Vehicle Description
1964 Studebaker Avanti
While he had Milwaukee-based industrial designer Brooks Stevens
working on emergency updates of the Lark and Hawk, Studebaker
president Sherwood Egbert called in Raymond Loewy to design a new
generation of Studebaker passenger cars. Loewy, who hadn't worked
for Studebaker since 1956, jumped in with enthusiasm, promising
Egbert a sporting coupe of revolutionary design, from which a
complete line of family cars would evolve. Studebaker quit before
the family cars were finished, but Loewy did give Egbert one brief
shining moment with the memorable 1963-1964 Studebaker Avanti.
Avanti in Italian means "forward" and this consignment certainly
does that. Not only with its supercharged engine, but with its
beautiful Mid-Century Modern design and forward-thinking lines.
Bring on the Starburst Clocks and the Beehive Hairdos.
Exterior
A coke-bottle waist forms the base for a thin-section roof with a
huge rear window and a built-in roll bar. Razor-edged front fenders
sweep back into the curved rear, then into a jacked-up tail. The
conventional grille was thrown out, and an air scoop added under a
thin front bumper, and an asymmetrical hump in the hood. All
fiberglass, this particular example shows some repairs in the form
of body filler, and not perfectly straight lines, with some rough
sanding done, but not smooth sanding, prior to the P6432 Turquoise
respray going on over top. An August of 1963 built car, although
titled 1964, there were about 50 of these built at this time with
the round headlights and round bezels. The remainder of 1964 models
were round headlights in square bezels. Making this a somewhat rare
car since only 809 units were produced in 1964. 15 x 7 Chrome
magnum style wheels are seen on all 4 corners; however, it is not
known if these are original to this car. Studebaker was famous for
making changes mid model, which is why there are slight differences
in same model years.
Interior
Inside, ample crash padding is combined with four slim-section
vinyl bucket seats and an aircraft-style wrap around wood grained
control panel. We see the built-in roll bar, only 1 of many safety
innovations Studebaker was famous for. Dripping with midcentury
modern, the center console has a small but groovy gearshift all in
chrome with small stem, and a ball at the top. The air vent
controls, heater and fan speed levers carry through with this same
ball on stem and are found below the dash. Speaking of the dash, it
is tucked and rolled stitched vinyl but is padded. Power brakes are
noted. Carpeting is dark turquoise and contrasts beautifully with
the light turquoise vinyl that dominate the interior surfaces.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood, and we are met with a 289ci V8 and one can't
miss the R2 Model highlight...the Supercharger snaking its way
across the top of the engine, feeding fossils and air into a
4-barrel carburetor. This produces 290hp which in turn makes this
car have very good acceleration, as well as a low rpm cruising. A
Borg Warner 3-speed automatic shifts smoothly, and
effortlessly.
Undercarriage
Independent front suspension, and leaf sprung rear suspension,
which works great in combination with the Dana 44 rear. Power disc
brakes are in front, and power drums on the rear. One can also note
the dual exhaust snaking its way rearward. and proving a tasteful
low growl of power being spent. Otherwise patina, and surface rust
are noted on the beefy Lark convertible frame, which was shortened
and modified, and fitted with anti-sway bars and rear radius
rods.
With a few faults in the fit and finish, this awesome rare example,
mostly like the original 1963 design, remains a stunner. If you are
a sucker (like I obviously am) for Mid Century Modern, then you
need to take a close look at this car. A really nice example, with
maintenance records, and repair notes from the current consigner.
Mechanically stout, and visually different but in a very cool way.
If it were not for initial fiberglass molding problems from the
factory in '63, the competition with the Corvette may have been a
whole different story. "Meet George Jetson!....Jane His
Wife!..."
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and
our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for
more information or to come see the vehicle in person.