TW Ad 1963 R2 Avanti

[jlmccuan]

Well the ad is out. I guess that means we really are parting with the 10,xxx mile Avanti. Hasn't seemed real until I saw it in print. We are doing a crash detail of the entire car in preparation for the Nationals, if we still own it then, or the new owners. Pulling together all the documentation and optional items to go with the car. I really was shocked at the amount of gear I've accumulated. We have a local show tomorrow and then next week begins the major detail work. Bitter sweet, but we've taken the car as far as we can and it's time for someone else to become its caretaker. At least I'm getting to build another Stude out of the deal. My wife is on board with the Bonneville car if it's paid for from the proceeds of the Avanti.

[StudeMichael]

Are you building a car for Bonneville, Jim?

[jlmccuan]

Yes, we are putting a '64 GT Hawk together to run in C engine class, Classic Production Supercharged. Building a chassis for Bonneville and a second for the street, using the same body.

[Milaca]

Hey Jim, how about you share the history of your Avanti. I'm sure there is a story to be told of how you found the car, how long you have had it, etc. It seems to me that every past purchase of a Studebaker has an interesting story to it.

[mbstude]

Hey Jim, how about you share the history of your Avanti. I'm sure there is a story to be told of how you found the car, how long you have had it, etc. It seems to me that every past purchase of a Studebaker has an interesting story to it.

Check your May Turning Wheels.

[jlmccuan]

Matt's article in the May 2011 TW tells the story of how the car came to life after 26 years in storage. Greg Meyers (Salt2Salt Racing) was the second owner who revived the car and sold it to me. I heard about the car here on the forum as a Craigslist ad. I immediately called Greg and asked to see the car. That was Wednesday. Saturday morning I was 14 hours north sitting in Greg's driveway. The whole trip there my biggest fear was there would be buzzards circling and there would be a bidding war, so I was greatly relieved to be the only guy there. But I knew I didn't want to spend a lot of time figuring out what to do. Word had been out for 4 days at that point and I knew Greg had had other calls. I knew before even driving the car I wanted it and could make it look as good as it ran. Many years ago I spent a lot of time reviving paint jobs and I felt this one could be saved. So without hesitating, I loaded the car and brought it home. We began cleaning and polishing. Fortunately, there was plenty of paint left ( I doubt it had ever been rubbed out). The gloss on the car now is probably better than when it left South Bend, but it's still all factory paint. The interior was perfect with the exception of the headliner, so a new headliner was installed. It took several cleanings to get the smoke film from the original owner. Greg had left her cigarette butts in the ash tray as a reminder, but I couldn't take the smell so I removed them and placed them in a ziplock bag. The car had 5200 miles when Greg got it and about 2000 more when I got it. It's now at 10,xxx and may make 11,000 by the time the new owner takes possession as I'm feeling the need to drive it before it's gone.

Interestingly, one of the reasons Greg sold me the car was to help fund his Bonneville car. Then he took me to the Salt and got me hooked. So beware if you buy this car it has side effects.

As a side note, my wife says she'd love to sell the car to an Australian SDC member and deliver it to them. So maybe a discount for a buyer from down under...

[Bob Andrews]

I remember that story well. I was quite interested and waiting in the wings if you didn't grab it. Much better times then...

[Milaca]

Check your May Turning Wheels.

Oh yeah....now I remember!

[jlmccuan]

Bob, I knew my only hope was getting there ASAP. Fortunately, Greg is a gentleman and didn't schedule several potential buyers for that weekend. The competition would have been fierce once folks actually saw the car in person. The Craigslist pics didn't do it justice. Super original and unmolested. I only wish the SDC had the preservation class for this year's nationals.

[sweetolbob]

Jim

Always hate to see 'em go but at least there's less remorse if it funds a new endeavor.

Just a thought, but a link to the ad might be beneficial.

Ultra nice vehicle.

Bob

[studegary]

I had to go back and pull my June TW. I couldn't understand why I didn't remember your ad. Then I discovered a very small, free ad without a price (price less = priceless).

[jlmccuan]

We barely made the deadline as it was. Web content is close to done. Depending on what all the new owner wants in terms of extras and spare parts $50k. Too much for most, I understand, but even if you spend $500K restoring one, it won't be a 10,250 mile original.

[jlmccuan]

The beginnings of the pics. Will be adding more of detail pics and documentation on the car.

http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x...view=slideshow

[mbstude]

Jim, have you got Frushour helping with the detailing?

[jlmccuan]

Taking it tommorrow for a week at his shop for pro body, interior and under car detailing, then back home for final engine bay detail before Springfield. Lot of effort for a car not being judged. I would offer it for use in the Preservation Class seminar if anyone was interested.