1963 Studebaker Avanti R1

[@Hibernicus1968]

I can't believe he refers to this car as big. It really isn't. It's actually fairly narrow. It's built on the Lark convertible chassis, and the Lark was considered a compact car. I'm glad it's not bigger than it is. My house is fairly old, with a garage added on in 1950, which is pretty narrow, and my Avanti barely fits in it.

[@JeffHogge-n1f]

For this car, I'd sleep in the garage, and park the Avanti in the house! Just rip whatever size hole in the living room wall is necessary! 😅

[@richardkryston2990]

Let me add, thanks for posting this. I'm grateful for the ride-along since its as close as I'll ever get to actually driving one of these beauties myself.

[@bobscruggs8886]

I just purchased an Avanti ll 1982 with 95,000 miles a two owner car, the body is in great shape, 305 Chevy engine automatic. Interesting insurance cost is for full coverage driving less than 3,000 miles a year is about $ 350.00 a year used for car shows etc, full coverage about $ 2,700.00 a year, Avanti parts are easy to find from former dealers that purchased the old stock before they went out of business, Avanti ll parts are mostly Chevy, but some Thunderbird and Pinto parts here and there quite a mixture for sure . I get a lot of thumbs up when driving most can't figure what it is but love the Italian design Studebaker, handcrafted in the USA in !963 / 64, then new owners started making the Avanti ll . You sure have a classic well done restoration WOW !

[@tomj4506]

The most under rated & low priced collector car. Very advanced for its time. If you are not familiar with them spend some time looking at vids. If you want more oomph see the supercharged option. If you want to save a little && look at the Hawk also.... LFOD !

[@fabieneldridge3414]

I think they are Great Cars. Beautiful In it’s on way.!

[@retostaempfli-avoulou7467]

An amazing car with an amazing design! Nice clip 👌👍

[@AutosportDesigns]

Thank you!

[@carlrae7129]

Art in motion!

[@neildickson5394]

Stunning and timeless design. Still looks modern today, and a 63 Thunderbird does not. Looks like an Electric car being grill less, and this is a 60 year old car!

[@edarcuri182]

Excellent video.

[@AutosportDesigns]

Thanks very much - we appreciate it very much!

[@JeffHogge-n1f]

It's PRETTY! I want it! Do you know of any bank I can rob?

[@tedlawrence4189]

I have one that my Grandfather bought new from Newman Altman. It is white with red int. R1 automatic. Has orig. paint & interior and engine. 35,000 miles. Not terribly valuable as it is not supercharged.

[@blazecal]

Let me know if you want to sell it.

[@richardkryston2990]

Look at the dimensions. The Avanti is the original "pony car" years before Ford's Mustang saw the light of day... but the Mustang was in production for years before they shoe-horned a 240 hp engine into it. It started out with a 200 cid SIX or a 221 cid V-8! And the 240hp, 289cid Studebaker V-8 was the BASE engine. Adding superchargers (R1 or R2) pushed the output up to 275 & 300 hp. It is a shame Studebaker didn't survive. Imagine how much improved the Big Three's offerings might have been if they had to compete with the things Studebaker came up with out of sheer desperation to survive: Their GT Hawk was way better-looking than a Thunderbird, the Avanti had front disc brakes STANDARD before anyone else (giving it phenomenal stopping power for it's time) and the Lark could eat Chevy Novas or Plymouth Valiants for breakfast, lunch, & dinner day in & day out. If I had the money, I'd have one of each - and they'd be the only cars I'd own.

[@7x779]

If you sold this car how much did it sell for?

[@AutosportDesigns]

For the privacy of our clients we cannot disclose sales prices, however, it was certainly one of the best. New owner is extremely happy!

[@0cer0]

I so much want this car… Unfortunately, I’m in Europe and my budget is limited.

[@AutosportDesigns]

We routinely ship to Europe and would be glad to discuss our price with you and if that fits into your budget.

[@vernanderson4358]

No ?s only comments. 1- most gorgeous car of the sixties and WAY beyond. Nice to have the outside mirrors where they belong on the fenders. Needs glass packs for sure. Rear end sounds and performs like 331:1 set. 354:1 performs even better. Halibrand looking mags primo. This is the best and most reasonable presentation sans disinformation I've encountered in years. Too many people have been know it alls posting with errors galore. Appreciate some one that ACTUALLY knows Avanti basics. Body fit and finish in 63-64 was FAR superior to the same vintage vettes. R2 and R3 ,20 and 40 mph faster than 63-64-65 vettes. As to the thundertank?? By comparo the Ford was a loser of a barge. 20-50 years styling advanced over any big 3 car period. Big 3 never produced ANYTHING that began to compare to the Avanti yet to this day. And brakes?? Average big three car could only stop in 175-200 feet . The Avanti did it in 125 feet repeatedly with minimal fade. SO ADVANCED over the big three it was pathetic to even do a comparo.

[@AutosportDesigns]

Thanks for enjoying our road test videos!

[@BIGBADWOOD]

nice