16000 mile Avanti

It's all in perspective... I've seen others blaming JP and those like him for driving prices *up* on other cars :)

I'm just glad I already have a nice Stude because I really do think that prices are going to only increase in the future. I've already resigned myself to the fact that the only Avanti I'm going to own is sitting on my bookshelf right now :(

nate

IMHO, you buy a Studebaker (or any other classic) because you love the car, not because you hope to make money on it in the future. Collector cars as investments suck unless you bought one 40 years ago and sat on it that long. Trying to recover what you spent on restoration costs is like trying to plug a leaking dam with bubble gum.

Mark

satdoc2 via CarKB.com wrote: I am restoring a 63 R2, and already have over

Its going to cost that much to restore ANY car regardless what it is!! There's a 'regular' here that appears at all the local all-make car shows who's obsession is Isettas, Messerschmitts, and other German microcars. His constant word of warning to people who wish to restore one is they aren't any cheaper to restore than a Mustang or a Camaro.

Craig

Jeez John, you've got enough Karma to last two lifetimes. I wouldn't worry about wasting any of it on a little ole Avanti.

Mark

John, what's your guess on why a 16000 mile car would need a new paint job?

Craig, What I wrote JP is just "Food for thought". I'm not mad at anyone. In fact John has been a lot of help to me in my Avanti project and I appreciate him very much! We all agree that it costs close to the same to restore any vehicle, but have you checked the selling price of a restored Mustang or Camero lately? People who buy them at that price do so because they love them. Aren't there any "Studebaker Lovers" left? Isn't it time to show how much we do? Allen

The point I was trying to make is some conclude that just because a particular make of car is not in high demand, or is 'simple and small' like an Isetta, they automatically assume its going to be a 'cheap' restoration. Not so! Indeed, you want to have an appreciation or an attachment to the vehicle to want to restore one, and don't expect to get ahead if you sell, and consider it a bit of a bonus if you do. I can attest to that myself restoring a '63 Diesel. I figure in 2006 I just MAY be able to 'break even' if I had to sell it. (Not the case 10 years ago when I started on it). I'm still not counting hundreds of hours in labor or incidental material costs like sandpaper, grinding wheels, sand for the sandblaster, assorted nuts & bolts, et al.

Craig.

I take my Hawk to about 10 car shows or cruise-nights a year. More than half the time it is the only Studebaker there. How is the market for the marque going to be developed if we don't show our cars? Tim K.

"Developing the market" is a double edged sword. More people with Studes, more interest, higher prices. More repop parts become feasable. Prices rise to the point where some people can't afford the cars. On the bright side, there are still plenty of bargains out there for those of us with the disease who seek them out. Studebaker George

Studebaker has to be one of the rarest and most unique collector marques that can cater to the extreme ends of the affordability spectrum. One starting out can still buy a decent Studebaker such as a '65 Commander sedan for the 2K mark, while someone who may have a little more 'fun money' to spend can go well over 100K for a mint '31 President Four Seasons Roadster. Happily, both can mix and feel at home at a SDC meet with all the others there in between. I have yet to meet someone who can't afford a Studebaker of some sort.....

Craig.