Someone buy this Avanti

[JDP]

OK, the interior is wrong, but the BIN price is right.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/260815930159

[sals54]

JP, you're right on as usual. It would cost double the buy it now price to build this car.

[JBOYLE]

JP, you're right on as usual. It would cost double the buy it now price to build this car.

I agree, but at double the price it would likely be correct/stock.

[sals54]

But J, Correct is not always stock to a lot of folks. I haven't driven a stock Stude for 40 years. I love my car and all the others I've owned. Stock is furthest from my mind when I consider the value of a Stude. For example, the seats in this Avanti would be far more comfortable than stock seats. The color combo, the headliner, dash, carpet, etc. shows great aplomb and subtlety. Its a beautiful car. In fact the Avanti IIs were done much like this car, and they were considered at the time to be the logical next iteration of what the Avanti should have and could have become. In the end, its all just opinion, though, eh?

[jlmccuan]

Must have been a sweetheart deal. $4350 retail. Base price was $4545 before the R2, power windows, power steering, Powershift, etc. Retail would have been over $5200, with dealer invoice over $4100.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I don't care if it is 'stock'...
That car looks superb!
(and I like the builders taste....and I am not even an Avanti guy)

[jclary]

I don't care if it is 'stock'...
That car looks superb!
(and I like the builders taste....and I am not even an Avanti guy)

I agree, Jeff. Besides, who the heck would ever walk up to you and ask, (or even know) if it was stock. Even vintage car fans are normally so ignorant of or familiar enough with Avanti's to know the details. More than likely, you get questions like, who made that? What is it? What country is that from?

Just by the pictures, it looks as good to me and in some ways better than many so-called "stock" cars I have seen. The bold black paint really gives it umph!

[BobPalma]

Must have been a sweetheart deal. $4350 retail. Base price was $4545 before the R2, power windows, power steering, Powershift, etc. Retail would have been over $5200, with dealer invoice over $4100.

True, Jim....but with a serial number of 3930 and the deal written up October 10, 1963, the car had been around awhile and there were plenty of new, square-headlight units in the pipeline, dating this one even further.

More dramatic yet is the notation that the dealer will install a tilt wheel at his expense. That was significant; the cost of a whole new steering column and the not-so-easy job of installing it...and what would he ever do with the straight column removed from the car? It wasn't like a set of take-off tires, or an unwanted radio or wheel covers he could readily use on something else.

So you're right, Jim; with no trade, that was a slim (and, in reality, probably losing) proposition for the original selling dealer, especially since there was no trade-in on which he could hope to recoup some of his loss to deliver the new car.

'Not sure what type of factory kickback he might have been getting (if any) for delivering new, untitled 1963 models at that time, but there probably was something. We often don't realize the hits some dealers took to move this iron (or fiberglass) out of new-car inventory before they grew roots into the showroom floor.

And I agree; that is the most pleasant, tasteful non-stock Avanti interior I've ever seen. Well played. BP

[allstateguy]

Borrani wires, and a Nardi wheel, and WOW! That's all I'd change. The interior suits me fine.

[showbizkid]

Correct or not, I like that upholstery. I like it better than the factory vinyl! Nice car. Wish I had the cash.

[plwindish]

I agree with all comments about the interior. Being a turquoise car originally, it most likely had the blue and fawn interior which really dated the car. The interior is very tastefully done compared to some of the Avanti II interiors I have seen. This car puts me back in memory lane as my first car was a black '64 Avanti with round headlights. My current '76 has the identical wheels as the '63 has. That car will make some buyer very happy.

[JDP]

I'm shocked no one has pulled the trigger on this car. Even if you hated the interior, you could make the car stock for under 3K by selling the wrong stuff and making the car stock. I challenge you to do it cheaper with a say a 10K car needing paint, interior and more. Maybe the reserve will be hit and the car will go higher than the BIN. BTW, you'll grow to love the cloth inserts on a black Avanti at anything over a warm day without AC.

[Corvanti]

i'll put my vote in as to really liking the interior.
wish i had the $$$ right now!!!

[jnormanh]

Unless there's something wrong with this car that we can't see, I think it's a fantastic bargain. And like others have said, the interior is very, very nice.

[silverhawk]

If I'm thinking of the right car; I've seen this one in person. And it's very very VERY nice..... (I'm sure there is some paint damage on it, from my drool that is)