Vehicle Description
It was no secret that in the early 1960s, Studebaker was up against
the ropes. Financial troubles that began years earlier led to a
dubious merger with Packard, and the failure of that relationship
left the company reeling. The product line consisted of good
quality, economical cars that didn't offer much in the way of
excitement. What Studebaker needed was a stylish "halo" model to
drive traffic into the showrooms, yet budgets were tight. Newly
appointed company president Sherwood Egbert had the idea for a
sporty "personal car" to compete against the likes of the Chevrolet
Corvette and Ford Thunderbird. A sporty new car could boost their
rather staid and conservative product line. He doodled out his idea
for a four-seat personal car while on a flight from South Bend to
California to meet with his design team, led by Raymond Loewy. At
the meeting, Egbert shared his plan and charged the designers with
the task of creating an image-booster for Studebaker, giving them a
virtually impossible timeline with which to do it in. After just
eight days of feverish work by Loewy, Tom Kellogg, John Ebstein,
and Bob Andrews, the team produced a two-sided clay model, one side
featuring a four-seat design, the other a two-seater. Company brass
settled on the four-seater, and the styling team refined the
concept for production. To power the new car, now named Avanti,
engineers used the 289 cubic inch V8 and reinforced chassis from
the Lark Daytona convertible. It was an affordable and reliable
platform for Studebaker to work with, and updates like Bendix disc
brakes added an air of sophistication. But the underpinnings played
2nd fiddle to what sat atop - the body by Lowey and his team was
jaw-dropping. Fiberglass construction allowed them to accurately
reproduce the coke-bottle curves and fine detail as penned by the
artists. The smooth, grille-less design was groundbreaking, the
first car to use a "bottom feeder" radiator and intake. It was a
clean, finely detailed, and sophisticated design. Ambitiously,
Egbert predicted Avanti sales of 10,000 units in the first year,
but thanks to production issues and concerns from buyers about
Studebaker's health, a fractional 1,200 were sold in the first
year, with fewer than 4,600 units sold the following year.
Studebaker ceased operations by 1964, yet in spite of the drama
surrounding its gestation and ultimate demise, the Avanti remains a
genuinely iconic automobile and a brilliant piece of American
industrial design history. Completed on August 23, 1963, this
beautiful Avanti R1 coupe is one of the first examples to feature
the revised square headlight treatment introduced for the 1964
model year. Presented with an excellent, high-quality restoration,
this Avanti has well-known history from new. Studebaker made
running changes between the 63 and 64 model years, with the square
headlight openings being one of the most noticeable differences
between early and late cars. This car's mid-August production date
coincides with the time of the changeover, and it is believed to be
one of the first dozen cars with the revised design. According to
factory documentation, this car left the South Bend, Indiana plant
destined for Broadway Motors in Chicago, finished as it is today in
Avanti Turquoise over black upholstery. Rather fittingly for an
Avanti, the first owner was reported to be a pilot for American
Airlines. He later sold the car to a colleague, who then passed it
to its first long-term owner. The fourth owner, an active member of
the Studebaker Driver's Club, acquired the car in 1999 and
performed the bulk of the restoration work during his tenure.
Health problems forced its sale in 2013 to the most recent owner,
also a dedicated Studebaker enthusiast. In his care, the Avanti was
extensively detailed and dialed in to enjoy on the road or in club
concours events. Accompanying build records show this car, serial
number R 5016, remains just as it first left the factory. Options
include a floor-shift automatic transmission, Twin-Traction
(limited slip) differential, silent mufflers, power steering,
pushbutton radio, electric washers, and sun band tinted windscreen.
With its exemplary restoration, this Avanti displays lovely
paintwork, good body fit, and fine detailing. The Avanti's unique
razor-edge chrome bumpers are in excellent condition, and the
distinct original wheel covers are in place on factory steel wheels
shod with proper narrow-whitewall BF Goodrich radials.
Aircraft-inspired design is a highlight of the Avanti's stylish and
comfortable four-seat cabin. This car looks particularly sharp and
sophisticated with its black factory-correct upholstery, presenting
in superb order throughout the cabin. The clear, easy to read
instruments are positioned in a wraparound binnacle ahead of the
driver, while the center console houses jetliner-style controls for
the heater and primary electrical functions. The headlining is
excellent, and this car features seatbelts as originally equipped.
Fittings and upholstery are all in fine order, befitting a car that
has enjoyed such meticulous care and restoration work. The car
retains its original matching numbers engine, Studebaker's proven
and powerful 289 cubic inch V8, beneath the forward-hinged hood.
Detailing is executed to a high standard, with gleaming chrome
plated valve covers and air cleaner, along with period-correct
labels, decals, and fittings. It shows appropriate levels of light
patina from regular enjoyment, and the recent history is backed
with service receipts and records. This Avanti is an outstanding
example of Studebaker's groundbreaking swansong GT car. Thanks to
its fine quality restoration and many years of care in the hands of
passionate aficionados, it remains in marvelous condition; certain
to provide many years of enjoyment on the road and in club events.
For additional details please view this listing directly on our
website https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6440-1964-studebaker-avanti/
