1984 Studebaker Avanti II P/S P/W S/R Nice Driver

VIN 12AAV1239E1003994

Miles 78193

 

 

Avanti II saw few changes in the 1970s save those needed to meet federal safety
 and emissions rules. Among the more obvious -- and depressing -- was the ugly,

 rubber-tipped "cow catcher" grafted on to meet 1973's new five-mph bumper 
standard,
 although Avanti Motor Corporation was small enough to win exemption from the
 
required 21/2-mph side-impact door beams.

Also for '73, the engine was changed to Chevrolet's new detoxed 400 V-8. With net

 horsepower ratings in force for '74, the 400 came in at an anemic 180-bhp SAE net

 (245 gross). The 350 returned for '77 and would remain standard into the early 

'80s

 

With Nate Altman's untimely death in 1976, Avanti seemed to lose direction, at

 times appearing half-hearted about its product and its future. Workmanship 

declined even as prices, spurred by inflation, galloped upward (breaking $12,000 

in '76 and pushing $23,000 in '82).


Federal dictates prompted detail interior changes (mainly to switchgear) wrought
 with an afterthought carelessness suggesting less-than-professional engineering
 and design work. On the plus side, the firm reduced its plethora of paint and 
trim choices in the interest of higher build quality and lower inventory costs.
 But little money and effort were going into updating the concept, as Altman had done.
 Both car and company were surviving, but hardly thriving.

That was about to change. After rebuffing several buyout offers over the years,
 the Altman family and other Avanti board members gave audience to Stephen Blake,
 a young Washington, D.C., construction tycoon. Alas, Altman's death came only days 
after the parties agreed to serious negotiations, and another seven years would pass
 before Blake became owner, president, and CEO of Avanti Motor Corporation in 
October 1982.

Blake blew into South Bend like a tornado, rearranging work flow in the crumbling 
remains of the old Studebaker plant for improved efficiency and quality. He also 
resisted the UAW and dismissed many dealers, inking more businesslike contracts 
with established Cadillac stores in major markets.

Recruiting needed engineering talent soon resulted in several improvements: a 
switch to premium DuPont Imron paint (as on Indy race cars), greater use of GM
 components, optional body-color bumpers and black trim, square headlights, 
revamped interior, minor chassis tweaks, and an optional 190-bhp 305-cid V-8 
(versus 155 bhp standard) from the Chevy Camaro Z28. The name lost its Roman 
numeral "II" and returned to plain "Avanti." Most of these changes came together
 in a special 20th Anniversary 1983 coupe offered in solid black, white, red, or
silver.

Bolder still were Blake's plans for the first Avanti convertible (unveiled as a 
prototype in late '83) and a new drop-floor chassis with independent rear 
suspension designed by Herb Adams. Blake even made a stab at racing, entering 
an Avanti "GT" in the 1983 Pepsi Challenge 24-hour enduro at Daytona. Though
 it finished only 27th out of 30 survivors from a starting field of 79, its merely 
showing up suggested Avanti was moving forward again.

Fabulous original 1984 Avanti, the beloved icon made comfortable. Needs nothing 
to be  loved by the next owner.

 

Racing high heat starter, incredible leather all over interior, wire wheels, 
sunroof, electric everything.  Factory tools and manuals. A/C. Runs great, looks 
timeless. From Raymond Levay’s original designs. Fabulous, comfortable piece of
 kitsch.