. With a bad frame, I can't find any but I'd be surprised if it was worth $4-5K.

Rolling frames seem to fit from 78 - 88 and have gone on Ebay from $200 to about $1000. You might consider either doing it yourself or finding a local body shop that will do it in their spare time as the difference in value looks to be $10 K or so.

Lastly, the frame doesn't look very complicated so you might also find a local weld shop and see what they want to repair the frame. It's interesting that it rusted out as even here in Michigan there are still a lot of those car on the road.

[wdaly]

Ahhhh, WELDING.  I happen to know a guy who might as well be a 'surgeon' welder (he replaced part of my 'A' pillar 7 years ago).  Wasn't sure you could actually WELD a frame as even my specialist hitch guy fabricated a hitch that was bolted on.  What I noticed yesterday (happened to be my birthday as well as the Avanti) was what I thought was a leaf hanging from the frame - upon closer inspection it was More of the POR-15 peeling off - that's when I saw a rusted crack where a weld once was and also the bottom where there is a hole for the body mount (missing) was now a hole about 3 times larger.  Not much left to this area which is where the front part of the frame attaches to the side frame right behind the front wheel on the driver's side.  Since the entire frame is 'questionable' I'm thinking of cutting my losses (so to speak) and chuck-it-in.  I'm 71 yrs old and getting tired!

You might ask how I saw this damage - I removed the black plastic covers years ago when I first noticed rusting and tried to do POR-15 the best I could (btw Zbart early on may have created some of this problem).  I could live with the seriously rusted and deteriorated metal system used to attach the frame to the body, But this actual frame damage has frightened me.

FYI:  These cars actually used the same doors, hoods, truck lid, hinges/latches, windows, wiper motor and headlights/tailights as the originals !

[Gunslinger]

A good body/frame shop (key word=good)  can repair frames.  They can lock the frame into a fixture of some kind that puts everything in the proper orientation and can then have welding done to make the repair.  A lot depends on how bad the rust is and how much of a repair is needed.  A body shop manager will tell you that most anything is repairable, it's just a matter of cost effectiveness whether it's worth repairing.

[studegary]

"These cars actually used the same doors, hoods, truck lid, hinges/latches, windows, wiper motor and headlights/tailights as the originals !"

Not the headlights.

[Avanti83]

  Since the entire frame is 'questionable' I'm thinking of cutting my losses (so to speak) and chuck-it-in.  I'm 71 yrs old and getting tired!

I still think before you cut your losses you should look into getting the frame replaced or repaired. Otherwise, I think you are leaving a lot of money on the table by "cutting your losses". I'm 74 and before I'd essentially give the car away, I'd be sure what the cost to repair vs selling the damaged vehicle was. Personally, I'd just replace the frame in my polebarn but that's possibly not an option for you. 

 

[studegary]

I am older than both of you.  I go along with cutting his losses and moving on - life is short.  Especially if you do not enjoy that type of work or dealing with what will probably be a long process in getting it repaired/replaced.   Put an honest description on eBay and see what it will bring.  Set the reserve at your absolute minimum.  You do not have to sell if it does not reach that minimum.  After the sale, you can move on, perhaps to another Avanti that you feel safe in.  

[wdaly]

Let me add that in no way am I complaining.  This was an everyday car with 145000 mi that I bought new (from a Lincoln-Mercury dealer that is now gone).  I got my use out of it as with any other car - I tend to keep my cars a long time - I have an old-school mechanic that assists in this.  After I traded-in my 1991 Aerostar with 204000 back in 2009 (it was always good and only traded because of chassis rot AND the 'Cash-4-Clunkers) I needed to still be able to TOW a small trailer.  The new 2010 Corolla is typical of modern cars in that it can't tow much (my 2013 Camry is rated for Zero tow weight) so the Avanti with the Big & rare V-8 was drafted into tow service!  Of course the Avanti isn't your ordinary car as even to this day people are approaching me with compliments.