Despite not reaching the same level of success or acclaim as cars like the Corvette or Thunderbird, the Studebaker Avanti has still emerged as a somewhat timeless collector car. The Avanti offered an unusual blend of performance and luxury that few cars from this era have come close to emulating, hence why it remains sought after today despite being somewhat obscure.  Our subject car is an R1 model and one of the original Studebaker-built examples. Find here on craigslist for $16,500 in Spokane.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find. The Avanti had a somewhat tumultuous existence, being sold off several times to different owners, all of whom had fairly limited amounts of success with marketing one of the last hurrahs of the Studebaker brand. The original Avantis are desirable not only because the early models of pretty much every collector car are the most sought-after but also because models like the R1 were the purest expression of the original design. Un-cluttered and delicate, and certainly unique with those ensconced headlamps up front.

And the interiors! My God, what a gorgeous cockpit. I sometimes feel that we, as a collective whole of automotive enthusiasts, fail to give the Avanti the credit it deserves for the perfect blend of opulence and power. The original designers knocked the interior design out of the park, and to this day, even the roughest examples still look beautiful inside. This R1 presents well with the steering wheel, console, dash, and seats all appearing to be damage-free; still, the seller reports it needs TLC that includes some possible ignition work. Mileage is unknown, with an odometer that has rolled over.

The engine has been rebuilt and is said to run well. The next owner will also get a spare engine as part of the purchase price, which includes heads, a crank, and other desirable spares. The pictures aren’t the greatest so we can’t confidently deduct the condition of the body and chassis, but given it’s located in Washington State, it seems likely to be rock solid underneath. The Studebaker Avanti makes any garage look better, and this one just seems like a smart buy with the recent engine work and spare components included for what seems like a reasonable asking price.