1964 Studebaker Avanti

1963 Studebaker Avanti R1 with only 78,000 miles. All original with the exception of one high quality repaint in 2001. The exterior trim and chrome are in excellent condition. The interior is also in excellent condition showing minimal wear. The car has been maintained mechanically with recent front brakes, all new tires, oil service and transmission service. The car has Mallory electronic ignition for better performance and decreased maintenance. Please call Joel Rippa at 802-233-3214 for more information. The original design for the Studebaker Avanti took only a few weeks for Raymond Loewy and his design team to create. Production began near the close of 1962 and soon attracted the attention of several celebrities and a large number of consumers. To showcase the cars capabilities, Andy Granatelli drove a specially-prepared example to over 170 mph at Bonneville. This meant the Avanti was the 'Worlds Fastest Production Car' at the time. Studebaker's answer to the Chevrolet Corvette was the Avanti. It has been described as 'one of the more significant milestones of the postwar industry', gaining iconic status with enthusiasts and collectors. Designed by Raymond Loewy's team of Tom Kellogg, Bob Andrews and John Ebstein on a 40-day crash program, the Avanti featured a radical fiberglass body design mounted on a modified Studebaker Lark Daytona 109-inch convertible chassis with a modified 289 Hawk engine. Only 4,643 Avantis (not including prototypes, some of which were assigned serial numbers at the end of the run) were produced. Powering the Avanti was a modified version of Studebaker's dated but sturdy 289-cubic-inch V-8. This “Jet Thrust” engine developed 240 horsepower in standard “R1” form, with such items as a 3/4-race high-lift camshaft, dual-breaker distributor, four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. It developed 290 horsepower in supercharged “R2” form. This 1964 Avanti is one of 809 built for that model year and one of very few with round headlights.