Leno and Avanti Convertible

[studegary]

On tonight's new "Jay Leno's Garage" TV show, they had a 1988 Avanti convertible in their comparative increase in valuation segment. The discussion was good except for Jay saying that production of the Avanti moved to Canada. As far as pricing, they said that it went from $15K to $25K over the past five years. (I hope that this is all correct as it is all from memory.)

[53k]

On tonight's new "Jay Leno's Garage" TV show, they had a 1988 Avanti convertible in their comparative increase in valuation segment. The discussion was good except for Jay saying that production of the Avanti moved to Canada. As far as pricing, they said that it went from $15K to $25K over the past five years. (I hope that this is all correct as it is all from memory.)

I don't think that Jay particularly cared for Avantis. In 2003 the Potomac Chapter made a Route 66 trip that ended at the Santa Monica pier. We were in the Los Angeles area for a few days and a local SDC member arranged for us to go to the Tonight Show as a group. In Jay's monologue he mentioned us then after the show, had us on the stage with him. He asked us if anyone had an Avaanti and when I said I did, he came over, put his arm on my shoulder and chatted with me about Avantis. I think I remember that he said he would rather have a two-door Lark with the supercharger and a four-speed.

[Xcalibur]

Leno's a gas-bag, imho. I'll not go into specifics, but misstating Canadian production fits.

[t walgamuth]

Oh he's ok but no expert on everything he says.

[sgriggs]

I get the impression JL doesn't care for Studebakers. I've never seen one on his show, while he features all manner of oddball and unremarkable foreign vehicles.

[bumpkinvilledano]

I get the impression JL doesn't care for Studebakers. I've never seen one on his show, while he features all manner of oddball and unremarkable foreign vehicles.

On one of the Jay Leno's Garage shows on CNBC, a year or two ago, he was doing the Assess and Caress segment. There was a Lark convertible R2 which I BELIEVE he stated was his.

The main thing I do like about Leno is he isn't afraid to drive his vehicles. No matter if it's worth more than most of us can imagine, he will still drive it.

[lschuc]

I was with Jay a couple of years ago when he toured through the Studebaker National Museum. We picked him up with Don Lindner's 2007 Avanti convertible at his South Bend hotel where he stayed, and brought him to the Studebaker museum, and then escorted him across the street to the Avanti Guest House.
He like the Avanti, but said he really wants a '64 Lark with an R2 engine and four speed transmission.

[Stu Chapman]

I was with Jay a couple of years ago when he toured through the Studebaker National Museum. We picked him up with Don Lindner's 2007 Avanti convertible at his South Bend hotel where he stayed, and brought him to the Studebaker museum, and then escorted him across the street to the Avanti Guest House.
He like the Avanti, but said he really wants a '64 Lark with an R2 engine and four speed transmission.

When he was in South Bend with Lew et al, he made a donation to the Museum. I believe the amount was $1,000.

Stu Chapman

[8E45E]

I think I remember that he said he would rather have a two-door Lark with the supercharger and a four-speed.

He like the Avanti, but said he really wants a '64 Lark with an R2 engine and four speed transmission.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all! I hope he finds the one that he likes!!

Craig

[daytonadave]

Maybe JL bought the 1963 R2 4 speed off "Bring a Trailer". Sold for $42,000.

[Commander Eddie]

Jay also had a 1958 Golden Hawk on the value comparison about a year or so ago and identified it as a 1957. He got most of the details right but not all. That car was the winner in the valuation increase over 5 years over the other two cars. I don't even remember what they were.