A BRIEF OVERVIEW

 

This is an ALL ORIGINAL, show winning UN-RESTORED Studebaker Avanti, pampered and preserved by an Avanti enthusiast family for 43 years. 94,000 fully documented original miles on this R1, automatic, AC full power option car. Original paint, interior, all numbers match with multiple show wins. With the sale comes a large notebook of fuel records, repairs, bill of sale, sales contract, window sticker, documents, brochures, manuals, literature, and AOA newsletters documenting this astonishing original car. This car has been identified as perhaps the most original 1964 Avanti in private hands. It is certainly one of the best preserved and road going Avantis in the world.

 

HISTORY

 

In 1965 my father purchased this Avanti.  He snuck out $3,500 from the family house savings account and bought the 3,800 mile car from the original owner, automotive journalist Joe Scalzo.  Although I was only 3 years old, I had no idea that this car would become a significant part of our family history, extending into three generations.  I also had no idea how angry my mom was with Dad.  At that time, you could buy a lot of really nice brand new cars for that money.  Not to mention put 10% down on a nice place to live. It would take another three years before we would be able to afford a house.

 

My father went on to be one of the first and most active members of the Avanti Owners Association in So. California. He would show the car for more than seven years winning more than ten first place awards in many large events including regional competitions and early concours. In 1973 he was assigned a case in Santa Barbara, Ca and used the car for the roughly 200 mi round trip commute three days a week for over a year (adding most of the now 95k miles).

 

In 1978 I began using the car off and on for fun and an occasional show. Dad would teach me how to drive on other cars but now and then I would get to drive this special one. Although the car was always garaged and meticulously maintained, by this time it was not a daily driver. In 1980 the car began burning oil so it was stored and occasionally started. In 1985 my father died and I became the third owner. In 1990 I delivered it to Jon Myer (Studebaker expert, then still in California) and had roughly $12k worth of mechanical work performed including a complete engine rebuild, transmission overhaul, brakes, and all mechanical systems refurbished to working condition. In 1992, my wife and I drove the car from So. Cal to our then home Seattle, Wa (a delightful and mechanically uneventful trip) where we spent nearly 6 months fully detailing and improving the car for some new shows. In 1994 we won first prize (judged by Studebaker Drivers Club experts) scoring 369 out of 400 in the “original class” losing only minor points for misc. details (nearly all of which have since been corrected). In 1995 we moved to Pennsylvania where the Avanti was registered for 4 years and maintained in my garage. In 1999 we moved to No. Cal and the Avanti has been with me, also parked in my personal garage. It is currently maintained by Studebakers West for any major repairs.

 

GENERAL CONDITION

 

The paint, interior, and all detail features on this Avanti are original and only general maintenance and needed repair have been done over the 43 years of family ownership.  The paint still shines as new and the vinyl interior remains as one of the nicest I have seen even on fully restored cars.

 

Paint – Avanti white and 99% original. The front tip of the right fender was repainted due to a minor ding from a parking incident. The repair was done professionally by an Avanti Club member in 1987 and there is no way anyone could possibly tell by outside examination. There are stone chips on the front of the car that I have carefully touched up with the correct paint using a hand detail brush. From three feet away these are not noticeable. There are some chips on the hood as well that have been filled with detail paint. The roof, sides, trunk and sail panel sections are all nearly perfect in presentation. When scored in original class this paint gets 9 out of 10, most recently 9.5 since nice original paint is getting harder and harder to find. In 2004 we scored 2nd place in an open class of 24 concourse cars in American Post War 1960-1971. First place went to a rotisserie restored 1961 Lincoln.

 

Interior – The interior is 100% original and has been perfectly preserved. The headliner is not chalky or flaky and is NOT sagging. The interior has never had any applications of Armor-All or preservative. My father always instructed me to only clean with warm water and mild bar soap and to wipe only, never scrub. The headliner color is the correct factory white and there has NEVER been any water damage to it. The roll bar cover is mounted securely and does not sag. The carpet is original and there are NO worn spots or visible tears. Some carpet areas are showing light fading but can be improved with a light application of carpet dye. There is an original clear plastic set of floor mats dating back to 1966 purchased from Frost and French (as were most of the parts for this car in the early years). Door panels and side panel vinyl are in excellent condition with no tears or gummy residue (often found in cars that have been overly Armor-Alled).

 

The Dash Pad - is perfect with no cracks or flaking and no areas where sun damage has creating warping or discoloration. The glove box door opens and closes smoothly and latches as does the smoothly operating vanity tray with mirror. Wood appliqué dash and other wood trim pieces are perfect. I replaced the overhead console clear plastic cover with a correct reproduction piece. Sun visors are perfect and not stuck or gooey. The steering wheel is in perfect condition and has a nice gloss. No cracks or fading at all. The correct black plastic inserts are in place and not warped or cracked. All instruments work with exception of the clock. Clock can be updated with quartz movement using the same dial face.

 

The seats are in perfect condition and have no tears or wear marks of note.

 

The door panels and armrests are in perfect condition with one noted item. The driver’s armrest has a .25” slight separation at the joint between the door pull. It is hardly notable but I wish to point it out.

 

All switches work. Blower blows but this year the AC has not been blowing as cold as in the past. It needs to be recharged and the system converted to the new stuff (last charge was in 1994). There is nothing wrong with the AC system as it is fully functional.

 

Glass -  (windshield tint band blue) in all parts of the car is in very good shape. The windshield has the expected pits from use but is clear and very nice. Side glass is in excellent shape and BOTH power windows work smoothly and evenly. The rear glass is nearly perfect but has a small mark (1” light scratch on the passenger upper side) that is essentially un-notable. The headlight covers have been replaced with plastic covers and are in excellent shape with no fogging, cracks, or crazing.

 

Trunk – Perfect original felt liner (not carpet as seen in many restored cars) as well as tire cover. No tears or leaks ever in the trunk. Slight scratches on the inner trunk backer panels from use. Spare tire rim is painted bright orange as my father had once painted all five rims orange before a major show (it was an error on the shops part but too late to fix and meet the show deadline). I kept it orange as an historical reminder.

 

General mechanical condition is excellent. The car cold starts quickly with two pumps of the pedal and a cranking of 3-4 seconds. The car runs very well and shifts perfectly. In 2007, Studebakers West rebuilt the transmission and it now shifts and stages perfectly. Front and rear shocks have been recently replaced (2008) as have all the critical suspension bushings. Rear leaf springs are original and have not been re-arched.

 

Engine compartment – Refurbished to correct original condition with the following non-original items. The fan shroud has been painted white (done in 1966), the hood insulation pad is a reproduction piece (added in 2007), the battery is an Optima (2000), the master cylinder cap is chrome plated (done in 1966) and the voltage regulator cap is chrome plated (done in 1966). All stainless is original and in excellent shape. Air cleaner maintains the factory textured top surface, not highly polished as is often the case in restored cars. Valve covers are chrome originals. All parts are present as the car left the factory with only minor changes to fasteners if needed and hose clamps for general use. All wiring is original and in excellent condition, including correct factory style wire wrapping.

 

SUMMARY

 

I do my best to drive this car once or twice a month and once a week I spend a little time detailing certain areas. I have struggled with selling the car for years but it is time for someone else to enjoy this car the way my father and I have over the past years. Every car must find a new home, if you want one of the best original Avantis in the world, then this car should find its home with you.