1963 Studebaker

AVANTI R-4 Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Manual

R-3852

Clear

Gasoline

1963 STUDEBAKER AVANTI - HI-PO R-4 SHOW-STOPPER 1963 raven-black Avanti 2door coupe with factory: air, power steering, power windows and rare am/fm radio with rear speaker. Built in March 1963, this is a fine classic Studebaker automobile that has been in continuous restoration by me over 23 years with 113,600 original miles. It has been restored, upgraded and cared for extremely well. I’ve had this fabulous car since early 1989. Over these past many years, a very high, but loving investment of my time, enjoyable effort, and funds have combined to develop this unique Avanti (that I have named “Raven”) into the special high performer and show-stopper it has become. Recently in 2006 it has been reconfigured to factory spec’s and equipment into the extremely rare R-4 high-performance model – including the factory spec rebuild and re-bore from 289 c.i. to 304.5 c.i., milled and magna-fluxed heads, new cam shaft, correct pistons, dual 4 BBL Carter AFB carburetors, rebuilt T-10 four speed, and optional Hurst shifter. There is less than 2,500 miles on all this very costly engine work!! It also has an NOS 3:54 rear end purchased from the factory stock that went to Newman & Altman. The car runs as good as it looks! Since the reconfiguration it has plenty of "go" to match its "show"! I take it out for exercise on a weekly basis, or to car shows and club meets. It performs as it should. The exterior is painted with R&M A946 Ebony Black lacquer; and interior is factory patterned vinyl with a custom saddle color by me. Both are show quality, although the driver seat piping has a separation in the seam covered by the seat back. The chrome is excellent. Raven is very, very presentable, as the pictures show, and turns heads wherever it goes! The powerful and completely rebuilt and balanced V-8 runs excellent, and as expected with this upgrade, sounds like a high-performance engine should, going through new OEM stainless steel dual exhausts. Every feature on this car works as it should, although the passenger side power window is a little slow and sticks at times. Just some of the other Items that I have replaced with factory OEM, or quality reproduction parts since owning the car are as follows (most are new): clutch, fuel pump, carburetors, air conditioner compressor, water pump, starter, battery and cables, distributor (converted to electric), voltage regulator, brakes, #409 stainless dual exhaust system, hi-efficiency radiator core, and on-and-on... Note - every dollar spent by me and every mile driven is documented in a log book that goes with the car, and supported by a nearly 4' stack of paid receipts in chronological order. All the work has been done correctly! As well as receiving “Best of Show” awards at several Studebaker, Avanti and local, State and International New Jersey and Florida meets over the years I have shown it, it is also a recipient of a coveted AACA Senior award winner. It has received many 1st. Place awards at similar events during the same timeframe. It also received awards in two (2) prestigious Boca Concours d’Elegance shows, and was invited to and participated in the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Car & Driver magazine ran a three-page pictorial special feature article on my car in their April 1994 edition. This printing brought long overdue attention to a tremendous car from yesteryear, from a fine company. In 2007 my car was featured and pictured on the cover of AVANTI, a Brooklands Road Test Book. On October 28, 2010 it was given a color feature article in Old Cars Weekly magazine. In 2011 it was featured in a wonderful article and picture spread in Avanti Magazine; and is currently in the Avanti 2012 calendar. Although Studebaker is no longer around, I believe this unique automobile has had unequaled success in creating a lasting impression -- a vehicle truly ahead of its’ time and true to its’ name -- Avanti, which in Italian means “forward!” I am 71, recently been through lung cancer and am involved with another restoration. It's time for the next person to own and enjoy the car. I hope you agree that the car will bring a lot of interest and add a zest of excitement to your life. This car is also for sale locally and I reserve the right to pull this ad at anytime. Buyer responsible for pick-up and/or shipping. Deposit of $1,000 within 48 hours of auction close; and full payment required within 7 calendar days of auction close. Call me for questions at 561-367-9389 or email me. Thanks for looking and happy bidding.On Jan-31-12 at 04:58:11 PST, seller added the following information: SELLERS RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON 1/30/2012: (1)The reserve is set at roughly 50% of what I have into the car over 23 years; and believe me a whole lot less than it would take to do today! Plus, all the headaches, and concern with dealing with body, upholstery, mechanics, re-chromers, etc. is avoided. Yes, the car is a numbers-matching car to all the original Studebaker factory documentation I have. The 4spd. BW T-10 trans. came from another Studebaker Avanti. It was rebuilt and installed in 2008 @ 113,000 miles on the car. (2) The logbook contains info. as to where, when and why the car was driven in date order, with mileage and odometer readings. It has EVERY show the car was entered in, and the MANY awards it received. It has the cost I paid for the car, pedigree info., expenses of the restoration, who did it, or where the parts were purchased from, with phone nos. and addresses, and cumulative amounts spent by major category. As stated in the ad, all money spent is backed by a complete documentation file. (3) The tires are Michelins XH4 W/W 215/75SR15 radials with 80,000 mile wty. installed at 106,800 miles. There was a set of 6:70X15 bias ply's that I used for the "better" shows, but they were sold with their wheels a few weeks ago.On Feb-07-12 at 07:57:21 PST, seller added the following information: CONFUSION CLEARUP: 1)THE VIN IS 3852, NOT THE AVANTI 1250 PICTURED IN THE ISSUE 155 OF THE AVANTI MAGAZINE - RAVEN WAS NEVER IN A WRECK!!!! 2) I SHOULD HAVE USED THE WORDS HI-PERFORMANCE IN THE AD TITLE RATHER THAN HI-PO, WHICH IS CONFUSING READERS INTO THINKING IT HAS THE 12:1 HEADS. IT DOES NOT!!! SO, IT RUNS FINE ON 93 OCTANE WITH AN OCCASIONAL OCTANE BOOSTER. IT LOVES THE PURE GAS WITHOUT THE ETHANOL.On Feb-07-12 at 08:10:03 PST, seller added the following information: RECENT EVENT OF INTEREST TO BIDDERS: FYI THE CAR HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN ACCPTED TO BE AMONG THE BEST-OF-THE-BEST ON THE FIELD AT THE BOCA RATON CONCOURRS d'ELEGANCE. THE WINNER CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IF HE OR SHE SO DESIRES. HERE IS THE E-MAIL FROM THE COMMITTEE: Dear Mr. & Mrs. A......., Congratulations! Your 1963 Studebaker Avanti has been accepted for entrance into the 6th Annual Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance on February 26, 2012. Your confirmation number, which is also your entry number, is H-21. You will receive an information package in early February with the show field details and parking information. Also included will be two complimentary tickets for entry to the car show on Sunday. On Feb-07-12 at 08:31:17 PST, seller added the following information: MORE PICTURES TO SEE: IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS I RECEIVED FOR PICTURES OF THE UNDERSIDE AND THE TRUNK, I HAVE ADDED THE LAST 7 ALLOWED TO ME BY E-BAY. THE TRUNK LINING IS MUCH BLACKER THAN THE PICTURES SHOW - THE CAMERA I HAVE WOULD NOT GIVE A CORRECT COLOR IN THE LIGHTING CONDITIONS I SHOT THEM IN. ALSO, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE CRACK IN THE BODY WHERE THE TRUNK CLOSURE IS DONE. FROM SLAMMING IT TOO HARD BEFORE I CHANGED THE WEATHERSTRIP. DOESN'T AFFECT SQWAT AND HAS NEVER WORSED. I DO NOT WORK WITH FIBERGLASS, BUT SHOULD NOT BE A REALLY BIG THING TO REPAIR.