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Recovered 1964 Avanti Gets Makeover from Local Car Restoration Business
GIG HARBOR, Wash. – The tale of the stolen 1964 Avanti continues to unfold. This time the story gets a pay-it-forward twist from a Gig Harbor car restoration company.
The saga began recently when Andrew Hubchen’s 1964 Avanti was stolen from his yard near the Tacoma Parkland border. After being reported missing, the vehicle was located in Bremerton. Auburn Valley Towing then stepped forward and offered to transport the car back to Hubchen for free.
Andrew Hubchen’s 1964 Avanti being prepared for its trip to Gig Harbor
The Avanti had sentimental value because it had been purchased in the early 1970’s by Hubchen’s father. The theft and return of the car caught the attention of technician Jeff Bartle of Jim’s Classic Garage & Auto Museum in Gig Harbor. After consulting with shop owner, Jim Sullivan, the decision was made to contact Hubchen with a unique offer: The gift of a car restoration to create the perfect ending to what began as a traumatic story.
Sullivan’s garage is well known in Western Washington for its restoration work. Their new teaching museum takes students from local schools and teaches them the art of car restoration. Sullivan, whose company recently restored a similar vehicle, saw this as a perfect opportunity to restore Hubchen’s Avanti while also involving the students in the project.
Recovered car awaiting inspection at Jim’s Classic Garage in Gig Harbor, Washington
Sullivan contacted the Avanti’s owner with the good news: “I said, ‘As you may be aware, there is an Avanti car show in Tacoma this August 29-31st. This would be a great opportunity to get your car back on the road and give our students a fun and rewarding project, all working toward the goal of entering this car show. We currently have a ’69 Avanti II in our shop for repair, so the students do have a bit of experience with this car already, as well as our shop mechanics who will be mentoring the students through the process.'”
Jim Sullivan looking down on the teaching museum in Gig Harbor, Washington
Sullivan’s team picked up the car-this time with the owner’s consent-and delivered it to Gig Harbor for the makeover.
With help from Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force, the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff, David Rose and tips from the public, the Avanti made its way back to its rightful owner.
The technicians and students of Jim’s Classic Garage & Auto Museum are determined to begin getting the car back to its original condition. A story that began with a theft is now becoming one with a happy and unexpected ending.