The seller of this 1979 Studebaker Avanti II sounds more optimistic than I’d expect given the intro photo on the craigslist listing. The Avanti II, from the era following the conclusion of Studebaker production but while still in the hands of Studebaker employees, is a last-gasp before a series of different owners bastardized the brand. Find this project-grade example here on craigslist somewhere near Reno for $5,900.
Two gents by the name of Altman and Newman bought the rights to Studebaker once formal production ended, and continued to build the trucks and Avanti models. This generation would still have a Studebaker-designed chassis under it, along with power from a small-block Chevy. Since the 305 was installed beginning in 1981, I suspect this has a 400 mill under the hood.
Avantis were still built to a high degree of quality in the ensuing years, which is a credit to the owners that secured the rights to Studebaker. It couldn’t have been easy to continue building as a full-scale manufacturer, and later ownership changes beginning in 1982 certainly realized it wasn’t. This example, despite outside storage in Nevada, appears to show a complete interior – but the baked-off paint is likely an indication that it’s not going to stay intact forever.
However, it must be worst than it seems as the seller still confirms the interior needs to be redone, along with exterior cosmetics. The listing also mentions it’s been sitting for five years, and that the seller will entertain offers around a $5,900 asking price. To me, this is a cheap way into Avanti ownership from a time when the brand still had a connection to its Studebaker heritage despite the company’s retirement. Would you pay the asking price or go a bit lower?
U always use worst when u mean worse!! If only I had the money and lived 1500 miles closer!!
Wouldn’t it help sell the car if they trimmed the jungle growing against the car back? Is that too much to ask?
It’s not a Studebaker. The last Studebaker Avanti was built in 1964
RicK, that’s sorta/kinda correct; the last American built Studebaker left the building in 1964. Production continued in Canada thru 1967
The Hamilton Ontario plant stopped production in March of 1966.
There were no Avanti’s built in Canada. None. Ever. The Studebaker powered ones ended with the 1964 model year, all built in South Bend, Indiana. The 1965 and later cars were still built in one of the Studebaker buildings, in South Bend only. Finally in the 1980’s the company was sold and the cars became Chevrolets with Avanti bodies. But through the ’70’s, these cars were essentially all-Studebaker but for the Chevrolet engine…
Not a “Barn-Find” but a “Weed Find??”
I believe Newman and Altman were Studebaker dealers, so already known and trusted by management. Would love to see your information that they produced trucks, too, never heard that one before. I was under the impression Avantis used the current Corvette mills, and since the Corvette never used the 400 small block, I’d want to check that, too. But I don’t claim to be an Avanti expert.
Later 70s Avantis dud indeed use a 400ci SBC
Appears I was wrong, Wikipedia says the Avanti II was built with the Chebbie 400.
Different years, different engines. Early Avanti II’s had a 327, later they had 350’s, 400’s, and eventually even 305’s.
Just Avanti, orphaned from Studebaker. The early orphans were powered by the Chevy 327, which was much lighter than the Studey 289.
The last Studebaker truck was the “Champ”, 1963/64 when Studebaker left Southbend. Ugly. (IMHO). The box was a carry over from earlier years, but the front was a Lark. “Frankenstein” would have been a better name.
Hey Jud, true the box with the pontoon fenders were from earlier years, but the fleet side bed was outsourced from Dodge. Now THAT was a Frankenstein effect.
Newman and Altman finished the Studebaker Zip Van production in 1964 and ’65 for the USPS. They substituted Chevrolet 153 c.i. fours in place of the Flathead Willy’s four that Stude used
No, no, no. It’s funny how misinformation can just grow and grow. The Zip-Van was actually made by Met-Pro of Pennsylvania. Studebaker designed the Zip-Van and had every intention of making them, but the Govm’t, in their wisdom wanted to give jobs to smaller companies. So, Studebaker built the frames, body panels, and supplied all of the engines. They were never built by Newman and Altman, or the Avanti Motor Corporation. I think the confusion is that when Avanti Motors acquired everything for the Avanti, they acquired All of the truck parts at the same time, hoping that parts sales for the trucks would help cash flow. Unfortunately, Avanti didn’t make any trucks.
Every Studebaker Zip-Van came with the Studebaker designed and built 170cid OHV 6 cylinder with a 3speed low gear start Borg Warner automatic. Studebaker Never used the Chev 4 cylinder or the Willys 4.