The Studebaker Avanti was one of my favorite cars back in the early '60s. It was designed in 1961, introduced in 1962, and manufactured in 1963-1964 by Studebaker. Then it changed hands a few times and believe it or not, the same basic car is still manufactured today, after more than 40 years, by Avanti Motor Corp.. Here is a picture of the 2005 model:



Looks a lot like the original Avanti of 1962, except for the convertable top.

 

As a kid in the 60s, I thought the Avanti was one of the most beautiful cars that I'd ever seen. Today the styling looks a bit dated, but I too am amazed that they are still produced.

 

I do! It was the International car of the year in (I believe) 1963? It has always been one of my favorites with truly classic timeless styling (well at least the original coupe). If I am correct Studebaker never made a convertable.

 

Rob,

As do we.

 

This is the car that boasted that it had no straight lines on the entire car.

 

Without the rectangular headlight housings and the wire wheels, it's just not the same.

I loved the Avanti as a kid in the 1960s, with its then avant garde look. I considered buying one in 1982 - I still have the order forms - but I wasn't really ready to buy a new car yet. After Blake took the company over and ran it into the ground, though, I kind of lost interest - and while the company had been resurrected by the time I actually bought a new car in 1988, the look was no longer avant garde by then.

 

Avanti makes an Hummer-esque SUV (aka XUV)

Here are the specs! And the pics!

2005 XUV
XUV DIESEL

Engine:6.0L Power Stroke, V8 Turbo Diesel

Type:OHV (32 Value)

Horsepower:325 @ 3300rpm

Torque:560 @ 2000rpm

Transmission:5-speed automatic, Heavy Duty

Brakes:Four wheel disc


XUV GASOLINE

Engine:6.8L Triton, V10

Type:SOHC

Horsepower:310 @ 4250rpm

Torque:425 @ 3250rpm

Transmission:5-speed automatic, Heavy Duty

Brakes: Four wheel disc

 

I liked it back in the 60s. I first saw the car when I was living in France and thought it was cool!

 

They had 327 or 350 engines back in the 60's didn't they? And wasn't there also a supercharged version?

 

I haven't seen one, or even a pic of one in probably over thirty years. When I was a kid, I thought the Avanti was the coolest thing on four wheels. Now it doesn't appeal to me at all. Oh well, another childhood ideal bites the dust.