A guilty car pleasure of mine is the tendency to gravitate towards cars that many others might consider strange. Of these, the model I find myself searching for the most on ClassicCars.com is the Studebaker Avanti.
There are a number of reasons for this infatuation. The first is that my friend, car-market expert and appraiser Dave Kinney, loves and collects Avantis, and I have caught the Avanti bug from him.
The second reason is that the creation story of the Avanti is simply amazing. The unique design was produced in less than two months by Raymond Loewy and his genius team, all of whom were sleep deprived during that period in a Palm Springs, California, rental house.
Third, the Avanti was the first time an American manufacturer had created a GT car of any kind. I love grand touring cars, and this was the start of this category in the U.S.
Finally, a black Studebaker Avanti was bought new by none other than James Bond author Ian Fleming. My being a huge James Bond fan explains the importance of this fact.
This leads me to the Pick of the Day, a 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1 from the first year of production, finished in Ebony Black with a Fawn interior.
Studebaker painted very few Avantis in black due to trouble they had with quality control of the paint on the fiberglass bodies. If this is an original Ebony Black car, it is quite rare and, who knows, it could be Fleming’s car, which has been lost for decades.
The seller states that this car features gleaming chrome trim, a smooth 289/240-horsepower HP R1 V8 engine, automatic transmission, rare factory A/C, power steering, power disc brakes and power windows. More importantly is that the “hogs troughs,” important chassis components on either side between the axles and typical trouble spots for Avantis, appear to be totally rust free.
The car includes books with years of service records, according to the West Chester, Pennsylvania, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com. It recently received mechanical work that included new brakes, gas tank, fuel pump, carburetor, tune-up, belts, hoses and fluids, among other items, and is said to run and drive beautifully.
The Avanti was the swan song of the great Studebaker company, and these cars are both important and interesting. Some people love them and others hate them, while I find them to be visually stunning with loads of personality, and exemplifying mid-century modern design in the best way.
Avantis have been climbing gradually in value, and the asking price of this car at $26,500 seems more than reasonable.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
It is not Fleming’s Avanti. His black Avanti had a Black interior.
http://www.studebaker-info.org/AVDB3/ianf/sm0463p275.html
Lewis, thanks for your research, even though I doubt anyone thought this was Ian Fleming’s car…
Avanti is on my very short list of all time favorite cars, and even shorter list of attainable favorite cars. Someday…
Have owned a late vin. 64 Avanti for 50 years in the Denver area. White and burgundy interior, loved the car. Was automatic,supercharged 289 Studebaker engine, built in South Bend before Studebaker closed their Avanti production. Approximately 4800 cars produced during the 63 and 64 years, 3/4 of them where 63 round headlite cars.
The black car you are showing looks like a late vin. # 64, because of the upgraded interior. Always enjoy seeing good survivor Avantis. Thomas
The 64 Avanti had the wood grain in the dash around the gauges.
I would saw this is a 63.
Like my R-2 # 2082 the1082nd Avanti.
Can’t see on this car but the 64 had a short grill air intake between the windshield and the hood in front of the driver to help cool the engine compartment.
The 63 only had the long one on the right side.
The 63 hood prop arm was on the left front of the hood. The 64 it was on the right.
Looks like you somehow ended up on this article a year and a half late, too. Anyhow, click on the link to the advertisement. There are lots of pictures. The body is 63R-Q311, and the serial number is 63R1154, actually 63RII54, since Studebaker likes to confuse the BMV and sheriff. The Avanti had running changes. There were no model year changes. The only thing that makes an Avanti a 1964 vs a 1963 is how it was titled when it was sold. Studebaker got rid of the 63 on the body and serial numbers part way thru the 1963 model year and never made anything with a 64 on it.
Hmm, my ’64 s/n begins ’64-R….over 50 years of ownership
My neighbor was a district manager for Studebaker. They were also the importers of Mercedes. He would, on occasion, bring home a 300SL and then later Sis. He also brought the first Avanti I ever saw. I loved in at 15 and I love it now. But I don’t have one. I do have a 2002 BMW Z8. Love it too.
Is this car still for sale. If so, I may be interested in it. I was born and raised in South Bend and have always dreamed of owning another one. I had a 1963 Avanti years ago. LOVE them. Living in Arizona so need AC & automatic transmission. Where is the car and can it be seen in person. The Vin# would be helpful. Thank You Kindly for your time, sincerely….duane