Vehicle Description
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!
