Bob's Resource Website
1963
R-3484
You are bidding on a 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1. It is a numbers matching car - the chassis, body and engine are as indicated on the original build sheet (a copy goes with the car). I have owned the car for 4 years and do not have the time to complete the car. My lack of time is your opportunity to own this piece of automotive history. It has been garaged since at least 1984.
The engine is completely rebuilt. The following parts are new: pistons/rings (.030 over), valves, valve springs, lifters, main and rod bearings. The crank was reground (.010/.010) and the rotating assembly was balanced. It has new crank and cam gears. The cam was reground by Clay Smith Cams in California. The fuel pump was rebuilt. The brake master cylinder and front brake calipers are rebuilt and there are new wheel cylinders on the rear. The suspension is in good shape. The power steering pump is rebuilt; the power steering ram and piston should be rebuilt, they leak. The kit for the piston will be provided with the car. It has brand new wheels (Wheel Vintiques) and tires. It has all new radiator and heater hoses as well as new fuel lines and hoses. All of the lights work. There are several parts that come with the car, including many NOS parts. These parts include several door and window seals, an NOS rearview mirror, side mirrors, and one extra motor and transmission mount. Also included is an original repair manual and a reproduction parts manual. The chrome and emblems are in good shape -the front bumper is in great shape, the rear is straight but could use rechroming. The body was originally Avanti White but has been repainted a pale yellow. There are a few nicks and scratches from sitting in a garage for the past 20+ years. The hog troughs are in great shape; the frame is also in great shape. The car has a brand new, correct, battery. It has an aftermarket air cleaner.
The carburetor appears to be original, and although it’s been rebuilt, I cannot get it to idle properly. The only gauge that works is the ammeter; as far as I can tell the others do not, but I have not done any troubleshooting. The alternator only puts out 8 amps and will need to be checked out. It comes with an original voltage regulator but I do not know if it works. The wiring for the alternator and regulator is there but is not connected. There are a few other things that will need attention, most notably the interior. It was redone in 1984 in brown naugahyde with brown carpeting. The interior was originally orange vinyl with the salt and pepper orange/black carpet - I still have a couple of scraps of both I found while removing the carpeting because it was musty smelling from sitting for so long. You will notice in the photos that I have started to assemble missing parts for the interior, such as the fiberglass piece that covers the shifter. You will also notice that the steering wheel is covered - it needs to be rebuilt or replaced. The right front corner of the body has evidence of body work around the parking light. The body work did not completely match the original contours of the front fender and it should be massaged to get it completely right. The power windows work through the original switches, but the car is missing the relay and circuit breaker. The car does not have the rear chrome vertical guards or their brackets. I have only driven the car in and out of the garage so I do not know if the transmission functions properly.
This is a good, solid car for a fair price that needs someone to finish it.