Releasing a new model is always a calculated risk, but it is more so when the company is teetering on the edge of financial collapse. However, Studebaker rolled the dice in 1962 when it released its Avanti. It was a halo model designed to entice buyers into showrooms, but the Avanti proved to be too little, far too late. This 1963 Avanti is the desirable R2 variant that was part of the same family for sixty years. The seller worked to ensure it is a turnkey proposition, although the new owner has some tasks to undertake at their leisure. The Studebaker is listed here on Craigslist around Willits, California. It could be yours for $21,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty.

Studebaker’s Avanti’s styling has always divided opinions. Penned by legendary designer Raymond Loewy’s team, it went from a concept to a finished design in an impressive forty days. It was unlike anything else available then, although I have always found the back window to resemble a more restrained version of the one used in the later Jensen Interceptor. Studebaker decided to forego traditional steel panels, wrapping the exterior in rustproof fiberglass. The seller states this Avanti was part of the same family for over sixty years, coming into their possession in 2023. It has always been treated respectfully, and there is no evidence of fiberglass damage or other issues below its original Avanti White paint. It might benefit from a touch-up in a couple of spots, but its overall presentation is acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The hog troughs are the most trouble-prone area of any Avanti, but the underside shots confirm this Studebaker is rock-solid. The exterior trim and factory hubcaps are in good order, and the tinted glass is crystal clear.

Studebaker viewed the Avanti as its entry into the Personal Luxury Car market, meaning it emphasized interior comfort. It will accommodate five occupants, although it is far more comfortable if only two people occupy the back seat. The seller replaced a couple of panels on the driver’s seat, and the overall impression is quite positive. Studebaker offered buyers nine interior trim combinations, with this car’s original owner selecting Color Scheme No. 7 Red and Fawn. There is no appreciable wear on the upholstered surfaces, and the dash has one small crack in the pad. The carpet is worn in the back seat, and the seller recommends replacing the headliner. There are no aftermarket additions, with the new owner receiving power windows and an AM radio. There isn’t air conditioning because that wasn’t an option on the Avanti R2.

Technically, Studebaker offered buyers three engines to power their new Avanti, although most buyers selected the normally aspirated R1 or supercharged R2 versions. This car features the second powerplant, with shifting duties performed by a three-speed automatic transmission. The R2 was the 289ci V8, featuring a Paxton supercharger to produce 289hp and 370 ft/lbs of torque. The Avanti tips the scales at 3,390 lbs, making the ¼-mile ET of 15.1 seconds pretty impressive for a vehicle of this type. The news for potential buyers is mainly positive, with this car a numbers-matching classic. The previous owner experienced trouble with the original carburetor, bolting on an Edelbrock unit that is incompatible with the supercharger. However, the original carburetor is included and is suitable for a rebuild. The blower hardware is intact, so returning the car to its original specifications should be straightforward. The seller indicates there are a couple of minor fluid leaks but that this beauty runs and drives well. It is a turnkey proposition, allowing the buyer to return the V8 to blown form at their leisure.

The 1963 Studebaker Avanti represents one of the great “what if” moments in automotive history. The company was on the edge of bankruptcy when it released the Avanti, and this luxury model was not its savior. However, the Avanti lingered on long after Studebaker’s demise, with the tooling and rights passing through the hands of various individuals and companies in the following decades. That raises the question of whether it would have been a sales success if its creators hadn’t gone to the wall. What do you think?