I remember seeing my first Studebaker Avanti in the early 60s and thinking it was one of the most beautiful cars I'd ever seen. When Studebaker stopped producing autos, the rights to the Avanti were sold to private investors. The Avanti was produced in limited quantities for a number of years. Are they still being made? What has happened to the car company that was producing it? What are they worth?

I saw one the other day, but I haven't seen many in recent years.

 

I used to love the lines of that car. Now I think it looks a little dated.

The ownership went through a couple of hands. Studebaker started production in '62 with a 4.7 litre V8. Subsequently they offered supercharged models that were very sucsessful in racing.

In 1964 Studebaker closed the US factory and moved operations to Canada. In 1965 two businessmen aquired part of the defunct Studebaker factory and formed Avanti II. They produced Avanti cars that were externally identical to the original fibre-glass bodied car, but with different engines. They were purchased by another entity in 1986 and started producing four door and convertible models. Not sure if they are still producing anything today. Studebaker ceased production in 1966.

I drove several of the Avanti IIs and almost bought one with a GM 400ci small block (Pontiac I think). They did not handle well compared to other modern sports cars.

 

The Avanti bug bit me hard in the 60's, but lack of finances prevented me from scratching it. I would see one sail past once in a great while, bought books about the designer Raymond Lowey, etc., considered trying to buy an Avanti II chevy-engined one in the 70's, but never ended up with one in my stall. They never really handled all that well (understeer) but the styling was very strong and racy. Just a few months ago there was a Studebaker show here where I saw a dozen Avantis in a row--more than I had seen in 40 years! I have to say, they still look good. To these eyes, they don't look any more dated than the other good 60's designs, say, the Corvettes or E-Jags. But, to own one today, I don't think so; for one thing, the shifter looked as long as a pool cue. The first ones look better than the 70's versions, which like the E-Types were ruined by the Federal bumpers. But the final insult was done in the 90's, and is still manufactured I think, in Canada. The bodys now are fiberglas and are based on a Chevy Monte Carlo-- very stretched out to make four doors, and very bland, having none of the punch of the original. I think they are still being sold, but are called something other than Avanti. Seeing those 60's originals did stir the juices and reminded me how exciting cars can be.
Worth today? Seems to me I've seen originals run from $15,000-$50,000 depending. I could be mistaken.

 

I first saw them in Europe when I lived there in the early 60s. I thought they were so cool...and I loved the name.

 

About 20 years ago an older woman was in the bank parking lot talking to a man about her Avanti. The man was admiring it and she was obviously very proud of it. As I started walking towards the bank the woman pulled out of the parking lot and stopped at the stop sign. She had to cross four lanes to get to the other side but it wasn't busy. I saw the bus coming...I think she must have too but miscalculated and she pulled out anyway.

It's one of those images that gets burned into your brain and remains forever. She wasn't hurt but the bus got the rear quarter of the Avanti and spun her around as pieces of automobile flew everywhere. I believe that's the one and only Avanti I've ever seen and I'll never forget it...before and after.

Gary

 

When I visited South Bend IN about 20+ years ago (site of the original Studebaker factory), I found out that many original models (production? concept? dunno...) were in storage there. The location at that time was the rear of the school administration building in a warehouse. I stopped by and was allowed to wander around for a few hours alone Ever since that visit I have wondered whether its still there?

When I grew up in suburban Harrisburg PA, the area Studebaker dealer was located right on my AM newpaper route... so I always stopped to look at the new models from about 1958 until they stopped making them in the 60's. Silver/GoldHawks ...Larks...Wagonairres...Avantis...all were fun for a "car kid" to inspect

Funny thing...this same dealer then began to handle Fiats, and my Dad bought two of 'em in the early 70's. This dealer really knew the kiss of death

 

I had a friend I worked with that had one in the 60's. I think it was supercharged at 280 BHP. Anyway, I remember that the supercharger gave it a nice kick in the ass. Styling was way ahead of the times.

 

Rapier Avanti under the name Avanti II was made for many years. There are several around here. They run Chevy drivetrains.

They were nice cars, but If I was going to collect something similar I'd rather have a Studebaker golden hawk

There are a couple of Avantis for sale at the local classic car pusher if your interested in them...Supreme Auto in Naples Fl

fltsfshr

 

I agree. I'd rather have the Golden Hawk too, but as an 11 year old kid looking at it from the window of the school bus, I thought it was beautiful.

No, I'm not interested in owning one but thank you anyway.

 

Wow saw one on rt. 46 about 1 year ago. The only Golden hawk I have ever seen on the road. I am only 33. Got very excited and gave my girlfriend the hidstory lesson...sure she was thrilled.

The avanti 2....I was under the impression in the 80's they where based on the gm f-body frame (camaro, z-28, firebird) .