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Anyone recognize this red 1980s Avanti II convertible?

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  • Anyone recognize this red 1980s Avanti II convertible?

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    In scrounging in the attic I found this matted photo of a c1984-85(?) Avanti II convertible. It measures 20 X 25 1/2" and was professionally done in Dayton Ohio (see image #2). Was this a dealer showroom picture, from a private collection or ? I have no recollection of when or why I got it but was planning to list it on Ebay. Anyone know anything about it or have an interest in it?
    Richard Quinn
    Editor emeritus: Antique Studebaker Review

  • #2
    I believe that's a factory photo or it looks similar to a factory promotional photo I've seen numerous times on eBay.
    Poet...Mystic...Soldier of Fortune. As always...self-absorbed, adversarial, cocky and in general a malcontent.

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    • #3
      I believe that this Avanti is too new to be an "Avanti II". It is an Avanti convertible.
      To me, it looks like 1987 S/N ---27 that I was under contract to purchase new. The last that I knew, the car was in the Ohio/Illinois/mid-west area.
      It also appears the same, including colors, as the prototype 1983 Avanti convertible.
      I think that you would be safe in listing it as a 1983-1987 Avanti convertible.
      Gary L.
      Wappinger, NY

      SDC member since 1968
      Studebaker enthusiast much longer

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      • #4
        The car appears to be the 83 prototype commissioned by Steve Blake. Note the 63-64 front fenders with the larger wheel openings, and the mirrors and seats are not the Monte Carlo ones that Kelly used.
        Jim
        I was STUDEBAKER, when STUDEBAKER wasn't "KOOL".

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        • #5
          A NCSDC member owns a car something like this one. It's a prototype with no top.
          Jack White
          Charlotte,NC
          North Carolina Studebaker Drivers Club

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          • #6
            Could be the 'Wheel Of Fortune' Avanti.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by LarkTruck View Post
              The car appears to be the 83 prototype commissioned by Steve Blake.
              I believe that is correct. I will confirm it when I get home later as I have the Summer, 1983 issue of Special Interest & Cars magazine showing it being fabricated in Richard Straman's shop in CA.



              Here is from the Spring, 1984 issue of the same, showing a black & white photo of what RQ has.





              I actually got to sit in that car in 1986 when it was on display at Northwest Avanti Motors in Tacoma.

              Craig
              Last edited by 8E45E; 01-15-2014, 05:37 PM.

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              • #8
                Thanks for all the input. Wish I could remember where I got it!
                Richard Quinn
                Editor emeritus: Antique Studebaker Review

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                • #9
                  This is the Straman Prototype. It was commissioned by Steve Blake as his first convertible prototype. The later production convertibles are of a different design and were based on a second prototype. The serial number is RQB-3370. and it is in fact a 1982 Avanti! The rumored total cost was spent was about $100,000.
                  Richard Straman was well known for his conversions, and this car was built from a 1982 coupe in Costa Mesa, CA. It was in the movie Karate Kid.
                  George Rohrbach

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Georger View Post
                    This is the Straman Prototype. It was commissioned by Steve Blake as his first convertible prototype. The later production convertibles are of a different design and were based on a second prototype. The serial number is RQB-3370. and it is in fact a 1982 Avanti! The rumored total cost was spent was about $100,000.
                    Richard Straman was well known for his conversions, and this car was built from a 1982 coupe in Costa Mesa, CA. It was in the movie Karate Kid.
                    George Rohrbach
                    I saw it in person at Northwest Avanti in Tacoma in 1986, so it did make the rounds.

                    Craig

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                    • #11
                      Great info. Thanks. Wonder who owns it now?
                      Richard Quinn
                      Editor emeritus: Antique Studebaker Review

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                      • #12
                        In the movie it still had chrome bumpers and other older styling ques.
                        KURTRUK
                        (read it backwards)




                        Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong. -A. Lincoln

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                        • #13
                          The car that appeared in the Karate Kid, Fall Guy and Trapper John MD was a Florida Built 1977 model that kept its chrome bumpers and earlier trim details.

                          This car with the plastic bumpers started out as a regular 1983 model shipped to California for conversion.

                          Chris. Click image for larger version

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                          • #14
                            NCSDC member Ed Wingate's car (Never had a top)


                            Jack White
                            Charlotte,NC
                            North Carolina Studebaker Drivers Club

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                            • #15
                              I'm thinking the Wheel of Fortune car was an 1988. I think. cheers jimmijim
                              sigpicAnything worth doing deserves your best shot. Do it right the first time. When you're done you will know it. { I'm just the guy who thinks he knows everything, my buddy is the guy who knows everything.} cheers jimmijim*****SDC***** member

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