1964 Studebaker Avanti

[moparnut]

1964 Studebaker Avanti - $29,900 - Warrensburg, MO - Over the years 1963 through 1964 only 4,643 Avantis were produced by Studebaker; 3,834 in '63 and just 809 in '64. Unfortunately, because of limited low production figures, there are very few on the market available for purchase today. Before you now is a rare, low mile (less than 29,000 ORIGINAL MILES) pristine example of the 1964 Studebaker Avanti RI still remaining in all its ORIGINAL designer splendor. We purchased this car locally from the widow of the second owner, who owned the car since 1968. With unique features such as a concealed rollbar built into the roof and strategically positioned switches inside the cockpit it seems these cars were not intended for the general public but for secret agents! Not only were the design features unique but the Front Disc Brake System and Front and Rear Sway Bars were the very first to appear on American cars! This car looks, runs and drives as new. Overall based on its rarity, uniqueness and amazing time-capsule condition this is one very special automobile!
Features, Options and Accessories:
Engine/Drivetrain:
289 C.I.D. V8 Engine, rated at 240 Horsepower
Original Carter 4 Barrel Carburetor
Factory Chrome Air Cleaner, Valve Covers, Oil Filler Dipstick
Borg Warner "Flight-O-Matic" Three Speed Automatic Transmission
Power Steering
Front Disc Brakes
Front and Rear Sway Bars
Heavy Duty Springs, Front and Rear
Interior:
Bucket Seats (front & rear)
Stylish Woodgrain inserts throughout the interior
Automatic Shifter on the floor
Original 2 Spoke Steering Wheel
Power Windows
Air Conditioning
Center Console with Storage Space, Ashtray and Lighter
Overhead Console with easy access light switches
Pushbutton AM Radio w/Rear Speaker
Heater and Defroster
Factory Full Instrumentation (No Idiot Lights)
Electric Clock
Fold-Out Vanity Mirror Case in Glove Box (Standard factory feature)
Factory Pass-through from Rear Seat to Trunk (Note: The factory design does not allow key access to the trunk from the exterior as there is a lever behind the passenger seat that gently releases the trunk open).
Jack and Spare (tactfully located under the trunk to allow extra storage space).
Exterior:
Avanti Gold Exterior Paint
One of the first things that jumps out at first glance of this unique automobile is the contour of the hood design in relation to the shape of the dash! Granted, the car looks great from every angle but the hood/dash transition-you just don't see those type of lines on cars.
Chrome Side Mirrors
Factory Dove Tail Door Latches
Tinted Glass
Chrome Bumpers
Steel Wheels with Iconic Avanti Wheelcovers mounted w/15" White Sidewall Tires
Armor Guard Full Frame Construction
Documents included are the original "Owner's Guide" in its original plastic sleeve, several original Avanti ads from 63-64, and the Avanti "Production Record", which we might call its Build Sheet.
Many of you will remember Tom McCahill of Mechanix Illustrated, he made these comments after test driving the newly released Avanti: "The Avanti body is the safest built in America today. Every sedan-type car should have built-in roll bars and as in the past, maybe Studebaker will lead the way." "The Avanti's steering is extremely quick . . . . takes the corners like a fly rimming a sugar bowl." "In the stopping department, the Avanti, with itsdisc brakes, will come to a halt faster than any car made in the country at this writing, from any speed, in any weather." "In summing up, the 1963 Avanti is the most different American car we have tested in many years. It has high style, good performance and more conservation-piece gimmicks than any other car that is due to come from Detroit for some time. I's advise you to look one over in person."


Link to ad on Hemmings.com

 

[Fishy]

There's one of these that sits up at a shop not far from our house. I see it cruising around town once in a while.

 

[Dr.Jass]

I like the hell out of this one. Even the wheelcovers are cool.

Of course, it has no business here since it's NOT MOPAR RELATED in any way.

 

[Stretch]

If it's a '64 and it has a ford 289 in it, how can it be original? I thought the 289 came out in '65. I'm sure ford would want to put their new engine in their own stuff first.

 

[68R/T]

If it's a '64 and it has a ford 289 in it, how can it be original?

:naughty: The 289 was a Stude designed motor, originally introduced in '49 as a 232ci. Quite the unique motor too. They were designed with 6 bolts per cylinder and were intended to withstand comp ratios as high as 14.1:1. They also came with gear drive cams, rather than chains. Studebaker, always thinking ahead, chose small displacement for a number of reasons, overall external size is one. Also smaller bores mean less ring friction and shorter strokes mean less ring travel. Together these add up to longer engine life. Many of these have been knbown to survive 350,000+ miles without being opened up. Plus Stude was also thinking of fuel economy, even when no one else was. Ford would have been proud to call the design theirs.

 

[Dr.Jass]

What 68 neglected to mention is that the 289 Stude and the 289 Ford are completely-different engines, much like the 360 Ford, 360 AMC, and 360 Chrysler.

Look at the valve covers, Stretchy-poo. You know a Windsor when you see one; nothing Windsor about that engine.

 

[Stretch]

I guess I assumed they were using ford engines. (I never clicked the link) I know they used chevy engines in later years.

Sorry I blew up!

 

[Dr.Jass]

Studebaker never used Chevrolet engines. However, when the Avanti tooling was bought by others and sold under the Avanti brand, they used Brand X engines.

 

[68R/T]

Studebaker never used Chevrolet engines. However, when the Avanti tooling was bought by others and sold under the Avanti brand, they used Brand X engines.

Correct, Studebaker never did, but the Avanti buyers did. Solely because it was the most economical. Their 1st choice was the FoMoCo, and MoPaR 2nd but the csb was the cheapest. :doh:

The Avanti rights & tooling changed hands a few times thru the 70's, 80's & up till '07.

quoto Wikipedia;

The last Avanti to date rolled off the line in Cancun, Mexico in 2007. It used a V-6 Roush Racing Engine. The factory and showroom still stand, as do many extremely rare Studebaker and Avanti concepts and racing vehicles on the second floor of the building in Cancun.

 

[Stretch]

Really? No chevy mills from the factory in Avanti's? I guess I've seen so many with small block chevys I thought they used them.

 

[Dr.Jass]

Studebaker had their own engines, casting molds and subcontracted foundries. It made no sense to outsource an engine since they were paying to have 'em made already for their other cars. If you should ever come upon a good deal on an R2 or R3 289 (Lark, Avanti, etc.), they were wicked little bastards. You gotta love a leetle tiny car like that with a factory Paxton supercharger. :dance:

 

[Stretch]

Yes I know Studebaker had their own engines. For some reason (mostlikely because of seeing so many conversions) I thought the Avanti's of the later years used chevy engines. I also thought the Avanti's were built by someone other than Studebaker. Kinda like the VW Karmann Ghia. Am I wrong on that as well?

 

[68R/T]

I thought the Avanti's of the later years used chevy engines. I also thought the Avanti's were built by someone other than Studebaker. Kinda like the VW Karmann Ghia. Am I wrong on that as well?

The later, NON-Studebaker, Avanti's DID use chevy engines. Studebaker only produced the Avanti for one year before the company went belly-up. More later, non-Studebaker Avanti's were built than Studebaker built themselves. That's why most of what you'll see are the later chevy powered Avanti's. A true, Studebaker powered Avanti is a very rare and valuable car. If anyone would convert a TRUE Studebaker Avanti to chev power they should be shot. What you've seen were most likely the later, 'aftermarket' versions.

So, you are right on all accounts

 

[Stretch]

Well that makes me feel alot better.