1988 Avanti II Convertible

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

This very special collection is offered from Dr. Karl Peace, an esteemed collector dedicated to the Studebaker marque. Following his donation, in its entirety, of his car collection to the Georgia Southern University Foundation, the collection is offered, entirely without reserve, via Hagerty Marketplace.

There’s no mistaking an Avanti! By the introduction of the Avanti II, the radical styling of the initial version had evolved, yet the front end maintained the same characteristics that continue to make the Avanti immediately recognizable: a long hood, no intake grille, single headlights, and slender, blade-like fenders that protrude forward from each side. To make the grille-less design work, air was smartly ducted into the radiator through a scoop hidden below the bumper.

Built by The New Avanti Corporation under the direction of John J. Cafaro from 1987-1991, this handcrafted, fiberglass-bodied Avanti II Convertible was built on a Chevrolet Monte Carlo chassis and received General Motors’ 5.0-liter, V8 engine. Company advertising called the car “the best kept secret in the American automotive industry,” noting that “the mystique that surrounds the Avanti has created a loyal group of owners who promote its many virtues to the large number of people who are not familiar with this unusual automobile.” Luxuriously expensive when new, the Avanti II Convertible retailed at $45,000. Adjusting for inflation, that’s almost $120,000 today!

Highlights 

• Offered from the Dr. Karl Peace & Georgia Southern University Car Collection 

• Rarely seen Avanti II two-door convertible  

• Offered with only 15,974 miles at the time of listing 

• Powered by a 5.0-liter, Chevrolet V8 engine producing 170 horsepower 

• General Motors “700R4” four-speed automatic transmission 

• Classic Avanti front-end styling 

• Red paint over tan interior with canvas top 

• Power top, windows, steering, seats, locks, and brakes 

• Dual exhaust 

• Black leather-wrapped steering wheel  

• Sony AM-FM radio/cassette 

• Uniroyal Royal Seal P205 75r14 M+S (white walls with thin gold line) 

• Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report 

Features 

• Cruise Control 

• Air Conditioning and heat 

• Leather high-back seats (buckets up front, bench in rear) 

• Shoulder belts 

• Console shifter 

• Woodgrain/tan leather dash 

• Woodgrain center console 

• Full range of gauges, including speedometer (to 160 mph), tachometer, engine temperature, battery 

• Cigarette lighter and ash tray 

• Power disc brakes in front, power drum brakes in rear 

• Front suspension: A-arm w/ coil spring and shocks 

• Rear suspension: Coil springs and shocks with trailing arms and stabilizer bar 

• 10-bolt rear axle 

• Forward-opening hood 

• Quad brake lights 

• Low-sitting backup lights on each side of the license plate 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Dr. Karl Peace & Georgia Southern University Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation, in a garage facility. The Hagerty Marketplace Team endeavored to bring the cars back to running potential, however, as a result of the extended passive display, it is to be assumed that all lots will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term storage and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Cracking in the fiberglass body present on the left front fender and bumper 

• Paint chip on front bumper has been touched up 

• Dash vinyl is scuffed in several places 

• Electric trunk latch is broken 

• Passenger front window is inoperative 

Included 

• General Serva-Spare tire 

• Jack  

• Jack socket wrench 

• Convertible top boot 

Additional Notes

Title in transit.

What does Title in Transit mean?

Dr. Peace began a career in biostatistics in the pharmaceutical industry in 1978. His early career path saw him rise to vice president of worldwide technical operations at Parke-Davis / Warner Lambert, followed by his founding of Biopharmaceutical Research Consultants Inc. in 1989. Dozens of international biotech and pharmaceutical companies relied on his expertise for development and regulatory approval of dozens of medicines, including drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, arthritis, anxiety, depression and panic attacks, and gastrointestinal ulcers. In 1998 Dr. Peace approached Georgia Southern University with a plan to establish a biostatistics center, a corresponding program of study in biostatistics at the graduate level, and a school of public health. He returned to the Statesboro, Georgia, campus in the fall of 2000, when Georgia Southern began to offer the Master of Public Health degree in biostatistics. In 2004, his endowment to honor his late wife led to the creation of the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. He is author, co-author or editor of 15 books, 22 book chapters, and over 100 articles in the scientific, medical or biostatistical literature; and is the recipient of over 50 prestigious awards.

Georgia Southern University’s 10 colleges, schools and departments offer 132 different degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels. These programs are offered on the University’s beautiful campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and through online instruction. A unit of the University System of Georgia, the University boasts 300-plus student organizations, outstanding Division I athletics and state-of-the art residence halls and campus facilities. Since 1906, the University’s hallmark has been a culture of engagement that bridges theory with practice, extends the learning environment beyond the classroom and promotes student growth and life success.

Additionally, due to the remote location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Wednesday, June 19 through Thursday, June 27. No cars can be retrieved prior to June 19 and any lots remaining after June 27 will be transported to the Hagerty Garage + Social in Savannah, Georgia (with costs of transport and a $50/day storage fee assessed to the buyer).

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 email: rpotts@hagerty.com