1963 Studebaker Avanti
The 1963 Studebaker Avanti had a remarkably slippery shape, even though designer Raymond Lowey had not had time for wind tunnel testing – he just guessed! In late 1962, Granatelli broke 29 Bonneville Speed records with an Avanti R3, traveling faster than anyone had before a stock American car Unfortunately Studebaker failed to deliver Avantis to dealers fast enough to satisfy the initial wave of orders. By the time all the bugs were out most of the customers who placed advanced orders gave up and bought Corvettes or Imports. Fewer than 4600 Avantis were produced during 1963. Production had already ceased by the time Studebaker stopped car production in South Bend in December 1963.
Our example underwent an extensive restoration and reconditioning process. It had been in storage for a number of years and was brought back to life after countless number of parts and 1000s of man hours. New OEM correct interior, seating, door panels, carpet, new tires, new mufflers, new battery, new alternator, new fuel sender, new air cleaner assembly, new master cylinder, new carburetor, new electric fuel pump and much, much more. The finished project is something to behold, both mechanically and cosmetically, great looking car that drives as good as it looks. Cold air conditioning, factory tach, Motorola AM/FM stereo, power steering, power brakes, and more.