Few cars get a shot at a second life – but the Studebaker Avanti is one of them. When Studebaker ceased automobile production in the U.S. midway through the 1964 model year, it seemed the Avanti personal luxury car was doomed. Until two Stude dealers stepped in, they bought leftover inventory and tooling, and the Avanti II was born. Reincarnated, the Avanti would enjoy a second life into the 21st Century. This beautiful example, from 1979, has undergone a frame-off restoration. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, this cool classic redo is available here on craigslist for $28,000.
After longtime Stude peddlers Nate and Arnold Altman and Leo Newman saved the Avanti, production commenced in 1965 on the Avanti II. Because the supply of Studebaker drivetrains dried up with the closing of their South Bend facilities, the new company sourced engines and transmissions from Chevrolet, and later chassis, such as ones from the various A-bodies. So, the seller’s 1979 Avanti, which was cosmetically unchanged from its predecessor, has a 350 cubic inch V8 and (probably) a TH-350 tranny.
Much of the assembly of the Avanti II was by hand, explaining why only 175 Avantis were built in 1979 – the highest single-year production to that point. We’re told that $77,000 was spent on a frame-off restoration of this car, but we don’t know why or when, since the car seems to only have 22,000 miles. The limited production vehicle is said to be numbers-matching and is fully equipped with goodies like power steering, power brakes, and air-conditioning.
The gold paint on this extended “Chevybaker” looks quite stunning with a tan leather interior. We’re told the frame was painted black with the restoration, and the seller, an apparent Avanti II aficionado, says this is the “most beautiful Avanti” he/she has ever seen. Perhaps this is true, but is that reason enough to take a $50,000 bath when considering the documented makeover costs? Thanks to T.J. for another great tip.
Wow rare 79′ Avanti II. Sweet stuff Dixon thank you. And good eye T.J.
Nice!!
Body off please
Test drove an almost new 79 Avanti at a South Bend car lot in 1981. Very impressed with how tight and quiet it was, but was not in my budget. Always have wanted one.
Avanti IIs still used Studebaker chassis and running gear up until ’85 when their hoard of NOS Lark convertible chassis finally ran out. They only turned to GM chassis around ’87, by which time they’d dropped the “II”; I regard the cars after that point as little more than “Avanti tributes” sharing nothing but the general body shape with the Studebaker originals.
Up to ’85 however, I regard them as true continuation cars, using nearly all of the same components from the original Studebaker production aside from the Chevy powertrain. They did have to raise the front end by about an inch to clear the Chevy’s taller intake stack, and lower the front wheelarches accordingly to close the resulting wheel gap, thereby losing some of the original Avanti’s raked stance and leaner front-end massing.
I often wonder how readily an Avanti II could be reverted to that early look with the use of a modern low-profile fuel-injected intake plenum.
There was an awesome 1975 Avanti restomod that recently sold on BaT with an LS and it’s fenders were cut back to original dimensions.
Reckon you mean this one, absolutely superb in concept and execution:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-avanti-avanti-ii/
$70k on the restoration??? First off the car was never worth that as new and second it was never worth that after the restoration. Shaking my head on this one. May be worth $28k may be not. The supercharged 289 would the engine to have. Hmm thinking engine swap? Still a nice Avanti II and I hope it finds a nice home.
It states $77k on a frame off restoration. If true, that does not seem so high as per my experiences with restorations. Regardless of value for the restoration, $28k is a good deal for this car. It’s difficult to find a series 2 non restored Avanti for less than $18k.
Anybody know how much less the small-block engine weighs compared to the Studebaker 289? I’m wondering if there are useful improvements in driveability resulting from the repowering.
I asked Google and the common weight for the Chevy is 589 pounds while the Stude is over 600. So maybe? Not much.
I followed your example. Studebaker, fully dressed, 685 pounds, Chevy 350 100 pounds less, 75 pounds less than that with aluminum heads and intake, 510 pounds. Nice to dream about.
If no photos or receipts of the restoration can be displayed (CL allows 24 photos), then the restoration never took place.
Nice Avanti II. Good value here for a restored car. I prefer the Avanti II myself.
Except for the front wheel cutouts and the body angle, I concur.
Most beautiful Avanti is a 63 or 64 worth up to 70K. My opinion.