Few automobiles have had the afterlife story of the Studebaker Avanti. After failing in 1963-64 due to the weak finances of its parent, the car was resurrected in 1965 and would stick around in some fashion until 2006. This 1983 edition of the Avanti II sits in a parking lot with flat tires and may have some interior damage. With Chevrolet engineering underneath, this “tinkerer’s dream” is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and available here on craigslist for $10,000. Our thanks to Mitchell G. for turning us on to this project car!
With its fiberglass body and luxurious appointments, the Avanti was supposed to have helped save Studebaker. But that was not to be when U.S. production of the company’s products ceased at the end of the calendar year 1963 and the 18-month-old Avanti was discontinued. But two Studebaker dealers thought the Avanti could survive on its own and bought the name and manufacturing capabilities and began building the Avanti II in 1965. From then until the 21st Century, these mostly hand-built cars would see production numbers similar to the original (nearly 6,000 total but over 40 years).
The seller’s car was one of 289 assembled in 1983 by the original owners of Avanti Motor Co. It should have a Monte Carlo chassis underneath and perhaps a 305 cubic inch V8 in the engine compartment. If the car is original, it would also have a TH-350 automatic transmission, not a manual as we’re told. The seller only provides three photos, which do not include the power source or the interior. With ancient tires and a leaky sunroof, there’s no telling what you’re going to find that needs work. But mechanically, it should be an easier restoration given the availability of GM components used in the car. It has at least 120,000 miles of use.
BF: …assembled in 1983 by the original owners of Avanti Motor Co. It should have a Monte Carlo chassis underneath….”
Nope. These used the Studebaker chassis through 1984.
Actually, the original Studebaker chassis was used through the 1985 models. None were built in 1986, and the new Avanti Motors owner began production with 1987 models on the Monte Carlo chassis.
When the Studebaker dealers were trying to save the Avanti, they took the product to Checker, yes, Checker the cab maker, to see if they had any interest in producing the car
Checker, maker of those boxes on wheels that look like oversized tin toys declined, because it was too “ugly!”
Correct!
It should have a 200-R4 4-speed auto, not a TH-350
Correct!
It should have a 200-R4 4-speed auto, not a TH-350
Seems like a great deal, but not without more information. Looks more ilke an abandon car for sale
Agreed! That was my first thought too. Proof of ownership/documentation is always important… especially in this case!
What we get from a lot of Craigslist ads…not much
As a wise man once said, “There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Avanti”.
That wise man never bought a cheap Rolls-Royce or Bentley! Avanti repair cost pale in comparison!
Avant I or II this never really caught on. Reminds me of the Bricklin era both died.
Big difference… Bricklin lasted just a year or two; Avanti lasted 27+ years after Studebaker.
I love the Avantis but attempting a halo car when you’re having issues was a bad move. Problems with the outside fiberglass manufacturer and finicky engines pushing 1 hp per cubic inch in 1963 put buyers off. This looks nice, but as noted, much more info is needed before making a move.
my understanding is that the biggest problem with the fiberglass body is that it was made by the same Contractor that made Corvette buddies for Chevrolet. Guess who got priority?
Finicky engines? I don’t think you could find a more stout, long-lasting, trouble-free engine than the Studebaker V8, in all its forms. I have owned many, and still do. They rightly deserve the term “Bullet-proof”.
Kenny,
You are so right. I ran a shop that specialized in Studebakers, and it was a rare situation where a 259 or 289 needed rebuilding, even in cars that sat unused for decades.
Yup, if anything, the Stude V8’s main problem was that it was a bit too stout, weighing quite a bit more than the competition. However, that robustness lent well to forced induction and longevity.
Oof, that slightly cracked-open sunroof may bode ill for interior condition and maybe floorpans, unless maybe it had a decent car cover they just took off for these photos.
The original Avanti (with the round headlamps), yay! All the followers, nay.
Avanti designer Tom Kellogg (one of the three designers hired by Loewy) alway said, “Real Avantis have round headlights!”
I have often wondered how readily an Avanti II could be reverted to the original round headlight look, along with a reversion to the original raked stance and higher front wheel arches that might be possible with a modern low-profile FI intake.
Google Street View at the address – 2601 Susquehanna St, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – shows the car in the same spot since October 2022. Last photo before that was Novmeber of 2020 and it was not there then…
I found the picture on Google Street view, wish I could post the photo screenshot here. It’s got a blue tarp covering the front half of the car.
That’s not a $10,000 car! Maybe $3,000-$4,000 at best.
Lew,
I concur, too many unknowns that can quickly become money pits. Interiors in the 1980s Avantis were mostly made op of materials for home furniture, especially the wool shag carpets. I suspect if this has sunroof leaks, the main reason there are no interior shots is because of a huge amount of interior organic rot.
As someone mentioned above that the floors might have rusted away, I can say NOPE- it’s a full fiberglass body on a steel chassis. But then again, that fiberglass body tub and lots of glass may have acted like a terrarium!
i’m guessing at a minimum it’s going to need an interior, hog troughs, brakes gone through, and the engine and drivetrain needed a full servicing.
At the very least… and in addition it’s likely that all that work doesn’t include fixing whatever caused it to be parked to begin with.