1990 Avanti Four-Door Sedan

28 Bids Winner - gostude
8:06 PM, 18 Oct 2022Vehicle sold
Sold for

€8,400

Winner - gostude

Background

In receivership in 1933, Studebaker had been revitalised by 1939 and in May 1946 became the first major American manufacturer to announce an all-new design with the introduction of its 1947 range.

Created by two of the greatest automobile stylists of all time - Raymond Loewy and Virgil Exner - the sensational new Studebakers featured a straight-through front wing line, lowered bonnets and, in the case of the Starlight Coupé, an astonishing wrap-around rear window.

For 1950 Loewy's studio came up with another landmark of automotive styling in the form of the 'Bullet Nose' Studebakers that had clearly been influenced by the coming of the 'Jet Age'.

Called back to Studebaker in 1961, Loewy and his team were charged with developing a new range for 1963 and in a miraculous 40 days produced an instant classic: the Avanti.

A fibre-glass-bodied two-door coupé, the controversially styled Avanti arrived too late to save the ailing company, and fewer than 5,000 had been made when production at Studebaker's South Bend, Indiana plant ceased in 1964.

This was not the end of the Avanti story though. Two local Studebaker dealers - Nathaniel Altman and Leo Newman – bought the tooling and recommenced production in part of the old Studebaker factory in 1965.

Over the coming years there would be many changes of ownership, specification, and places of manufacture before the last Avanti rolled off production lines in Cancun, Mexico only a few years ago, though the unique shape remained virtually unchanged throughout its lifetime.

This four-door Avanti LTS Touring is one of just 90 ever built and would have been one of the very last to leave the factory during the era of John J. Cafaro’s ownership.

It is based on the chassis and mechanicals of a Chevrolet Caprice and has a 5-litre V8 Chevy engine.

  • 12AAV44A1L1001084
  • 58042
  • auto
  • Black
  • Black
  • Left-hand drive

Vehicle location
Nieuw Vennep, Netherlands

Background

In receivership in 1933, Studebaker had been revitalised by 1939 and in May 1946 became the first major American manufacturer to announce an all-new design with the introduction of its 1947 range.

Created by two of the greatest automobile stylists of all time - Raymond Loewy and Virgil Exner - the sensational new Studebakers featured a straight-through front wing line, lowered bonnets and, in the case of the Starlight Coupé, an astonishing wrap-around rear window.

For 1950 Loewy's studio came up with another landmark of automotive styling in the form of the 'Bullet Nose' Studebakers that had clearly been influenced by the coming of the 'Jet Age'.

Called back to Studebaker in 1961, Loewy and his team were charged with developing a new range for 1963 and in a miraculous 40 days produced an instant classic: the Avanti.

A fibre-glass-bodied two-door coupé, the controversially styled Avanti arrived too late to save the ailing company, and fewer than 5,000 had been made when production at Studebaker's South Bend, Indiana plant ceased in 1964.

This was not the end of the Avanti story though. Two local Studebaker dealers - Nathaniel Altman and Leo Newman – bought the tooling and recommenced production in part of the old Studebaker factory in 1965.

Over the coming years there would be many changes of ownership, specification, and places of manufacture before the last Avanti rolled off production lines in Cancun, Mexico only a few years ago, though the unique shape remained virtually unchanged throughout its lifetime.

This four-door Avanti LTS Touring is one of just 90 ever built and would have been one of the very last to leave the factory during the era of John J. Cafaro’s ownership.

It is based on the chassis and mechanicals of a Chevrolet Caprice and has a 5-litre V8 Chevy engine.

Video

Overview

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax (9%) on top of the winning bid price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 9% Dutch import tax plus 21% VAT on the hammer.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to drive the car, and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV.

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds.

All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation. Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection.

Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as The Market by Bonhams receives your payment, the accounts department will send a release note to the manager of the storage facility where your car(s) is stored.

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.

STORAGE CHARGES - €30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES - €500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond).


Chassis number: 12AAV44A1L1001084.

The odometer reads 58,042 and is calibrated in mph.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition, we think it is a good example of an extremely rare piece of automotive Americana.

We believe it entered the vendor’s collection in 2013.

Enquire about this vehicle or book a viewing

Our photos, video and write-up are fantastic but there is no replacement for seeing something in person

Exterior

This car’s glossy black finish has a depth of shine you only ever get with gel-coat applications on fibre-glass.

It’s almost mirror-like and gives the car an even more striking appearance than that already created by its rather contentious and opinion-dividing design.

The bodywork is free of any cracks, warps, holes or creases of significance and the

panel gaps and shut lines seem consistent and even.

The lights, badging and exterior trim are in decent condition.

There are some scuffs to the rear passenger side door and, on top of the front wing on the same side, there are some scratches and cracks in the paint.

There are some stone chips around the front of the car above the bumper, on the bonnet and the edge of the bodywork just below the bonnet.

There are a few paint chips on the driver’s door and some missing paint on the leading edge of the rear door on the driver’s side.

There is a small nick on the roof, some paint missing below the boot, and a nick and some cracked paint on the edge of the rear bumper.

The filler cap does not sit entirely flush with the bodywork.

Interior

The luxurious interior of the car is really very good and has held up well over the years.

It is certainly highly original and authentic, as far as we can see.

Aside from a few creases to the driver’s seat and a scuff on the rear passenger-side seat, the black leather upholstery is in fine condition.

The front passenger seat’s reclining mechanism is faulty and needs some attention.

The carpets are decent. The mats are rather colour-faded but are otherwise undamaged.

The headlining and door cards are in good order, as are the car’s various wooden veneer inserts and panels.

The interior of the surprisingly small (by American standards) boot looks good, too.

We can’t vouch for the full functionality of instruments, dials, buttons, knobs, switches or levers because we haven’t started or driven the car.

Mechanical

Everything in the engine bay seems to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car appear to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

History

This car doesn’t come with any history or service records beyond what is shown in the photography section.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery in any way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

Summary

From what we can see, this exceptionally scarce, built-to-order 1991 model year Avanti LTS Touring Sedan is in very strong condition overall.

This car will turn heads and draw attention wherever you go and you’ll be a long time waiting to park next to another one. Provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning.

We’re confident to offer this marvellous car for auction with an estimate of €8,000 - €14,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in a bonded warehouse in Amsterdam, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

About this auction

Seller

Private: undefined


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

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