The Studebaker Avanti is one of those rare cars where production of a tribute continued after the company quit building automobiles. In fact, the Avanti II would last for more than 40 years while the original was only produced for two model years (1963-64). This Avanti II is powered by a Chevrolet drivetrain (as most were) and looks to be quite tidy overall. Located in New Westminster, British Columbia, this nice vehicle is available here on craigslist for USD 27,000 (a recent reduction of 40%, so it sounds like the seller is motivated). Kudos to Rocco B. for this great tip!
High hopes were hung on the Avanti to snap Studebaker out of the downward financial spiral it had been in for several years. But the interesting car with a fiberglass body wasn’t around long enough to help. Thwarted by some production delays, just 4,600 of them were built between mid-1962 and the end of 1963. That’s when Studebaker quit producing cars in the U.S. and shifted operations to Canada (for another 2.5 years). The Avanti didn’t make the trip north, so it looked like the end for the interesting and powerful personal luxury machine.
Enter two former Studebaker dealers who bought the name, tool and dies, and production capacity and created the Avanti Motor Co. to build just one product: the Avanti II. It looked just like the original but was propelled by Chevy engines and transmissions which were readily available. The founders built about 2,400 Avanti IIs before selling the business in 1983. After that, another 1,700 were assembled by several other company owners and the car began to morph away from what Studebaker had given birth to.
We don’t know the history of this Avanti II besides its in great shape and has had some money poured into it recently. At 86,700 miles, it thrives on a 305 cubic inch V8 and a TH-350 automatic transmission. This combination is probably not as peppy as a 1963 Avanti would have been with a 289 Studebaker engine, especially if it were supercharged. The black paint contains gold fleck and looks good in the photos, though they’re a bit on the dark side.
The red leather interior looks fine for being original and 40 years old. The vehicle is well-equipped, including a sunroof which probably wasn’t available on the 1963-64 cars. The II rides on Avanti wire wheels and new radial tires and is said to run and drive great. So, no work appears to be necessary, just get in and start showing it off. We’re told the auto is owned by a Canadian senior citizen and the clock may be ticking for the price to have dropped from $46,000 straight to $27,000. If you have a yen for one of these cars, this is one of only 289 copies built in 1983.
I love the old Studebakers, but never cared much for these, maybe it’s the lack of a grille, to me they look lifeless, like the front of today’s electric cars. Just my opinion. And a 305 chevrolet is certainly nothing to get goose bumps over. Nice condition though
Ugly car but beautiful name
Neat car.A friend had an original one in Maroon when they first came out.The factory exhaust was loud and he got stopped because it was loud stock.He would show the police that it was stock.Very neat car.This car sounds like a good buy if it is as it appears.
Drive this and people will ask if it is electric, the body is really pretty timeless, it could be a new car! And, it seats four comfortable, and, being GM mechanically, parts are available. My car of the week, had I the space and the $.
The trunk will need repair, appears a luggage rack was removed. Black with gold fleck, was that factory or a respray? The 305 would have to give way to at least a 350. Getting it in to the US? $27 K is a bit optimistic for the Avante II but the owner is open for cash offer, could be a good buy.
A timeless design, but needs redlines to break up the black…not the most flattering paint color.
Amazing how long After 1963 Studebaker shut
Down these guys were built with G M drivetrain s.
American 🇺🇸 ingenuity at it’s finest !
The Avanti (1963-1964) and Avanti II (1965-1983) were classy cars. The Avanti build quality was actually considered better than what left the Studebaker factory albeit with a different drivetrain. I would agree that after 1983 the Avanti lost a lot of its Raymond Loewy flair.
The original Avanti, and the later re-birth Avanti II made a lasting impression on me. Especially in 1984 at Mid-Ohio SCCA Escort 24 Hour Endurance Race. Like many cars, my preference is to see them in race trim. As for the factory road version, I can do without the funky bumpers, and the wire wheels IMHO. If the link works, check this one out. It is forever engrained in my mind. https://pbase.com/mwphoto/image/147781438
A classic design that still looks good.
I’d add one to my idyllic collection if I could turn that dream into reality. Honestly, I don’t see this model so much as a luxury car as I do a pony car, which would give it a historical jump over the Mustang by a year-and-a-half. Avantis of any year always draw my attention. I remember one older man in Salina, Kansas, who had a blue 1970 model which he would bring out to local shows. Knowing how rare these cars are, seeing that one was such a nice novelty relief from the typical car-show fodder–the fat-&-finned Bel Airs, the Mustangs, the Camaros, blah-blah-blah.
This old man(I’m 77) loves taking my 78 to shows and explaining the history. The biggest question I get is “what is it “. I fell in love with them in 1967 when I got to drive a 64 supercharged 4 speed. Bought mine 48 years later. It’s definitely unique.
A jump over the Mustang? Well maybe, thing is they didn’t sell over a half million the first year lol
According to the comments….This IS the car that gets the “Tony” awards ..FYI…my first ex wife worked in the office of the Avanti Motor Corporation while the cars were manufactured by Mike Kelly ..
“First ex wife”? How many ya got? Lol