1984 Avanti Avanti

Description

The measure of great design is how well it ages, and the incredible Avanti is one of only a handful of automobiles that has survived for decades virtually unchanged, a testament to its brilliance. This 1984 Avanti packs reliable GM power, a sumptuous leather interior, and that timeless look that still draws attention today like it did fifty years ago.

Surviving as an independent brand for all those years, the Avanti company has an interesting story to tell and it's worth looking it up to hear it all. For the purposes of this handsome coupe, all you need to know is that it was built in the same Studebaker plant in South Bend, Indiana as its ancestors using the same blueprints and much of the same tooling, so it has an authentic look. The sweeping, aircraft-inspired shape was radical in 1963 and double so today, especially when bathed in its original silver beige paint. Sophisticated and artful, the paint has a few touch-ups here and there, but ultimately shines up beautifully and seems to defy the years as it looks quite good overall. The body-colored bumpers and square headlights are the only real deviations that the factory made from the original design, yet they're nicely integrated by Avanti and we think they look just right on the car. Fit and finish are quite good considering that the car was largely built by hand and years of conscientious maintenance have resulted in an Avanti that looks great and fits together well.

The stunning burgundy leather interior is befitting a car that cost more than twice what a new Cadillac cost in 1984. The front seats are the original Recaro seats which allow numerous custom adjustments to fit each occupant perfectly and have been recently re-upholstered with genuine leather, as it was originally. The dashboard, instrument panel, and center console are original are pure cool, but are starting to show a little wear here and there. The comprehensive set of gauges are all individual units with Avanti markings, not some cluster taken from a production car. That's a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel that probably cost a small fortune and the beautiful bright metal console features the same aircraft-style toggle switches that were so striking when the Avanti first hit the market. Of course, with the factory original updates this car includes modern conveniences like A/C, power windows and locks, a sunroof, an AM/FM/cassette stereo, and cruise control, so it really is a full luxury machine. Plush carpets show minimal wear and the trunk is finished to match.

Underneath, it's tried-and-true GM hardware featuring a 5.0-liter HO V8 borrowed from the Chevy Camaro. With a 4-barrel carburetor and factory hardware throughout, it's powerful and surprisingly fast, and with a 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission it's a superlative highway cruiser. It starts easily with a bark from the dual exhaust and settles into an even idle without complaints. Receipts indicate that this car has always been properly serviced and new parts include the radiator, fan, power steering pump, alternator, and more. The undercarriage is original and untouched, showing signs of age but no evidence that it was ever used in a snowy climate. The ride/handling compromise is sporty without being too firm, so it remains a car that you can comfortably drive every day. And for that splash of old-school luxury, those are the original Dayton wire wheels fitted by the Avanti factory, with recent Goodyear radials.

With stacks of maintenance receipts, factory literature, and other paperwork, this is a no-stories example of one of America's last truly independent automakers. Call today!