Vehicle Description
On the heels of its failed merger with Packard, Studebaker clawed
its way into the 1960s, with their image bruised and very much in
need of a makeover. The economical but unexciting Lark served as
the bread-and-butter of the range, while the Gran Turismo Hawk
offered buyers a stylish four-seater coupe. However, due to the
poor financial health of the Studebaker, the underpinnings of the
Brooks Stevens-penned Hawk remained firmly rooted in the early
1950s. Shortly after taking over the reins at Studebaker, company
president Sherwood Egbert recognized that buyers and dealers alike
needed a car to inject new life in Studebaker. While on a flight
from Chicago, he doodled out a proposal for a "personal car" to
take on the likes of the Ford Thunderbird. Upon arrival, he
promptly delivered his idea to Raymond Lowey's design team, a
wealth of talent consisting of Tom Kellogg, John Ebstein, and Bob
Andrews. Given just 40 days to bring Egbert's concept to reality,
the design team proposed both a two seat and four-seat GT car that
would utilize a modified Lark platform coupled with the 289
cubic-inch V8 engine lifted from the Hawk. After just eight days of
work, the team produced a two-sided clay mockup to present to
company brass. The bosses settled on the four-seat concept and
development of the newly named Avanti continued at a rapid pace.
The team selected the Lark convertible's chassis as a basis for the
high-performance Avanti for its superior torsional strength.
Engineers then adapted Dunlop-designed disc brakes (made under
license by Bendix) to create America's first production car so
equipped. As if Studebaker didn't have enough problems on its own,
an industry-wide steel strike caused a drastic increase in raw
material prices. However, given the complex and subtle curvature of
the new Avanti's revolutionary design, the decision was made to
build the Avanti body in fiberglass, supplied by the specialists at
Molded Fiberglass Body of Ashtabula, Ohio. The beautifully styled
body was a drastic departure from the Gran Turismo Hawk. Most
notably, the smooth, grille-less front end was a stark contrast
from the Hawk's large chrome grille and elaborate detailing. The
Avanti was in essence, the first car to feature bottom-breathing -
where radiator intakes are fed from below the front bumper. With
all of the fanfare surrounding its release, the Avanti was stricken
with production delays before finally hitting dealer showrooms in
the fall of 1962. Quality problems with the early MFP-built bodies
and the tenuous financial state of the company did not sit well
with some potential customers, and sales struggled to get off the
ground. Despite its performance and revolutionary style, just 3834
1963 model Avantis found homes. For 1964, only 809 cars left the
works before production terminated and Studebaker closed its
legendary South Bend, Indiana factory. As a testament to its
advanced style, the Avanti name managed to live beyond Studebaker,
first under new owners Newman & Altman and later as continuation
cars based on modern running gear. In spite of its low production
and troubled gestation, the Avanti has nonetheless earned its place
as a truly iconic American GT car. Our featured 1963 Studebaker
Avanti is an R1 model, finished in its original colors of Avanti
Gold over a fawn interior. It is the subject of a high-quality
cosmetic restoration by a noted specialist, and it presents in
excellent condition. The lovely metallic gold paint is laid down on
a beautifully straight body with exemplary panel fit and sharp
lines. In its day, the Avanti stood out for its clean lines and
elegantly simple detailing. This example retains crisp original
chrome bumpers, correct side-view mirrors, and polished window
surrounds. The restorer wisely avoided temptation and kept the
original steel wheels with superb factory wheel covers.
Period-correct whitewall radial tires give it a proper stance on
the road. With its factory correct colors and specification, the
purity and brilliance of the original design are uncompromised. The
interior features correct two-tone Fawn and Elk upholstery,
presented in excellent condition. Likewise, the headlining carpets
and interior panels are in fine order, and the car retains the
factory available seat belts front and rear. The Avanti's dash
styling is heavily influenced by the supersonic jet age, with a
driver-focused instrument pod and a clean, purposeful layout. Even
the center console air conditioning and ventilation controls mimic
jet throttles. In this car, the original steering wheel faces
superb restored instruments. Chrome handles, switches, and other
fittings are excellent, and this car has a later AM/FM radio in
place of the original. Studebaker's proven 289 cubic-inch V8 engine
resides under the forward-hinged hood and presents in lovely order
with plenty of period-correct details. The presentation is gorgeous
with correct valve covers, air cleaner, and various labels, tags,
and markings. The example features the optional automatic
transmission, as well as a modern rotary-type A/C compressor to
ensure comfortable, all-day cruising ability. Beneath the car, the
chassis and undercarriage appear in very good order, showing some
light use and patina appropriate for an accessible, road-worthy
example. The well-detailed restoration and sorted mechanical
condition make it suitable for shows and events with the Studebaker
Driver's Club, AACA, and others, and it is a beautiful car to use
and enjoy on the road. Thanks to the efforts of its meticulous
previous owner, it would make an excellent companion on driving
events. The Studebaker Avanti is a car that was well ahead of its
time and considered by many to be one of the great pieces of
industrial design of the 20th century.