If you’re going to buy an Avanti, a first-generation model built by Studebaker with the round headlights is one to shop for. I’ve got nothing against the later models, but the Avanti line went through so many transformations and changes in ownership that the formula gradually got diluted over time. This example is one of those original cars, a 1964 R1 model that sports the classic round headlights and is said to have under 3,000 miles on a rebuit engine. Find it here on eBay where bidding is at $11K with the reserve unmet.
The seller describes this example as a restoration in progress, though it seems like much of the hard work is already done. The Avanti sports California black plates with old-school dealer plate frames, and the seller notes that the sometimes-vulnerable hog troughs and frame are in good shape, speaking to a lifetime spent on the West Coast. Chrome bumpers appear quite tidy and the paint looks good from a distance. The Avanti is said to have always been garaged or stored undercover. No word on whether the paint is original.
The cabin benefits from front seats and door panels that have been reupholstered, but the seller notes they need to be tightened up. This is usually indicative of an amateur re-skinning job, a project I don’t wish to attempt on my own. I’ve seen many cars with those tell-tale signs of an owner giving up at ever getting the new upholstery to factory levels of tightness, and even my upholstery guy will occasionally share with me the gory details on a painful re-upholstery job. Still, it doesn’t look bad at all for not being perfect.
The photos show that the Avanti retains its trick vanity mirror stowed in the glovebox, but that the dashboard is also showing a few cracks. With the rest of the interior looking so fresh, a perfect dashboard may be on order for the next owner. The R1 Avanti’s weren’t as powerful as the R2, but they still packed a reasonable punch with 289 V8 equipped with a four-barrel carb. This example may not be perfect, but with a rebuilt engine, freshened up interior, new headliner, and fresh rubber, a lot of the hard work is already done for the next owner.
Jeff: I think your supposed to do like the cool kids and call it Fleabay. This website recently informed me that’s the new “thang”.
I wouldn’t call it new, I’ve heard that for at least a couple years now… maybe more! Avanti’s rock. My dad was a Studebaker man, I came home from the hospital in a 1950 Commander convertible in 1952.
No grill (openings), so how does ample cooling air get to the radiator ?
They have an opening under the bumper basically from headlight to headlight.
The grill is located under the front bumper. The front bumper was designed to funnel the air to the grill. It was called a knife bumper. The radiator has a large shroud which helps with cooling.
Lucky Strikes ? They still sell them? You said the dash has some cracks,I looked at the Ebay pictures I am afraid that dash has to be replaced. Around the instruments it is warped out of shape and there are some large cracks.Dashes are available from some Studebaker vendors.
This car is a 63, not a 64 as reported by the seller, also for a car with a reported original mileage of under 27K miles, why rebuild the motor?
There were 764 64’ models made 54 had round headlight bezels. They ran the 63 bezel stock down. No waste for a company on hard times.
This car has the running changes that were not available on the 63. It does not have all of the 64 changes.
ford manfacturing style copy, eh?
“Joe – plenty left in da box, I’m gunna keep wrenchin
no matter what yr this is, EH? What yr IS IT, anyhoo?”
Love it! ‘S how I live too…Lota real corporations suck
8^0