Anyone know about the Avanti?
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Anyone know about the Avanti?
I was watching a car show called "great cars" last night and they profiled the Avanti and the Avanti II. Now, I'm fascinated about the history of these cars. Has anyone ever seen an Avanti in person or has driven one?
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Studebaker?
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Studebaker, then a small specialty car manufacturer using Chevy small-block running gear as the "Avanti II." I think the bodies were fiberglass, but durability was not one of the Avanti's traits.
Think domestic equivalent of Maserati, without the racing heritage or number of different models...
I've seen them in various places here in California, but never driven one.
Think domestic equivalent of Maserati, without the racing heritage or number of different models...
I've seen them in various places here in California, but never driven one.
#7
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There are a number of them in this area and I used to have 2 or 3 that would come in regularly, but the owners have since sold them. They never really did much for me, just a rare car that was nothing special. Much like a Sterling, not comparing an Avanti to a Sterling, but saying they were both very rare and not worth the hassle.
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There's an Avanti supplier right down the road from where I live.
They usually have a few of their cars parked around the building.
I'll have to stop by some time and maybe take some pictures of the cars there.
I just found their website here: http://www.avantiparts.net/
They usually have a few of their cars parked around the building.
I'll have to stop by some time and maybe take some pictures of the cars there.
I just found their website here: http://www.avantiparts.net/
Last edited by jimbo3123; 02-28-2007 at 12:51 AM.
#10
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Definitely ranks as one of the ugliest cars in the annals of automotive history.
![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
#11
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#12
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Originally Posted by F23A4
Definitely ranks as one of the ugliest cars in the annals of automotive history. ![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
![Shrug](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif)
![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
#13
Back in the 80's, I managed a gas station one of the owners friends had an Avanti. It was a pretty nice car. As much as I tried, the owner said no way would he let a 19yr old drive his car. I think his wife got it in the divorce.
#14
I like the Hawk better....57 etc....
http://www.1956goldenhawk.com/diffhawk.htm
I use to own/drive a 53 studerbaker, ohv v-8, overdrive and hill hold...drove fine....
heard Avanti had issues
http://www.1956goldenhawk.com/diffhawk.htm
I use to own/drive a 53 studerbaker, ohv v-8, overdrive and hill hold...drove fine....
heard Avanti had issues
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Originally Posted by fla-tls
It's basically an uglier version of the 3rd generation corvette. I've never like the front end, but the back is ok.
![](http://www.familycar.com/Classics/images/63avanti.jpg)
![](http://www.familycar.com/Classics/images/63avanti.jpg)
#17
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Originally Posted by GreenMonster
![Shrug](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif)
![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
#19
I remember when I was just a young kid when they first came out and a couple of my uncles who were into "fast" cars were saying how fast the high performance Avanti's were; one told me he drove one from Toronto to London Ontario and hit way over 160mph which was pretty fast for those days. Doing some searching, I guess they were talking about the "R" versions, the R1, 2, 3 some of which were supercharged; some of those actually held the Bonneville land speed records for their class of car, Andy Granatelli et al were involved with that. but fugly imo
The guy who owned the company I worked for a few years ago bought one of the Avanti II's brand new, he always hoped it would be a good classic investment but to me those seem even less appealing than the originals since they're a hybrid mix of small block Chevy and the fugly looks.
The guy who owned the company I worked for a few years ago bought one of the Avanti II's brand new, he always hoped it would be a good classic investment but to me those seem even less appealing than the originals since they're a hybrid mix of small block Chevy and the fugly looks.
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Originally Posted by TSXey
I remember when I was just a young kid when they first came out and a couple of my uncles who were into "fast" cars were saying how fast the high performance Avanti's were; one told me he drove one from Toronto to London Ontario and hit way over 160mph which was pretty fast for those days. Doing some searching, I guess they were talking about the "R" versions, the R1, 2, 3 some of which were supercharged; some of those actually held the Bonneville land speed records for their class of car, Andy Granatelli et al were involved with that. but fugly imo
The guy who owned the company I worked for a few years ago bought one of the Avanti II's brand new, he always hoped it would be a good classic investment but to me those seem even less appealing than the originals since they're a hybrid mix of small block Chevy and the fugly looks.
The guy who owned the company I worked for a few years ago bought one of the Avanti II's brand new, he always hoped it would be a good classic investment but to me those seem even less appealing than the originals since they're a hybrid mix of small block Chevy and the fugly looks.
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Originally Posted by 04EuroAccordTsx
Do you know if there was an Avanti III?
Although the Avanti II used Chevy small block drivetrains, I don't recall if it used other Corvette components as well (brakes, suspension, seats, etc.).
As Tireguy said, like a getting Sterling and not worth the hassle (unless you have surplus disposable income).
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Originally Posted by 04EuroAccordTsx
Well that other guy's post was misleading.
Sorry for the confusion.
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Originally Posted by fla-tls
The body of the car was produced by the same company that made the molded fiberglass bodies for the corvette, and the Avanti II actually had the corvette 5.4L engine. They were actually designed to compete - but the Avanti didn't quite make it.
Sorry for the confusion.
Sorry for the confusion.
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gosh u're right that thing is ugly
even has the mustang odometer, all you guys are right if it's ugly then why is still alive and not dead?? so, i guess Ford builds them now instead of GM?
someone needs to bring back the DeLorean!!
![ugh](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/ugh.gif)
even has the mustang odometer, all you guys are right if it's ugly then why is still alive and not dead?? so, i guess Ford builds them now instead of GM?
someone needs to bring back the DeLorean!!
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Well, if I ever see one in person I'll make my own judge, all I can say is that it's a rare car, oddly styled, and unique in a way that you don't see cars that look like an Avanti at all. Probably because it's not normal looking.
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