Up for auction is a late 1964 Studebaker Avanti. As collectors realize, the later the production date on the Avantis, the better the car. Running changes and improvements were done as field problems arose. This Avanti is very late in the run, serial R5299, the last one being 5643. This particular Avanti was stored in a warehouse since the early seventies until I purchased it last year. It is unusual as it is the original Avanti red color with the black interior. It came equipped with the R2 supercharged engine, four speed transmission and power steering. All very desirable in the Avanti world. This car has just shy of 24000 miles on the odometer. The interior is very nice but the paint is not. It was repainted in lacquer and done poorly back in the sixties. The paint is cracking in many places (the worst areas pictured) and will eventually need to be redone. The paint looks good from twenty feet but not up close. The original black interior is very nice including the seats, dash pad, door panels, rear deck, roll bar cover and original waffled white headliner. The one comment I have is that the original black carpet was replaced with a high quality red/black salt and pepper style similar to a 63 Avanti carpet. Again, this was done prior to its storage. The clock and tach do not work but everything else does. The chrome is straight and again looks good from twenty feet but should be replated after the car is painted but suitable for a driver. The underside of the car is solid. The hog troughs, frame and rear cross member tube are all solid with only surface rust from storage. The exhaust is good and tight, however, it is what was on the car when I purchased it. The car is an original R2 4 speed car but the supercharger had been removed and it has been reconfigured as an R1. Converting back to the R2 spec can be done as parts are still available. Reconfiguring to the R2 supercharged specification will run anywhere from $1500 to $3000 depending on how quick you want to do it and how astute a buyer you are. It is a great driver as is, without the potential problems that come with any car after the complexity of the supercharged option is added. Personally I would drive it now and enjoy it, accumulate the R2 parts and when the right time comes along, paint the car and convert back to the R2. I arranged to sell the car last summer to a person who wanted it mechanically ready to go when he was to pick it up in the fall. It was ready to go as planned but the economy gave the buyer cold feet so I still have the car. A good deal of money and a lot of work and time was expended bringing this car back to being road ready. The following is a basic list of what was accomplished: First the engine and transmission were removed from the car and the engine compartment was cleaned and repainted in two stage urethane to the original Avanti red metallic color. The front control arms were removed and new rubber control arm bushings installed. New gas shocks were installed on all four corners. New traction bar bushings installed in the rear. The power steering control valve was rebuilt along with the power ram cylinder. The power steering hoses were replaced with new. New nylon bushing installed in the clutch linkage. While the engine was out the freeze plugs were removed and the water jackets and outside block were thoroughly cleaned. The pan was removed and the front and rear main seals replaced. The main and rod bearing were inspected and looked ‘as new’ so they were left alone. The pan was reinstalled and the engine assembly was painted back to the original black. The valve seals were replaced and lash set. The flywheel was removed and resurfaced and a new clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing installed. The fuel pump, water pump,all hoses, belts, plugs and wires, air cleaner, etc. are all new along with a new viscous fan clutch. The gas tank was removed and flushed. All rubber gas lines were replaced. The brakes were overhauled using stainless calipers up front with new pads, rebuilt rear cylinders with new shoes, new master cylinder and all rubber brake lines replaced with new. The tires and battery were also replaced. The surge tank was removed and professionally dismantled, cleaned, resoldered, and pressure tested. The alternator and starter were removed, dismantalled, cleaned, lubed and reassembled. I modern electronic voltage regulator was insatalled in the original can. I am sure there are many more items I can’t recall. I’ve put about a hundred miles on it in the last few weeks and I would say this Avanti is ready to drive and enjoy this summer. If you have sincere interest and intend to bid, I would encourage you to email me and I will forward my phone number so we can discuss the car in more detail. It is for sale locally so I reserve the right to sell outside of this auction. Although I believe the car is in ready to drive condition, remember, it is 45 yrs old and things can happen so there is no warrany or guarantee what so ever.