1983 Other Makes

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

12AAV1231D1003776

Gasoline

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false '83 Avanti, Serial # 3776 Black with tan interior. Purchased from original owner in 2004 and presently stored. First owner replaced original Chevy 305 with a Chevy 350 to give the car a bit more punch. (He had owned a '63 R-2 Studebaker Avanti with the supercharged 289) 110K miles on the car, but less than 15K on the 350. Automatic transmission, wire wheels, new tires, new battery, stainless steel dual exhaust, and a new 6-CD changer installed in trunk. Interior upholstery is in excellent condition with the exception of two spots - one small tear in the left-rear quadrant of the driver's seat nearest the door at the connection of the seat back; and a worn spot on the driver's armrest. The carpet appears to be original, and although it is in relatively good physical condition, it has faded and should probably be replaced if the car is to be shown. The right-rear interior light lens is damaged and needs to be replaced. One of the rear vent window cotter-pins also needs replacement. All cockpit gauges are operable, but the dashboard controls are a bit sticky and warrant some attention. The plastic bezel for the console shifter is cracked but intact. The new radio that was installed in '04 in conjunction with the installation of the CD-changer is not working, but the reason has not been fully investigated. Both power window motors were inoperable when the car was purchased on '04. The driver's window motor was replaced and is working fine, but a replacement motor that would work with the passenger window was unavailable at the time, and is still needed. The fiberglass is in good condition with the exception of a minor tear located under the front bumper. A larger tear in the right-front wheel-well which was present when the car was purchased in '04, was repaired and strengthened with carbon-fiber. The chrome-colored lens frames around the front parking lights are missing. The vertical rubber bumper guards on the front and rear have been removed and stored. The hog-troughs have been assessed by a local automotive restoration shop and have been found to be in good condition. A portion of the frame was cut-out and replaced soon after the car was purchased in '04. The vehicle seems to have a small short-circuit which tends to drain the battery. For that reason, the battery is kept disconnected when the car is stored for any length of time. The problem should be properly diagnosed and corrected by the next owner. The bumpers were removed in '04 and re-chromed and replaced, but the rear bumper is again showing one small spot of chrome failure about the size of a nickel. The exterior paint is only in fair condition due to scratches in the gel-coat. This vehicle has been driven less than 1,000 miles since it was purchased in '04, and deserves more focused attention than I can give it at present. I showed the car this past spring at a local gathering and it received a lot of attention from the crowd due to its unique Raymond Lowey design. It is a car that should be owned by someone who can take it to the next stage of restoration, and by someone who has more time to drive and enjoy it.