The elegant and futuristic design of the original 1963-64 Studebaker Avanti gave birth to numerous Avantis of one sort or another offered on and off through as recently as 2006 (thanks to danjedlicka.com and wikipedia.org for some details). This particular 1987 Avanti LWB (Long Wheel Base) version seeks a new owner here on South Jersey craigslist.org with an asking price of $13,900. Thanks to B. Walters for spotting this ’80s evolution of a unique ’60s show-stopper.
The longer wheel base barely detracts from the car’s lines, and adds interest for anyone familiar with these vehicles. It will certainly set you apart from the other Avantis at your local cruise-in.
Sporty bucket seats in attractive leather face a fully-instrumented dash typical for the late 1980s. The seller reports no rips or tears and only slight typical wear on the driver’s seat from ingress and egress. You may notice attentive car owners deliberately raising and lowering their posterior before exiting and entering their cars to minimize this friction.
The Avanti’s GM-spec 305 cid small block V8 would have ranked among the best performance engines available in 1987. Should you desire more power, no engine is cheaper to modify. The seller reports “no surprises,” claiming that everything works including the ice cold air conditioning.
Better suited for sibling separation than extended make-out sessions, the rear seat of this long-wheelbase Avanti appears comfortable enough for long trips, and the console offers plenty of storage. With 57,000 miles on the clock, the new owner can enjoy this modern take on a ’60s classic without worry as miles between 58,000 and 99,000 will barely affect the car’s value. According to the seller this Avanti stickered at over $56,000 when new. Are you ready to give $13,900 for this one?
I had a “luggage” rack like that on my Spitfire; I took it off and I would on this car, too. It’s the only thing that spoils it. Nice car.
I really liked the original Studebaker cars. Though the later models were more refined, you can’t beat the original. Before production ended on these in 2006 they even had a 4 door available though I doubt many were sold. Nice find though, and appears to be in decent shape.
Wow, I didn’t know these came with 305 s, but I read up on it and yes, it was the only engine available from 1981 to 1991. In 1988 only, there was an optional supercharged version with 250 horsepower. This example should have 155.
I always liked the original Avanti, can’t say I care much for the LWB version. I am wondering, did the originals have that just-drop-it-on-top-of-the-seats console?
Too bad it’s not a 63 or 64 R4. I’d be all over it! LOL
I guess I am the odd one out here. I do like Studebaker’s but never liked the front end of the Avanti. Back end looks great. It looks like they ran out of ideas for the front.
How awkward will it look if someone actually put a big suitcase on the luggage rack?
Are you ready to give $13,900 for this one? Nope…. I am not
The original did not have a console in the back, and I am not sure, but the rear console may be particular to the long wheelbase coupes, as I have a standard wheelbase 87 that does NOT have a console in the rear. I haven’t seen a LBW Avanti in person, so I have no idea if this console in the rear was standard in all LBW models.
There were many changes on the Avanti II’s. I have owned both and not like the Stude versions the GM powered were nice and enjoyable to drive, The 82 was the last year they were on the original Stude type Frame, None of the II’s had the original suspension when Newman-
To Bob Sweeney there were many differences on the Avanti II’s and especially on the interior, most of which were improvements. I have owned both over the years of being a SDC member my last being an 82 and the final year they were built on the original frame. After that they were on I think it was the Monte Carlo frame and all things considered had a much nicer ride. When Newman-Aultman bought the Parts Depot and the tooling to the Avanta when they closed in 64 it was so they could continue to serve their customers as they were Stude’s largest dealer/distributor and had thousands on the road. They tooled back up with the first model out in 66 and all 66’s were special orderd and had the chevy v/8 I think most 327. They owned the mfg for anumber of years before selling out and Avanti Motors went through severa ownerships over the continuing years of which I thnk numberd 6-8 would have to do so rereading to remember how many and ended in the 90’s and there have been some further attemps since then into the 2000’s with a few examples but nothing to compare with these cars. To answer r your question the consoles were different and they pretty soon offered a much better option on seats the very poor low back buckest were replaced with better ones and through the years you could get the really nice leather adjustable Recarro buckets which mine had and much nicer. The biggest move was the first year 66 on to install the chevy engines they had to modify the front suspension and if you not the front end sat higher and never had that low rake on the front that the originals had changed the whole appearance. It just came too me I stand corrected the reason for the change in 83 was not for the frame alone but the US Fed’s implemented the bumper laws and that was the last year for the pretty metal bumpers and the next years went to the non bumpers or plastic which in my opinion killed the look as well some think different. I believe it was 88 when the mfg at that point switched to the Monte Carlo frame. They made a handful of convertibles from I think 87- to about 90 beautiful cars and as mentioned in the late 80’s one or 2 years they offered thse LS coupes which I think are hideous.In eary 90-92 there about they offer a 4 door sedan very low production and not many takers. Over the years they had a variety of engine options but in the 80’s most were 305’s and 350’s. All in al wonderful cars and I hope to own another one day. Drive anywhere in comfort and confidence of getting taken care of in most emergencies at your GM dealer.
aultman
alman
Just my opinion but I have never liked the styling of the Avanti. I do not see the attraction.
Well it was more the performance on the originals not the beauty, many are not familiar with its record, broke speed record at salt flats and if you aren’t familiar with them ask a few of the big 3 bays about it they got introduced some embarrassment for a time. They didn’t command the road forever
Always liked the Avanti and I guess I always will. I bought an Avanti back in 1964. It was made by AMT…but still. Years ago, I read that Studebaker made it through the 1950’s thanks to Eisenhower who gave Stude some government contracts to keep it afloat to avoid a communist propaganda coup if a venerable company like Stude went bankrupt under the capitalist system..
After I saw an original on Comedians In cars Getting Coffee, I thought I am going to have to look for one of these.
It was a beautiful car.
I had a 70 Avanti II. Bright blue. Beautiful car. It needed far more to bring it up to reasonable condition than the car could financially justify. I sold it. I also longed for a few more of the modern amenities
Currently thinking about this.