When Studebaker ceased U.S. auto production in late 1963 (1964 model year), the innovative Avanti went with it after less than 5,000 units. Two Studebaker dealers didn’t want that to happen and continued the car forward as the Avanti II. Various iterations of that rebirth continued through the next 40 years. The seller has a 1988 Avanti convertible, which was only built for two years. Said to be a show winner, this fancy drop-top is in Vancouver, Washington, and is available here on craigslist for $39,000. Thumbs up to “Curvette” for the tip!
The reborn Avanti was built from leftover inventory, Studebaker dies and facilities, and power supplied by Chevrolet and others. Five sets of changing owners led the company, with the longest run being under the “Altman” watch through 1983. The car was mostly the same during that period, but changes began including rubber/plastic bumpers fore and aft in the 1980s. A convertibles was added in 1987, something not offered by Studebaker, and it sold 54 units that first year and 73 more in 1988 when the seller’s bright red example was assembled.
This nice edition with Corvette wheels is well-preserved and has less than 35,000 miles. We assume it’s only been used as a Summer cruiser by owners who may live in two places. If you don’t buy the car within the next few weeks, you’ll have to wait until next Summer. It’s powered by a Chevy 305 cubic inch V8 likely paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission as was common in the Avanti afterlife. In fact, all Studebakers built in Canada in 1965 and 1966 (before the company folded) used GM hardware.
Sometime during all the ownership changes, production of the Avanti II (the II was dropped in the 1980s) shifted from South Bend, Indiana to Youngstown, Ohio where this one was put together. The seller has a second Avanti for sale for the same price, but its white and a coupe (one photo provided in the same listing). The owner is downsizing, so his/her affinity for Studebaker lookalikes is shrinking. There are so few of these left (there weren’t many to begin with), how can you go wrong since they’re Chevy powered?
I never knew a convertible existed.
Looks a bit clumsy with the top up, but great with it down. 39 K seems a pretty reasonable number.
Some really lousy pictures, but it looks to be in nice shape. It’s a really sharp car with the top down….not so much with the top up. Are those Corvette wheels?
Russ….nice link to the “theavanti” website. Lots of good info there!