For Sale: 1982 Avanti Avanti II in Concord, North Carolina

Iconic styling meets reliable components - that's why you want an Avanti II. And this rare 1982 example is preserved, loaded, and is absolutely interesting. So it's amazing you can get such a distinct coupe offered at quite an affordable price.

The Avanti was the boldest Studebaker to hit the streets, but it was also one of their costliest cars. The initial production only lived a few years, but there were a select few who understood the significance of the car penned by the legendary Raymond Loewy. They kept it going with small batch, handcrafted examples like this Avanti II. It makes for a car that is part of a rich history of a dream that was too beautiful to die. This example has a high degree of originality, but it has also received the right care under its most recent and long term owner (he had it for about two-thirds of this car's life thus far.) The beige paint remains highly original with proper touch-ups to give this a cool quality we love in survivor cars. And it's always impressive to have well-kept body panels that can showcase the Avanti's artistic blend of crisp lines and gentle curves. Chrome bumpers, wire wheels, and a rear luggage rack clue you in on how Loewy wanted to create a shape that mixed European and American influences into a design that looked beyond the 1960s... and thanks to the Avanti II, the style really did live on for decades.

The interior has the look of originality everywhere. The tuck and roll appearance of the dash, aircraft-inspired toggle switches, and wraparound gauge panel with full Stewart Warner readouts - it's all part of a very classic and cool presentation. There's even a CB radio! So while you may use the value price to invest in update/upgrades, this one already impresses those who love classic style. Plus, these were expensive cars when new, and so they came with great features, like well-bolstered front bucket seats, power windows, power locks, cruise control, and provisions for air conditioning (will need servicing to blow cold again.) There are also well integrated upgrades, like the Momo sports steering wheel and the Blaupunkt AM/FM digital tuner w/cassette. And rarely do we find a sunroof in a classic like this.

While this car was built in South Bend - just like the best Studebakers - the Avanti II motor is a Chevy 305 cubic-inch V8. So it's iconic styling on the outside, but the mechanical side of this classic is robust and easy to maintain. In fact, the current owner invested thousands in suspension maintenance when he bought it in the 1990s. And he has also replaced the alternator, steam cleaned the gas tank, rebuilt the carburetor, and had new lifters installed as recently as 2017. It makes for a classic that still knows how to start easily and run with confidence. Plus, with power steering, power brakes, front discs, and four-speed automatic transmission w/overdrive, this one really does have all the right ingredients to be a great anytime classic.

Complete with maintenance records and service manuals, it's amazing you can get this much distinction for such an affordable price. So don't miss out on a special Avanti II. Call now!