Road & Track Test from June 1984

[Packard53]

In June 1984 Road & Track road tested a new 1984 Avanti. The 1984 Avanti came equipped with the 305 Chevy engine with a Rochester 4V carb. The engine was rated at 180 horsepower with a torque rating of 240 lbs behind the engine was a 4 speed hydra matic. For the most part R&T had very kind words for the Avanti.

Below are the speed times for the Avanti
0-30 mph 3.1 seconds
0-50 mph 6.1 seconds
0-60 mph 8.4 seconds
0-70 mph 11.1 seconds
0-80 mph 14.2 seconds
0-100 mph 25.2seconds
1/4 mile in 16.3 seconds at a speed of 85.5 mph.


John S.

[Gunslinger]

Considering the time period and contemporary cars, that's probably on par with the better cars of the time. Even cars like Corvettes didn't have too much grunt. You would have to spend big bucks on foreign sports cars to better those times to any considerable margin.

[JBOYLE]

For fun, let's compare those numbers with a Studebaker Avanti.

Motor Trend tested an Auto R-2 in July, 1962:
0-30: 3.1
0-45: 5.2
0-60: 8.0
1/4 mile: 15.8 @91 mph.

Sports Car Graphic tested a 4-speed R-2 in Feb, 1963:
0-30: 2.9 secs
0-40: 3.5
0-60: 7.9
1/4 mile:16.1 @ 93 mph

Road & Track tested a 4-speed R-2 in Oct.1962:
0-30: 2.9
0-40:3.9
0-60: 7.3
1/4 mile: 16.2 @ 88 mph

Car Life tested a R-1 with auto in Dec. 1962:
0-30: 3.5
0-40: 4.8
0-60: 9.1
1/4 mile: 17.2 @85 mph

As much as I hate to admit it, the smogged, heavier (4065 lb), lower hp GM-engined 84 model gives a good account of itself compared to the Studebaker car.

[Packard53]

JBOYLE: Just for the fun of it was were the final gear ratios in the Avantis you listed. The final gear ratio in the 1984 test car was 2:87to1. The base price of the Avanti was $31,860 FOB South Bend With all the options on the test Avanti it had a list of price $36,385.

John S.