1963 Studebaker Avanti I bought this car about 9 months ago and really haven’t had time to do anything with it. I have way too many projects.... so I’m going to sell it. First off! I’m not an expert on Avanti’s! I’m not even close. I just think they’re cool! And with that being said here we go... 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1, 289 Studebaker V8, automatic, power steering, power brakes. Silver with red interior. The car is a nice example of a early 60‘s original car. The care has been painted at some time and has a very nice finish with only a few small everyday wear-type scratches here and there. Of course, no dents (because the body is fiberglass). There are also no cracks or seams showing on the body. The interior of the car is fine, with only a couple small sun cracks in the dash. The driver’s seat does have some cracks and wear. The inserts in the front seats have been replaced with a velour type material. The rear seat, headliner, door panels, kick panels and carpet are fine. Tires are almost new. The extra long original type battery is almost new and has a battery tender attached to it to keep it charged inbetween long periods of use. All of the ignition shields are there and under the hood is still pretty much the same as the car was when it was new. All of the glass is good -- no fogging, cracks or chips. All of the lights, switches and signals work fine. The under side of the car is actually very nice. The frame is in really good shape with only a light surface rust color -- NO FLAKES or RUST HOLES. Hog troughs are nice, not rusty or damaged. The car for the most part is an original (other than the repaint and front seat cover replacement). It’s a 72,xxx car with the usual 72,xxx mile wear and up keep. I don’t believe the car has ever had a complete restoration or do I think that the car has ever been abused or mistreated. Remember, the car is 46 years old. It’s not perfect, and I do think it is just a nice, nice old car that has survived. The brake system is NEW! The only thing I have done to the car since I got it.... I replaced almost the complete brake system...rotors, calipers, rubber lines (front & back), hard lines across the rear axle, rear wheel cylinders, springs, shoes, master cylinder, pressure switch -- basically everything you can still buy new for the brake system except a new power booster and hard lines on the frame. I bought all parts from “Studebaker International.” I believe it was around $1,000 for the brakes once it was all said and done. I also replaced all of the bearings in the rear axle along with seals, also the rubber bushings in the traction arms, glass beaded and painted the backing plates, painted with rear axle, traction arms, springs and so on. Also the car has new front wheel bearings, seals etc. and basically cleaned up the under side of the car the best I could without taking it apart. Bringing the grand total of repairs I have done to around $1,600.00. I also put a new ignition switch in the dash. Now with that being said, the car rides, drives and stops nice. It does still need a few things done to it -- a little TLC you might say. What still needs to be done... the front seal and oil pan gasket needs to be replaced on the engine... it leaks! I also think the transmission pan gasket leaks because it will leave a spot on the floor. The fluid levels never go down, but the car does leak. I think the car could use an all around good tune up. The car is very snappy, shifts good, etc. but it did sit around a lot before I got it and to be truthful with you, I haven’t driven the car but a couple of hundred miles, just to a cruise night once and once to Hannibal, MO and back (that trip is around 30 miles total). The car also needs exhaust. I have new factory replacement type mufflers but never put them on. The tach in the car doesn’t work, not for sure why if its a loose wire or what but I also have a new sending unit. The speedo isn’t working either. It did work fine until I replaced the ignition switch, now it doesn’t. I don’t know if I hit something under the dash or what, but I never had a chance to look. I’m sure there are other things the car needs... it is 46 years old. This is just the stuff I know for sure that should be done to it. I tried to be as honest as possible. It truely is a great car. It attracts more attention than you can imagine where ever you take it. When you park it someplace you just stand back and watch the crowd gather. They can’t believe it’s a 1963 car, not to mention the look on their faces when you tell them its a.... STUDEBAKER!!!!! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL ME 573-406-7573 or email me through ebay or my personal email: rmdesign@adams.net It’s MUCH easier for me to tell you about the car than to type it in this description. If you bid and win... be prepared to buy!! Buyer is responsible for any or all shipping charges or fees. The Buyer also makes ALL shipping arrangements. A non-refundable deposit of $2,000 is due within 24 hours of auction close. Balance is due at time of pick up in cash or by bank wire transfer before the car leaves my site. Do not bid if you are not prepared to buy! All sales are final... No warranties. The car is located in Quincy, Illinois, about 130 miles north of St. Louis, MO. I will work with any buyer as much as possible to make the pick up of this car as easy as possible. The car does have a clean Illinois title and is ready to go. AGAIN CALL ME AT 573-406-7573 WITH ANY OR ALL QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BID!! On Jul-24-09 at 10:45:38 PDT, seller added the following information: I've had a coupe of questions on the serial number for the car... it's car # 63R-3224 body # 63R-2332. Engine # R2283 Order # 12199 I have the car manifest from Nostalgic motors, it says the car destination was Merrick New York. It was a SOLD RUSH car, and was started on 1/25/63 and final assembly date was 2-13-63. description unit and equipment. 63R Q 3370 Avanti 13 P 6335 Avanti Gray 14 953 RDV 19 Automatic Floor Shift 34 Power Steering 54 Firestone Tires 55 White Sidewalls 72A Radio & Ant xxxx84 AC3289 L&R SOLD RUSH