Blake's GT

[mfg]

The one and only 'Avanti GT', manufactured under Steve Blake's administration, is considered to be a ......?...... model.

1) 1977.......2) 1980.......3) 1982.....or.....4)1984

[r1lark]

I'll say it was 1984, that it was the 'prototype' for a planned '86 production car.

Here are a few pics I had:

 

[studegary]

6 hours ago, mfg said:

The one and only 'Avanti GT', manufactured under Steve Blake's administration, is considered to be a ......?...... model.

1) 1977.......2) 1980.......3) 1982.....or.....4)1984

My answer is 3.5) 1983.  It was a 1983 model Avanti that was raced at the Escort Happening in 1984.

[r1lark]

6 hours ago, studegary said:

My answer is 3.5) 1983.  It was a 1983 model Avanti that was raced at the Escort Happening in 1984.

 

[mfg]

8 hours ago, studegary said:

My answer is 3.5) 1983.  It was a 1983 model Avanti that was raced at the Escort Happening in 1984.

Sorry, 1983 model is incorrect.

[mfg]

r1lark............Sorry, 1984 model is incorrect.

(Thanks for posting those GREAT photos!)

[studegary]

4 hours ago, mfg said:

Sorry, 1983 model is incorrect.

It looks like you disagree with John Hull on a post-Studebaker Avanti item.

[mfg]

2 hours ago, studegary said:

It looks like you disagree with John Hull on a post-Studebaker Avanti item.

I'm not disagreeing with John Hull....however, the information I have indicates that this very special Avanti is neither a 1983 or 1984 model. (Info published in Avanti Newsletter # 63)

Any other thoughts on this?

[studegary]

6 hours ago, mfg said:

I'm not disagreeing with John Hull....however, the information I have indicates that this very special Avanti is neither a 1983 or 1984 model. (Info published in Avanti Newsletter # 63)

Any other thoughts on this?

John Hull referred to it as a "1983 Avanti GT prototype coupe".  He also states that it started "as a 1977 coupe body" and "was completed in early 1985"  even though it competed "on August 11 and 12, 1984."   

Perhaps you are looking for 1977 since that is what the body started as.  

[scottgriggs]

I was going to say 1977 also, because I had understood that the "donor car" started life as a 1977 model.

[wapanzica]

The VIN on the fire wall is RQB2611 (1977)  the VIN in the door frame is RQB4103 (1984) and the SCCA Recognition Form from Aug 6, 1984 called it a 1985 so we can go with that but there are also references to it being a 1985 1/2.  The car is now registered in Indiana as a 1984 per the 17 digit VIN code it came back from Mexico with.  Confusing Right.

 

[mfg]

5 hours ago, wapanzica said:

The VIN on the fire wall is RQB2611 (1977)  the VIN in the door frame is RQB4103 (1984) and the SCCA Recognition Form from Aug 6, 1984 called it a 1985 so we can go with that but there are also references to it being a 1985 1/2.  The car is now registered in Indiana as a 1984 per the 17 digit VIN code it came back from Mexico with.  Confusing Right.

 

Yes!....Definitely complicated!....I was going with #1, 1977, because apparently when it was auctioned at Louisville, KY. in 1987 the paperwork that accompanied the car indicated that it was indeed a 1977 model Avanti 'Factory Prototype'.

Edited May 28, 2019 by mfg

[studegary]

4 hours ago, mfg said:

Yes!....Definitely complicated!....I was going with #1, 1977, because apparently when it was auctioned at Louisville, KY. in 1987 the paperwork that accompanied the car indicated that it was indeed a 1977 model Avanti 'Factory Prototype'.

The basic body used was a 1977, but it did not become an Avanti GT until many years later.  

[mfg]

1 hour ago, studegary said:

The basic body used was a 1977, but it did not become an Avanti GT until many years later.  

Yes, that's what makes this question a bit complicated....The car 'originated' in 1977....however, it was completely recreated in '83-'84.

I suppose the correct model year of this Avanti is a matter of opinion,  although for registration purposes I lean towards it being a 1977. (Just my opinion!)

[scottgriggs]

I saw this car in Louisville when it was auctioned in 1987.  Don't know what it sold for.

[wapanzica]

Does anybody remember who the auction house was in 1987?  What was the date and location of the auction (not just city but physical location)?  I am gathering all the info I can for the GT and auction records would help a lot.   The renovation is going full steam.  I am still looking for interior photo's from the race so if anybody has some let me know.