1963 Studebaker Avanti

1963 Studebaker Avanti

The rakish 1963-64 Studebaker Avanti was among the most daring 1960s American cars, a modern masterpiece with totally unique American styling that even top exotic Italian auto stylists wouldn't attempt to do. The Avanti had advanced safety features, when no U.S. automaker particularly gave a darn about safety. Such features included a built-in roll bar, padded interior and door latches that became structural body members when closed.

For consignment this early 1960 work of automotive innovation and art-form from Studebaker. This company has long since utilized interesting materials and innovations in safety and design in their earlier cars, and this is no exception. If we study these designs present day, they were really ahead of their time, but an automaker needs plenty of resources to survive against the big 3. We give you the 1963 Avanti in beautiful condition. This car is retro cool and was way ahead of its time.

ExteriorStarring in such roles as in Powerpuff Girls, Secret Life of Bees, and Mythbusters among many others, this particular Avanti although, not a movie star, is gracing our hallowed halls and adding a touch of midcentury modern to the showroom floor. Bathed in Avanti White, all straight steel panels are seen minding their gaps very nicely. The front design is Jetson'-esque dripping with mild century modern design, round headlights and a rounded tail which even the Porsche 928 would borrow from years later. A long front hood is behind those round only for 1963 headlights, and works its way up to a pristine windscreen, and roof with an integrated B pillar roll bar. A curved greenhouse glass rear window runs through the trunk line and forms a small trunk lid just behind it. All the details from the side view mirror supports, door handles and even badging, are stylistically handled in a very tasteful way, and reflect the midcentury era as well. Bumpers are just fantastic all around, and under the rear bumper, are dual large chromed tipped tailpipes peeking out. On all 4 corners, 15-inch Halibrand Style wheels with spinners are seen.

InteriorA swing of the the large doors that afford plenty of ergonomic space to access and egress, the panels are covered with orange tuck and roll vertical stitched vinyl in the middle with red carpeted bottoms, and on top at the sills is a clean cream, (fawn), panel also in vinyl. Pristine door handles grace these door panels, as does a stylized door pull. Swinging our eye to the seats we note gorgeous condition orange low back bomber buckets in front, and a nice bench with central armrest and side armrests with obligatory cigarette ashtrays inserted within in the rear. An orange console races forward, and houses a glovebox, gear shift, and some futuristic T levers for the air controls. Rising upward this central console has air vents and a fawn vinyl insert with an Avanti badge and surrounded by more orange vinyl. For the original dash which presents in fawn, we note nicely preserved original gauges within an oval with folded in corners. The original steering wheel is in front and is near perfect just like the dash. An original AM radio is perfectly inserted into the vertical ribbed padded dash also in fawn color. The floors are flooded with like new red carpet, and the headliner which sports a ribbed square pattern in white has a padded roll bar in fawn breaking it up in the center.

DrivetrainThe engine bay which has a correct 289 ci V8 and it is just showroom condition with nary a hint of corrosion, supple rubber pipes, shiny black metal, and plenty of chromed add ons which are highly polished. A single 4-barrel carburetor feeds this beautiful mill, and a Powershift 3-speed automatic transmission is on back. A Dana 44 with 3.31 gears makes for the rear axle configuration.

UndercarriageAll clean and freshly painted black steel frame which is straight as an arrow, floor pans with no rust, and rockers nearly perfect, this is as structurally sound as they come. A dual exhaust snakes its way rearward from the engine which shows no leaks, runs, drips or errors. The suspension includes front independent coil springs, and rear leaf springs, and brakes are power discs upfront, and power drums on the rear.

Drive-AbilitySo this writer clamored to drive this one, as I have an obsession with midcentury modern design, and in particular Studebaker's approach to the use of design and surfaces that are somewhat obtuse. This did not disappoint as it fired right up and took off like a jet towards the test track. Here it performed flawlessly, with great cornering, great acceleration, and good stopping power. All functions worked flawlessly, and there are switches and levers aplenty to learn to have all the functions work perfectly. Instructions included! All in all, a great car with a wonderful look and condition.

A piece of moving sculpture, a rolling work of art, a lesson in mid century design all wrapped up in nice paint, a beautiful interior, and showroom looking engine. A thrill to drive, and definitely a head turner, if it was on my to do list, I would not have been obligated to have written about it, and it would be sitting in my driveway, it is that good, and I'm picky! She's a beauty. Thank you Eames Era and orange vinyl.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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 located 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.