BF Exclusive: 1963 Studebaker Avanti
It’s a shame that Studebaker had to close up shop only a year after introducing the Avanti. Their unique car was futuristic and found enough of a following that people are still trying to keep the model alive today. It featured a fiberglass body, powerful engine options, and a striking exterior design. This particular example has been parked in the owner’s garage since 1986 and is claimed to only have 70k miles on the clock!
This engine was last started two years ago. You could get three different power levels in your Avanti. The top two were supercharged, but this is the base R1 model. That’s not a bad thing though. There’s a four-barrel on the top of that 289 and it put out 240 horsepower which was more than enough for some high-speed cruising.
Avanti owners traveled in style too because the interiors were nicely trimmed with a few European touches. The red and fawn surfaces look good and, if original, make the mileage count believable. It could use new carpet though. This thing was well-outfitted with power steering, power brakes, power windows, automatic, and air conditioning!
There’s some paint flaking on the trunk, but the body looks good overall. There’s some corrosion on the bumpers and I’d want to take a look underneath to see if there are any rust problems. If not, I’d probably try to preserve what’s here rather than completely restoring it. The missing the wheel covers, ignition shielding, and hood “S” ornament are included in the sale.
The black over red color scheme looks pretty sinister. There are quite a few scratches and flaws in the paint, but it would be fun to see what it would look like after a thorough detailing. It’s amazing what you can do with some polish and lots of elbow grease. There have been a couple of iterations of the Avanti since this one was produced, but a Studebaker-built one like this is what I’d want!
This survivor Stude is located in Oaklyn, New Jersey and the owner is asking $8,000. You can contact Ralph here via email if interested. Also, if you have an original car like this sitting in your garage that you’d like to sell, please consider listing it with us!
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Comments
Sweet Deal BarnFinds! One thing thats fun about these is that they are actually quite narrow. In the front you will sit almost elbow to elbow with your passenger. I resuscitated one this year that sat for 20. Great engines, great car, good score here.
I don’t think it would have mattered, about Studebaker and this car. It just was too far out there for most, styling-wise. Personally, I never cared for it either. Studebaker had some of the best mechanicals in the business, but I believe the handwriting was on the wall when this car came out. Too little, too late. Don’t get me wrong. The Avanti is an awesome car. The dash and interior was one of the coolest. The console, the “T” switches, all aircraft inspired. Too bad indeed. Who knows what would have come out of South Bend had this car really took off? This person could darn near ask whatever they want, and $8g’s seems like a good buy. Try and find another. You want a decent Avanti to fix as you go, you can’t go wrong here. The Avanti was just that cool and what it meant historically. The end of one of transportations biggest names. (btw, excellent Studebaker museum in South Bend, Ind. If you are in the area, take some time to see it)
Its identical to a round headlights ’64 that I bought in April 1966 as a 17 yr old. I drove the daylights out of it for around 3 years before selling it and getting a ’67 Chevelle SS396. Today I have a restored ’76 Avanti II that I have driven to meets all over the country including being to the East coast twice and once to the west coast. I also have and ’89 convertible that I enjoy during the summer months. I’ve always wondered what happened to my first Avanti. I’m from Illinois, but this Avanti has the black color with the red and fawn interior and tuxedo carpeting along with automatic, R1 motor and AC like the one I had. There could not have been that many with the same color and equipment made. Not mine as I just noticed the car has power windows, which mine did not have. It makes me wonder if I should get it as a retirement project though!
Jersey, huh?
Underneath pictures please!
What the frame looks like goes a long way to justify the price here.
Wasn’t there a write-up on the replacement of the “dog boxes” (IIRC?) on here over summer? (hey, on that trailer site, maybe?)
I don’t remember everything quickly anymore.
Well, most things quickly anymore. Dang it!
But, I always loved these. Dad bought Packard’s and then Studebaker’s till they folded.
You’re close …”hog troughs”
Ah, Ok, Thank you, I’ll take all the help I can get!
Ralph, Please drag it into the light.
I’m sure more pix’s would be posted.
The frame was from the Lark. The round headlight bezels were only used in 63.
Round headlights were available to the end if you ordered them.
Some early 64’s got the round headlights…..
If I had the money and garage space (OK, a garage!) I’d be really tempted. I like the interior colors and would rather have an R1, partly because the R2 wasn’t available with AC.
Looks like a great project for someone.
Always loved the style. I had a 63 Avanti. It was made by AMT but when you’re 10 years old what can you do?
There is something odd about the angle of the right rear wheel. It looks like the rear end has shifted somehow.
Not sure if this adds any perspective on this one, but the one mentioned here awhile back here in NH is still for sale. Still sitting in the same Equipment Surplus lot surrounded by junk with 9500 written on the windshield. The CL ad lists it at 7500, which might be a great deal, or not.
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5710819957.html
I hate seeing it sit there, it needs an Avanti enthusiast to rescue it from it’s terrible location.
“Needs an Avanti enthusiast…” For sure, but well worth the effort. We all knew when these came out that they were CLASSIC cars. Hope this gets the treatment it deserves.
I saw the right rear also and was wondering about it, I picked up a 75 Avanti currently sorting out! Hog troughs are replaceable lots of work & expensive.
The rear is fine.The driver side front tire is completely flat. That side of the car is dipping down and the passenger side rear is lifted up.
How do I go about listing a car on your site?
Here’s a link with more info: http://barnfinds.com/submissions/