The “first generation” of the Avanti II ran from 1965 to 1983. It was born from the ashes of the original Avanti, but used drivetrains provided largely by Chevrolet. This 1983 edition has just been revived after being in storage for 23 years. The cranberry red paint looks great as it was reapplied just before the car went into hibernation. Located near Houston, Texas, the seller may be hesitant to sell the car, but has put it out there anywhere for $12,750 here on craigslist. Our thanks to Tony Primo for continuing to bring great tips our way!
One of the victims of Studebaker’s demise in the mid-1960s was the Avanti personal luxury car. Because it was only around a year and a half and sold just 4,643 copies, the Avanti was discontinued when Studebaker shifted auto production to Canada in late 1963. But there was a happy ending when the Avanti was revived in 1965 by two former Studebaker dealers. Ownership of Avanti Motor Car Co. would change hands several times over the years, but the “Altman” era continued through 1983. Except for power, the cars looked just like the ones built in South Bend, Indiana (Studebaker).
The seller’s car is one of 289 built in 1983 (production during most years only numbered a few hundred). It has a low-mileage crate Chevy 350 cubic inch V8, which replaced the car’s original 305 V8 (Monte Carlo hardware was used in that run). This vehicle was out of the limelight from 2003 until 2026, when the seller pulled it out and got it going again. While we’re told it runs and drives as it should, it still needs a fuel pump and new tires, which the seller will be installing.
We’re told the interior needs a bit of work, and the photos provided may show as many as three steering wheels being employed. The fiberglass exterior seems to be without problems, so it may not take much for this vehicle to become a driver-quality, Cars & Coffee automobile. The seller also owns a 1989 Avanti II and may be going against his wife’s wishes by putting this car on the market. If you can get this machine for under $13k, that’s a lot cheaper than what a similar 1963-64 Studebaker Avanti would set you back.
Great and distinctive car. Unfortunate that the pics are in the shade…
Wonder if the red zebra mats are included. Mrs. Avanti can keep them if she insists.
Missing the original Avanti.
I’d possibly would be getting a plane ticket if I hadn’t just started the ’67 Sunbeam project I got last week from a lead here on Barn Finds. Was close so was able to ascertain that rust is minimal, just interior and motor work. Big plus is the hardtop. May be interested in a 289 if someone has one not being used. Possibly become a Tiger clone.
This is a much better deal than the 3 wheeler next to it. A friend has one that I drove several times and it was always fun to see people stop and stare at it.
This red one would be even more of an attraction then his white one.
Is it two different cars or what are they trying to sell? Look at the interior shots. Not even the same steering wheel. Buyer beware.
I was able to see on the computer screen three different steering wheels, as stated, but they appear to be on the same car at different times, or is it AI? Look at what may be a defective glove box door hanging part way open on all photos. There are also other ads of other Avantis that the seller included for comparison. But you are correct that this one really needs to be inspected. At least the red zebra carpet covers are not in all of the shots.
I’m only seeing 2 different steering wheels — the wood-rimmed Grant GT one with different angles/lighting may look like different wheels at a glance — the ones with the hole-spoked wheel look like older pics of the same car.
I think you are right on second viewing. Two different views of the same steering wheel, one seen here on BF in good lighting and the other in poor shaded lighting. It fooled me and the author. Fun detective work. Then there is the other one with holes, most obvious.
Simply put… if you’re going to sell something, take and post pictures of it as it is TODAY. This happens often, and it’s infuriating.
Re: “Except for power, the cars looked just like the ones built in South Bend, Indiana (Studebaker).”
There was one subtle visual difference. To clear the taller intake stack of the SBC engines, they had to raise the front end by about an inch and lower the front wheelarches accordingly to close the resulting wheel gap, reducing the originals’ raked stance and leaner front-end massing.
Headlights are different, too.
Studebaker themselves changed the headlights to these square buckets as a running change during early production for model year ’64, so Newman and Altman were stuck with that when they revived production as the Avanti II.