What's wrong with this? The distance?

[Sam Ensley]

I'm surprised this car isn't bringing more money. Maybe the upholstery?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-Av...item256109647c

[PackardV8]

"Custom" doesn't always mean improved, no matter how many thousands of dollars were invested. Some will feel the result looks less like an Avanti and more generic Corvette/Nissan boy racer.

And yes, distance is a factor. When a car is in the ass-end of nowhere, it dampens the enthusiasm of those bidders who can count on another $1-2k to get the sight-unseen car to them.

The good news is the seller has gone above and beyond to describe the car as accurately as possible.

jack vines

[Bob Andrews]

I think it's the customization. I personally like it, but too many fail to realize that the farther you deviate from stock, the smaller you make your pool of potential buyers.

New custom paint is worth zip to a buyer if he doesn't like the style underneath.

EDIT: Looking at the hog trough shots scare me- they look like they might be cobbled up and freshly rattle-canned. Or they might not. Too far from me to check, so that would kill my interest right there.

[Bob Andrews]

And yes, distance is a factor. When a car is in the ass-end of nowhere, it dampens the enthusiasm of those bidders who can count on another $1-2k to get the sight-unseen car to them.

Thanks, Jack. Exactly the case for me. Many West coast/SW sellers cannot understand or don't believe this. Location is a constant killer for me.

[gordr]

That is a pretty nice car. Montana is pretty close for me, but neither the color nor the body mods really turn my crank. I expect the body mods might indeed help with high-speed stability, though, and maybe improve engine cooling.

[studegary]

I'm surprised this car isn't bringing more money. Maybe the upholstery?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-Av...item256109647c

I think that the car looks okay and is at about the correct price for it.

I am currently bidding on two cars in California, including an Avanti, but with my figuring transportation to NYS into the bid, I usually (not always) get outbid on west coast cars. I don't think that location is the problem. Remember, there are plenty of people on the west coast to buy these cars.

I don't know where some of these people get their production figures (and they are always low). He shows "142" where I believe that there were 173 1979 Avantis.

[Carl Purdy]

I like the wheel opening. They look more rounded up. There is room for a 1954 Desoto grill in the front.

[PackardV8]

I like the wheel opening. They look more rounded up.

At first glance, I thought, "That isn't so bad." The more I look at the photos, the more I see where the customizer worked hard to deliberately destroy every body line which established the Avanti as unique. The wheel openings were parabolas which described the flight of a balistic missile; no other car ever had those. The coke-bottle lines of the lower body and the way they curved in horizontal and vertical planes. The worst offense for me was the way it completely obliterates the harmony of the rear end. Your opinions may vary.

jack vines

[Studedude]

What's wrong with this? The distance?

Everything is close to somebody... distance is a relative thang. <G>

[E. Davis]

Jeez Jack, Fairfield, Montana is hardly in the "ass-end of nowhere". Its only 40 miles from Great Falls and Dang, we have trucks, trains and big stores just like you civilized folks in Spokane. I'll bet we could get that car shipped even if we had to do it by ox cart.

[rockne10]

EDIT: Looking at the hog trough shots scare me- they look like they might be cobbled up and freshly rattle-canned. Or they might not.

In one shot of what appears to be the rear edge of the right trough, I detect a couple of pop rivets under that fresh black paint.

[aarrggh]

It has the original 8 -Track tape player !

[N8N]

Maybe it's just me, but I think that simply lowering the car rather than adding the skirts would have had a much better visual effect...

nate

[JRoberts]

I have no idea what the price on such a car should really be, but I like the looks of it. Naturally the questions concerning the hog troughs is a troubling one. I don't see the interior being the car's strong point, but I have seen much worse. Like most of the east coast responders, the distance would be a real downer for me.

[PackardV8]

Jeez Jack, Fairfield, Montana is hardly in the "ass-end of nowhere". Its only 40 miles from Great Falls

My wife has relatives from one end of Montana to the other, so I know it fairly well. Sorry if the truth hurts, but geography is geography. If Fairfield, MT isn't near the ass-end of nowhere, where is? The only way that car could be further away from the major US population centers is if it were in Yellowknife.

and Dang, we have trucks, trains and big stores just like you civilized folks in Spokane. I'll bet we could get that car shipped even if we had to do it by ox cart.

And I did say you could get that car shipped from Fairfield to anywhere for $1-2K, didn't I?

(Hope no one else in Montana reads this. I have to go there again in a month or so. ;>)

jack vines