The Avanti was a bold experiment that deserved a lot better than to be built by a rapidly imploding Studebaker. It brought together distinctive styling, a lightweight fiberglass body, and a V8 offering excellent performance. It should have been a runaway success but failed to save Studebaker from bankruptcy. This 1963 example was recently restored, and its presentation and condition are impressive. It has no apparent needs, meaning its new owner can indulge in some immediate relaxed classic motoring. The Avanti is listed here on eBay in Hollywood, Maryland. Bidding has passed the reserve to sit at $24,600.
The Avanti was Sudebaker’s entry into the Personal Luxury Car sector, designed to take on vehicles like the Ford Thunderbird. Producing the Avanti was a bold and ultimately foolhardy exercise because the company desperately needed an affordable model that sold in respectable numbers at a profit. The Avanti represented a “halo” model that failed to entice buyers into showrooms to spend their hard-earned cash on vehicles like the Lark. The VIN confirms this classic rolled off the line in South Bend, Indiana, in January 1963. It recently underwent a restoration that saw its flawless fiberglass panels cloaked in a coat of its original, and imaginatively named, Avanti White. Finding anything to criticize about its presentation is challenging, with the paint shining beautifully. The chrome and trim are equally impressive, and the glass looks perfect. Its beauty is more than skin-deep because this YouTube video confirms the frame and “hog troughs” are rock-solid. The winning bidder can ignore their grinder and welder when they park this classic in their workshop.
The restoration included an interior retrim. We have previously seen these cars with non-standard upholstery, but this car’s interior is as close to its original specifications as you will find. It is trimmed in what Studebaker termed “Color Scheme No.1.” The dash, upper doors, and rear parcel tray wear Fawn upholstery, with Elk covering the seats and lower door trims. The eye to detail extends to the carpet, which features the correct Fawn and Black fibers. The dash pad has a couple of wrinkles, but there are no signs of developing splits. The trim around the heater controls is rubbed, and I’m unsure whether this could be restored. Otherwise, any faults are purely functional. The odometer doesn’t roll over, and the amp gauge is inoperative, as is the vacuum gauge. The interior might look largely as its creators intended, but there are some welcome upgrades. It features nicely integrated aftermarket air conditioning, and the radio was rebuilt to offer AM and FM operation.
The Avanti R1 features a 289ci V8, although buyers seeking improved performance could opt for the supercharged R2 version. This R1 sends 240hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. Studebaker had Ford’s Thunderbird firmly in its sights when it launched the Avanti, and it is fascinating to compare this car’s performance with an entry-level T-Bird. The Avanti takes 16 seconds to romp through the ¼-mile, while the Thunderbird completes the journey in 16.4 seconds. There is little to separate the pair in top speed, but some may question how the Avanti can outrun a Thunderbird with a larger engine under the hood and sixty more ponies at the driver’s disposal. The simple answer is “weight.” The Avanti tips the scales at 3,340 lbs, but the T-Bird weighs in at 4,354 lbs. That is a staggering difference, which also explains why the Avanti’s fuel consumption figures are over 20% better than the Ford’s. This car’s restoration included a few mechanical tasks to ensure the Avanti is healthy. It received a new battery, water pump, exhaust, front brake discs, a rear main seal, power steering seels, suspension bushes, and new tires. The YouTube video previously mentioned allows us to hear the engine start and run, and it sounds as sweet as a nut. The Studebaker runs and drives perfectly, allowing the winning bidder to fly in and drive it home.
The Studebaker Avanti was one of the forgotten vehicles of the classic world for decades, but the badge now enjoys a strong following. This car has received seven bids, and the existing bid figure is below the market average for a vehicle of this caliber. I expect it to top $30,000 before the hammer falls. However, it could be one of the bargains of 2023 if it doesn’t. Does that tempt you to monitor the auction and potentially submit a bid if the action doesn’t intensify? I won’t blame you if you do.
It’s finally getting respect in the cash department! This one looks to be a great driver, and you can use one as a daily driver.
They aren’t like driving a barge around and put you in the day anytime you want to go for a drive.
It’s beautiful and classy. Definitely has a European pinache about it. Timeless styling should always hold value, but I think Chrysler distanced themselves for whatever odd reasons. It would be like Alfa Romeo disowning the GTV coupe: “GTV who? Barely knew the guy!” Chrysler had some very interesting jet and rocket age cars. Atomic age too. Typically laden with excess chrome and massive glass. Here’s a step in the right direction, abandoned too soon. Should have evolved to a monocoque steel chassis with straight 6 before BMW cornered the market. This is not so far off from a BMW 3.0CS, sans curb weight and bloated engine.
Chrysler didn’t distance themselves from the Avanti as they had nothing to do with it in any way shape or form from it’s inception to today. It was a STUDEBAKER which was not a part of Chrysler.
Come to think of it, Chrysler SHOULD reintroduce the Avanti.
Seeing as how it never was a Chrysler but a Studebaker, it would be an interesting experiment.
I think part of the problem is that the Avanti was ahead of the times style-wise. Always loved their looks.
The front end “beauty” is in the eye of the beholder. Like the rear end style though. Overall, the Avanti is a cool ride. This one is a gem.
There was a duplicate one that was parked on a street 1969-1976, 3 blocks from my house when we moved to a city 45 miles east of Chicago. That is when I learned about Studebaker and later when I worked with their former employees in South Bend, IN.
Interesting idea. Wonder who owns the molds to the cars.
Why Chrysler?
Studebaker did not go bankrupt in fact they were making a small profit when they quit making cars.
The front end “beauty” is in the eye of the beholder. Like the rear end style though. Overall, the Avanti is a cool ride. This one is a gem.
First. Studebaker did not go bankrupt. The were a widely diversified company. The hey ceased production of cars and trucks in South Bend December of 63. Continued in Canada through 65.
Second. Chrysler never had anything to do with the Avanti. Two south bend Studebaker dealers formed the Avanti Motir Corporation in 64 and continued production for 30 some odd years with several other owners.
This looks like the car from ky that belonged to a friend of mine, it might just be because he passed away recently and someone bought the car and this looks just like it everthing down to the last detail.
I really enjoy seeing Avantis and information about them. But I have to say, if it was meant to take on Thunderbird, which was already starting with an identity crisis, Studebaker missed the mark. I see the Avanti as more a contender of another Ford product which it predated by a year-and-a-half. I see the Avanti as the first of the pony-car category.
But, that’s me…
Avantis are cool. Especially the supercharged 4sp model 🏁
I’d stick a grill on it. Maybe off a metropolitan.
It has a grill, below the bumper.
It’s not a grill if it’s below the bumper. That’s why Ford stuck a grill on the second year of the panther chassis Crown Vic.
Remember that the 289 is a Studebaker engine, not a Ford, and they do not share basic components.
Always wondered about that.
I worked in South Bend, IN, home of Studebaker and worked with several former employees. I heard a story of one employee sleeping in the 3 door car.
Studebaker’s failure to provide pensions was a major impetus behind the ERISA law. Employee Retirement Income Security Act, passed around 1982.
I felt bad for the former employees and currently enjoy 3 separate pensions from factory work then management positions.
I miss Studebaker and AMC!
Studebaker did not go bankrupt. They just quit making cars. They continued to be in business through their many subsidiaries for many years and over time these subsidiaries were bought off by larger mega corporations and under these mega corporations many of these subsidiaries still exist today.
What has Chrysler to do with any of this.2 completely separate companies.