The original Studebaker Avanti was a personal luxury car that the troubled company could only afford to keep on the payroll for two model years (1963 and 1964). But a pair of Stude dealers felt the car deserved a second chance and formed a small company to keep building them upon Studebaker’s demise. This 1978 Avanti II looks great and is powered by Chevrolet hardware, which was the case for many years. Located in Home Glen, Illinois, this weekend show car is available here on eBay for $18,200 OBO (which differs slightly from the auction’s terms).
Avanti production resumed on a limited basis in 1965 after two former Stude dealers bought leftover Studebaker dies and plant capacity in South Bend, Indiana. Avanti Motor Co. was formed, and between ‘65 and ‘83, about 2,500 Avanti IIs were built. With Studebaker no longer building cars in the U.S., Avanti Motor sourced engines and transmissions from Chevrolet (and later chassis). The founders eventually passed on, and the survivors sold the company, after which it changed hands several times before folding in 2006.
The seller’s car was one of 142 produced in 1978. While that doesn’t sound like a lot of automobiles, it was one of the better sales years for Avanti Motor. The seller has owned this revival car for nearly a decade, and it’s seen just 49,000 miles in its 47 years. He/she has mainly driven it to shows, and it has only seen daylight during the summer months. It’s well-equipped, but the seller is getting too old to drive it much (he/she is 96 years of age).
Under the hood resides a 350 cubic inch V8 (300 hp due to a 4-barrel carburetor), paired with an automatic transmission (TH-350?). We’re told that five new tires have been installed on factory wire wheels, and a new battery is along for the ride. A sunroof was installed when the “Stude” was new, and the body, paint, and interior should all be ship shape (better photos would help). If you’ve been itching to get your hands on an Avanti, this one might be as nice as you’ll find with the 1963-64 originals possibly being in shorter supply.
Dixon not sure about that hp figure. Unless its a replacement motor.
Even w a 4-bbl probably less than 200 horse for 78′
You’re right. Hagerty shows the 4-barrel 350 in the ’78 Avanti II rated at 180 hp.
Looks like a lot of car for the money. Price is $200 above Hagerty #2 (excellent condition).
Right on Vance. A beautiful car, agree with you.
My 78 came from the factory with a 178 hp “Corvette” smog motor. I replaced i with a 345 hp 350 ci crate motor. Made it a totally different car. Factory trans was a Turbo 400. I did a 200-4r for overdrive.
I’ve owned 5 Studebaker Avantis and one Avanti II. While the Avanti II is a nice car it’s not the same as the Studebaker. It has a different feel. I prefer the originals
I’m impressed by this car. Looks nice and a value.
But I’m also impressed by the online sale photo of the car being shown at a show. In front was the female half of the owners sitting on a folding chair. The Illinois plate is “2 oldys”. If one is selling at age 96 and they bought it 10 years ago at 86, good for them! That gives us hope.
”As Good as a Studebaker?”
No, better.
Loving Studies, I agree, the Avanti II’s made by Newman & Altman made from ‘65-‘83 were better and higher quality than the Studebaker versions made in’63 & ‘64.
I bought a ‘64 with round headlights in ‘66 and drove the living hell out of the R 1 for 3 years before selling it. I currently have a ‘76 I’ve owned for 14 1/2 years and also had an ‘89 convertible for over 7 years. Body quality and construction of the ‘76 is superior to both the other cars.
I’ve had nearly a frame on restoration done to the ‘76 over the first 10 years I had it. The original motor, a SBC 400, has been overhauled and now produces 479 HP and 560 # Torque compared to the 178 or so it was made with. Motor is only sporting the original block, crank and oil pan. It has had MSD EFI since 2017 and with a 200R4 AOD trans behind it is a great highway cruiser. The chronic over-heating issues of the 400 are now taken care of and I’d drive the car anywhere today.
Indeed, I gather the II’s had better assembly quality and some improved trim materials and options/equipment, but were still fundamentally a Studebaker in all regards aside from the SBC engine.
They did have to lift the front end by about an inch to clear the taller intake stack of the engine, and lowered the front wheelarches accordingly to close the resulting wheel gap. Which leads me to wonder how readily a II could be reverted to the original, more raked stance and leaner front-end massing (and I’d also revert to round headlights while I’m at it) with the use of a modern low-profile FI intake.
I was lucky to see the assembly line for this car around 1970. …we had a toy manufacturing subsidiary in South Bend whose VP was well connected locally…..that car was very special.
My 78 came from the factory with a 178 hp “Corvette” smog motor. I replaced i with a 345 hp 350 ci crate motor. Made it a totally different car. Factory trans was a Turbo 400. I did a 200-4r for overdrive.
Wise choice to switch to a 200R4 AOD trans. The switch lowers the rpm’s from 3000 to 2000 at highway cruising speed.
If it weren’t for the first photo, I would think that this was being “sold” by someone who took pictures of the car at a car show.
“What kind of electric car is that?” No obvious grill will get people to ask the question. You can get parts for the drivetrain at your local auto parts store. And real wire wheels.
I get questions about the lack of grill all the time. Even guessing it’s a rear engine or air cooled.
SOLD for $27,650.