Cool Wheels Dude: 1963 Studebaker Avanti
What is an Avanti? It’s complicated. The Avanti name was first used by Studebaker to build cars on the Lark platform using mostly Studebaker parts and people from 1962 through 1963. But the fiberglass Raymond Loewy designed bodies appeared again in 1965 and the Avanti 2 assembly went through five different ownership arrangements before it ended in 2006. Those later cars were built on the Studebaker chassis with a Corvette engines, but today’s Avanti is an actual Studebaker with supercharged V8. Find this 1963 Studebaker Avanti bidding for $19,600 with a few hours to go, located in Langhorne, PA via ebay.
From the seller:
1963 Studebaker Avanti R2 supercharged
289 V8 supercharged
Automatic transmission
73,716 miles
We have a lot of documentation including Studebaker documents and invoices for the past 50 years.
Trunk latch is stuck and won’t open. This was my customer’s car and was in the garage the past 20 years and was started only a few times a year. When I got it it ran and drove but the carburetor was acting up so I had the original one rebuilt. Drives very well. Has a nice patina in some areas on the paint. It’s a good project for restoration or keeping it original if desired. Solid Driver!!!
I own a wholesale car buying company/towing company. All of the vehicles are hand selected by me who purchases them directly from the previous owner. I specialize in classic and unique cars!!!
Clean PA TITLE in my company’s name. I can help facilitate shipping and also provide Duo/facetime appointments for non local buyers.
FOR MORE PICS AND VIDEO WALK AROUND PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13dKkcH1-1h_iGmS0Fi7iAR3ojA_S-DoY?usp=sharing
See a better way to drive something cool? tips@dailyturismo.com
The funny thing about Studebaker V-8 engines is that Studebaker somehow thought that pump gas would be available with a lot higher octane rating than ever happened so they designed the engines to run reliably at a 13 to 1 compression ratio. Apparently an E 85 tune on one of these can produce rather phenomenal yet reliable results.
Love these. Not only is the exterior timeless but the interior is right up there with the XKE in looks. Except in this case the lack of a clutch pedal.
The SAE paper that Studebaker‘s engineers published about Studebaker V8 engine is probably about as funny a SAE paper is you’re likely to find.
The first paragraph starts out:The introduction of this engine was prompted by a desire to benefit humanity in general and Studebaker stockholders in particular. Specifically, the aim was to increase sales and profits by replacing a six-cylinder car with an eight that would cost less and yet have equal or better performance.
And a little later: Hence a long look forward was in order. In that look we seemed to see what other observers have reported – the possibility of higher compression ratios and hence, smaller combustion chambers…the threat of small combustion chambers led us, somewhat reluctantly, to overhead valves. (!?!?)
And ends with the paragraph : “Now when these things and many others like unto them had been accomplished there was constructed an engine. And in this engine the pistons did go up and down and did develop pressures which were both mean and effective. And in this engine the crankshaft did go round and round and from it there came forth both power and torque. And in due time there were other engines like unto this in every particular, and these engines were installed in vehicles which did move both forward and backward…and in the performance of these vehicles the owners thereof did find pleasure and satisfaction — we hope.”
Oh those wacky engineers.
“The SAE paper that Studebaker‘s engineers published about Studebaker V8 engine is probably about as funny a SAE paper is you’re likely to find.”
I would assume it doesn’t have much competition, but what do I know. Maybe those sly engineers slip in a joke or two.