The Avanti II was the successor to the Studebaker Avanti, which fell victim to the company’s poor finances after barely two model years (1963 and 1964). The car was revived in 1965 by a pair of Studebaker dealers who thought there was a market for it. From then until 2006, the Avanti II (later shortened to just Avanti) was built in small annual numbers that barely surpassed that of the original car in total. The seller has a 1990 Avanti with 4 doors, and it’s one of only 90 built. The car hasn’t run in a couple of years and will need to be towed. Located in Galt, California, this rare automobile is available here on craigslist for $10,000 or the closest reasonable offer.
For the first several years, the Avanti II looked pretty much like its predecessor. That’s because some of the equipment and parts needed to build the cars were purchased from Studebaker before they got out of the car business altogether. But the company started to change hands multiple times after 1983, and the physical appearance was altered. For example, rubber/plastic bumpers replaced the chrome ones. A convertible model was added. And even a 4-door sedan was sold going into the 1990s.
To me, stretching the vehicle to accommodate four doors negates the beauty of the original car. In other words, it just doesn’t look right. And perhaps buyers thought so, as fewer than one hundred copies were ever made. We assume Chevrolet drivetrains were still being used by 1990 (as had been the case since 1965). So perhaps a 305 cubic inch V8 and a TH-350 transmission reside in the seller’s machine. This Avanti’s paint is in fair condition, but the fiberglass body panels seem to have held up.
The seller says the Avanti has traveled more than 121,000 miles and ran when it was parked a couple of years ago. No efforts have been made to start the vehicle, so maybe a new battery and a flush of the fuel delivery system will help it come back to life. The car has been listed by someone who is not part of the family that owns the car (must not understand the internet). Our thanks to Tony Primo for uncovering this tip for us.
Another case of rare but not necessarily desirable. Sometimes a limited number production is a statement of acceptance by the general public and in this case for good reasons not the least of which was the then dwindling dealer support.
It appears it’ll possibly need more mechanical attention than stated. Noticeably the right front tire appears to be suspended with the LF wearing a spare of sorts.
Interesting find, sir. This is one that some of us didn’t even know about.
Rare yes, but as mentioned above, not particularly desirable. The downside, it’s a project car that doesn’t run and hasn’t for years, the paint is worn out, the interior is worn and it’s not in the sellers name, the upside, it’s rare. All this for a low asking price of $10,000. Unless this is someone’s dream car, its better to keep looking, you can find really nice cars from that era for considerably less if you are willing to put some effort into a search.
Steve R
As an Avanti? Yes. As a four door, no..the extra doors ruined its looks, rather like when Jaguar added the XKE 2+2 version turning a swan into an ugly duckling. I guess if you gotta have a late Avanti and you don’t care about its looks (and also have deep pockets for the work this one needs), then this is the car for you.
Agree with all above. That being said, still looks cooler than almost all modern sedans.
And, I dig the improvised cup holder.
Okay. I’ll be the odd man out. I like it. I remember when the 4 door came out, and I liked it then, too. Sure looks better than a Panamera! And I think the Avanti adapted well to the plastic bumpers. The very simplistic dash is appealing, too. This could be beautiful with a bit of work, and yo sure wouldn’t see a lot of them on the road, or even at a car show. With the GM drive train parts shouldn’t be a huge issue
Further proof that in some cases once the original is done it’s best to leave well enough alone.
Interesting car but the interior has the conversion van vibe. Someone will rescue this one. GLWTS