If the Avanti was Studebaker’s Holy Grail, then the Avanti’s own masterpiece was the supercharged 289 V8 that went into just 40% of the cars that were produced. The first Avanti rolled off the assembly line in mid-1962 and the last one when Studebaker’s U.S. production ceased at the end of the next year. This ’63 is equipped with the much-ballyhooed supercharger and was the recipient of an older restoration. A beautiful car at first glance, this rare Avanti is located in South Bend, Indiana, Studebaker’s former home, and available here on eBay where the no reserve auction has reached $19,101.
The Lark compact was Studebaker’s salvation in the late 1950s after its merger with Packard produced little more than red ink. But the Lark quickly gained competition and Studebaker needed another shot in the arm. Along came the Avanti, which went from a concept on a cocktail napkin to a production model in record time. Studebaker had hopes of selling 20,000 copies a year, but production issues and delays resulted in fewer than 4,700 cars in total. The supercharger worked well for Studebaker in the Golden Hawk days of 1957-58, so it went into 1,833 of the new Avanti’s with 1,552 in its only full year, 1963.
Besides the supercharger, this ’63 Avanti came complete with automatic transmission, power steering and power windows. It underwent a restoration in the 1980s and the car’s original turquoise paint was replaced with a black finish. It has survived largely well since, but it’s not perfect. While the shine is good, there are two starbursts on the hood and some minor abrasions near the gas filler. In addition, there are some imperfections on both front fenders. The chrome is generally good, but the rear bumper is showing some rippling from a prior replating.
Some of the numbers on the car do not match. The production order says the car was built with one fiberglass body number, yet the body tag on the car reflects another body number. Fortunately, the engine number matches the build sheet. The interior, which looks really sharp, is not original and the actual mileage is unknown although the odometer says 3,684. The aftermarket Borrani knock-off wire wheels look sensational, but the age of the Michelin tires is another unknown.
We’re told the car runs, drives and stops, but is not roadworthy at this time. Because the car sat up for some time, the fuel went bad and had to be drained and a new fuel filter installed. The supercharger has a tag reflecting that it was rebuilt at some point by a company in Nevada, but the hose connecting the supercharger to the carburetor is shot. There is a leak at the exhaust manifold and the power steering pump leaks like a sieve. On the plus side, the ignition was previously upgraded to one by PerTronix.
If you’re in the market for a Studebaker, this is likely the penultimate model to own. It’s not quite the same automobile it was when it came off the assembly line 58 years ago, it’s still an Avanti, not the Avanti II that carried the name on for another 30 years (that’s a different story all its own). This car must have a connection to the Studebaker National Museum located in South Bend because that’s where the proceeds from the sale of this car will go.
That would be a fun car to have and if you can live with the paint condition some light mechanical needs will have this back on the road. Curious about the body number mismatch. Besides someone doing a body swap maybe in the 80’s makes one wonder what happened?
+1 I agree! GLWTA!! :-)
I would add this to my bucket list, along with a 1970 AMX, a 1964 Imperial Lebaron, and a 1966 Corvair Corsa.
The seller mentioned this twice in the eBay ad…
“Car runs, drives and stops, but should not be considered roadworthy.”
Uh, oh.
Must be the tires?
It would be a good idea to closely examine the “Hog Troughs.” Make sure that there’s no sign of serious rust or damage that will cause major structural issues. An important section of the car to look at, especially when they have aged 58 years, a restoration was done in the 1980’s, and some issues concerning the body number mismatch are brought up.
Black probably isn’t the best color for one of these. That fiberglass body has more waves than that Pacific Ocean.
it looks good to me.
Every time one of these comes up, I have the same reaction, “I would really like to have one” and this one would be just fine.
I saw it first! ;-)
Is it just me , or does it bother anyone else when they say a car has been restored, but the car is repainted in a different color ? And in this cars case, if it was turquoise originally , would it have had that cream and pink interior or has that been changed out too ?
Original interior was also turquoise vinyl per the build sheet. That two-tone on the seats was never offered to my knowledge. Door panels, yes, but not the seats.
It will fit in the garage and the Lincoln won’t, so I would take this, imperfections and all. So not original that you can drive it, plenty in museums already.
Interior has been redone. It is not even the same pattern that they used. Seats should be one color. Build order shows it was built in 62. I am not sure if the earlier cars used the 140 mph speedometer. I have only seen them with the 160. I to wonder about the body number. Does not appear sellingis hiding anything.
…not to mention the Stewart Warner gauges on the dash. If I remember, the original dash was engine-turned brushed stainless steel. Still a really nice looking car.
Dash is correct. The gauges are correct. As I mentioned before the 140 speedometer may not be.
The R2s had a 160 speedometer so something else is not correct here.
Too bad it doesn’t have the T-10 four speed transmission which would make it much more valuable.
chrlsful@aol.com“…Studebaker’s Holy Grail, then the Avanti’s own masterpiece was the…”
I’d say the
Hawk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studebaker_Gran_Turismo_Hawk
champion
https://www.connorsmotorcar.com/vehicles/415/1950-studebaker-champion
and
commander
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1950-51-studebaker-commander
are in the running too.
What an ‘orphan’ to follow! Put a straight8 in that late model’n C the memoriable grin on THIS face
8^ )
(mine…
I had the pleasure of driving a REAL Turquoise on Turquoise 1964 supercharged model 15 years ago. What a beauty. Like sitting in the cockpit of a jet. Yes, this great car was too late to save Studebaker. The company’s biggest problem was they paid their workers way more than GM, Ford and Chrysler were at the time. And when President Sherwood Egbert died way too young, that was the end. I remember the sad day when production ended in 1966 in South Bend. $19,000 is not a ton of money, considering rusted out junk 68 Chargers sell on here for $40,000.
Not to nit pick, but South Bend production ended in December of 1963. After that, only Lark types were built in the Hamilton Ontario plant into the ’66 model year. My ’63 Hawk came with the original letter from Studebaker in the glove box alerting the original owner of the shutdown. I agree that this car should be returned to turquoise on turquoise.
Production in South Bend enden in December 1963. Production in Hamilton ended in March 1966.
This is for all the comments that nit pick this or any car. You should enclose a picture of yours and how perfect it is. This a GREAT car!! Can be driven anywhere and parked anywhere and enjoyed the way all cars should be. Nothing worse than seeing a car that says look but don’t touch. I have a 32′ Ford PU with a 51′ Mercury engine and it is a daily driver. It is really nice, but not perfect. I let kids sit in it all the time and they love it. Don’t know how to post pics of it, but is KQQL. Drive em’ and enjoy em’. Thanks. Someone is going to get this Avanti and love the s—t out of it.