After the last Studebaker Avanti was sold in 1964, everyone thought that was the end of what would later become an iconic car. Then two Studebaker dealers rode in on white horses and saved the day, buying plant, equipment, and leftover inventory. Thus, the Avanti II was born in 1965 and would live on in some fashion through 2006. The Avanti II here is from 1972 and looks to be okay but has enough dust to suggest it’s been sitting under a carport for a time. Located in Hermiston, Oregon, this déjà vu automobile is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000.
Studebaker ceased producing cars in the U.S. at the end of December 1963. It would soldier on in Canada until 1966 when the curtain finally fell on the financially disadvantaged company. When assemblies shifted to Hamilton, Ontario, the Avanti, and Hawk didn’t make the trip and the last Avanti produced was number 4647. Feeling there was still a market for the Avanti, dealers Altman and Newman swooped in and created the Avanti Motor Co. which would have one product, the Avanti II. They owned the company until 1983 and it changed hands several times thereafter.
During the Altman/Newman era, an additional 2,500 Avanti’s were built and looked much like the original. The differences were mechanical, as the engines and transmissions largely came from Chevrolet from then on. Early Avanti IIs had the Chevy 327, but the 350s, 305s, and 400s were sourced later, as well. The seller’s ’72 edition is said to have the 400 small-block (not to be confused with a 396) and the TH-400 automatic transmission.
We’re told this Avanti II has only had two owners and the odometer reading is just 38,000 miles (or could it be 138,000?). We’re told it runs strong, but if that’s the case, why not back it out of the carport, hose it down, and take better photos? It looks like a car that hasn’t moved in a while. It was one of 127 Avanti IIs that Altman and Newman built that year.
The paint and interior both look blue though the seller describes the colors as turquoise. Since the body is made of fiberglass, there should be no rust unless it’s underneath somewhere. The paint is ready to be redone as is witness the condition of the trunk lid (for example). The listing reads as though both the engine and transmission have been rebuilt, which may point to higher mileage after all. If you can’t get your hands on the genuine article (a 1963 or 1964 Avanti), will this “tribute” be close enough?
Not close enough for me at 10k
Not to far from me but looking at the condition of the car it’s really over priced not buying the mileage stated
5643 is the VIN on last Studebaker Avanti.
Living near Youngstown, OH, I watch the saga of JJ and Mike Kelly’s go at producing the Avanti. This was not a match made in heaven. JJ with no manufacturing experience and Mike Kelly’s bravado did not encourage the area’s confidence. Especially after Youngstown had courted a blimp plant, a brewery, and later an indoor NASCAR racetrack.
They also were the red headed stepchild of automaking in the Valley trying to build cars in a non-union plant in the shadows of the sprawling GM Lordstown plant. Kelly was once asked about the Avantin plant becoming unionized. His response was, “Unions can organize and plants can move.”
Here’s an excellent article about Avanti’s history in Youngstown and the history of auto and steel making in Youngstown.
https://jalopnik.com/still-waiting-for-a-savior-before-gm-left-avanti-sold-1833122040
Wow! I have always thought these were cool looking cars, but with the 400/400, Detroit locker and Cragars, this thing is badass! I would love to have it.