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Remember the Avanti? Although it was only produced by Studebaker for two years, it was not forgotten. Indeed, it was the luxury car meant to save the doomed Studebaker brand, but only wound up being its last gasp before the factory doors closed in December 1963 thanks to poor production rates. Nevertheless, its name has become something legendary in the automotive world.
The car was by no means ordinary; the lack of grill, jet-age contours and technology, as well as aviatic controls and instruments were intriguing and ahead of their time. In small numbers and by sheer niche interest, the car continued to get produced over the next forty or so years, first by Studebaker dealer Nate Altman and partner Leo Newman, and then by a D.C. lawyer and later still an ethanol developer.
Bankruptcy and innovation busted and boomed the car throughout the years, but it has persisted still. It has become known as a sort of Lazarus of cars–it is a car that just keeps coming back.
In today’s find from CarsinBarns.com, several Avantis of different periods were discovered by Chris in southern Michigan, all of them in various states of disrepair. The owner of the Avantis claims he restores them, but has only managed to put up three for sale in the past eleven years.
Of the ones left to rot, Chris reports there are three that are just stripped shells with no engines, interiors or frames. “One looks like it was a perfect car, but had caught on fire,” he says. “Another one is covered with junk and is stripped. Two other ones look like they have solid bodies, but the interiors are gone as is the chrome. The last two look like someone started cutting up bodies, for donors to other Avantis.”
So, none of the Avantis are ready to roll down the road in style, unfortunately. But at least some of them could be restored with parts from the others.
We’d like to think that owner would be willing to part with these rust buckets rough gems for a reasonable price. Perhaps you could get one of them converted into a dragster, or even get it lifted and add some big tires, and add a 4WD drivetrain to take it off-roading. Just please, whatever you do, don’t turn it into a donk.
What do you think? Is there any chance of reviving these sporty Studebakers? Or are they a lost cause in their condition? Let us know in the comments.
