1963 Studebaker Avanti R2- driving video

Driving video

[@felixmadison5736]

I was 14 when this '63 Avanti hit the streets. I owned a 1964 Studebaker Lark in 1971, and it was one of the best and most reliable cars I've ever owned. Studebaker was ahead of it's time, but the world hadn't caught up yet.

[@MichaelRHull-wy7wg]

Loved it! You can definitely hear that whistle of the Supercharger. And no music in the background that I appreciate. Great video of a unbelievably advanced car for 1963.

[@biarritz84]

What a timeless & ageless beauty, they certainly don't make them like that anymore 😊 I'm in love 😍

[@nygelmiller5293]

Bob G. EXACTLY my own thoughts on this subject!

[@transamman8299]

My avanti story. I'm 8 years old .a friend of my father's that was a salesman at the local studebaker dealership. He calls my dad up and says hey Kenny come over and see this new studebaker I think you will like it. Dad and I loaded up and went to see this new studebaker. When we got there I saw the most beautiful car I had ever seen. My dad and his friend loaded up in the car with me begging to go with them.dad said no I stood there on the sidewalk crying. I never got a ride in a real studebaker avanti. Still love them to this day.

[@nygelmiller5293]

I myself almost cried, when I heard your story!

[@opera93]

Thanks, I always did “ dream” of owning a *STUDEBAKER AVANTI ( * later, maybe even an “ Avanti”, but other , life & values came up)……actually thE “ R CODES, Disc brake,4 SPD variety initially…..These Studebaker Avanti’s had an incredible mystique, & excitement

[@renyaw1963]

This car was amazing for 1963 just beautiful

[@robertericbrown5338]

I bought an R1 from the original owner in 1986. In the 11 years I owned the car it turned heads where ever it was, a real star of classic cars. I once drove from OC California to San Diego and it ran tight and fast round trip. Sold the beauty to pay for restoration of my 1966 427 Corvette,
I wish to this day I would have had the money to keep them both.

[@306champion]

Very nice mate. Until today I never knew of the Avanti but what a machine.

[@rondye9398]

Love that supercharger whine. Thank you for the drive. Own a '57 supercharged Golden Hawk.

[@tonyadams6375]

The Avanti has always been my dream car. One day…

[@nygelmiller5293]

In those days, car manufacturers actually gave you features TO like.For example, the lovely chromed controls, elegantly positioned for both style, and function, simultaneously. Chance would be a fine thing, nowadays!

[@davidkeizor3494]

I was lucky enough to take my D/L test @ 16 in a gold 63 R1 4 speed it was his company car which he latter bought Loved that Avanti

[@herve1968]

Très beau et superbe Studbaker

[@jeantetreault132]

Beautiful! dazzling car and what a nice ride too! The thing about Studebaker Automakers is that they had unconventional model designs, that were far different from Ford, Mopar, or even General Motors. Personally! this car should have had a grill in front, but that's only my opinion. Thank you! for this great memorable presentation! Johnny Montréal Canada.

[@randallbargar348]

Studebaker's best. At least 20 years ahead of its time.

[@georgesilverman9218]

my brother had a 63 avanti with r4? engine, q 289 with twin paxton superchargers. the speedo said 160 mph. we got it up to 140, but had to get out of it, the car was 12 yrs old at the time and couldnt keep it on the road safely. but it was one hell of a car !

[@willthetrill4849]

Never heard of the twin Paxton supercharged Avanti. You know any info on that?

[@JeffDeWitt]

@@willthetrill4849 The "Duo Cento", sometimes called an R5. It was a dual supercharged 305 engine, but as I recall there was ONE built and it was never a production engine. There were a very few R3s, (supercharged 305), but the vast majority of Studebaker Avanti's had either the R1 (non supercharged, high compression 289), or like the car in the video, the R2 (supercharged 289).

[@foxtrot801]

Thx for the ride! classic 😍

[@BIGBADWOOD]

Love that blower whine 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@rickbledsoe5064]

Awesome original car. Love the supercharger.

[@VI-rt7sh]

Beautiful car. Great video.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

That is a gorgeous, classic car, we need more of these than imported shiteboxes.

[@fd797]

Thanks for the ride. Love hearing the supercharger whine. I can't help but wonder what happened to Studebaker. I see a revolutionary car. The looks of the Avanti are in the eye of the beholder - aside from that, fiberglass body, 289 with a blower, dash to die for, and beautiful interior. Compare to other 63's? Nice ride.

[@nygelmiller5293]

I'm afraid I don't agree! Although the engine in these is so relaxed and quiet, I Don't like the whine, which spoilt it for ME. I would have the supercharger TAKEN OFF.

[@edarcuri182]

I agree with your characterization. As for what happened to Studebaker, the simple answer is that the Board of Directors decided to invest their capital in businesses they owned which were producing profits.
The longer answer is that the Avanti was a single model, no four door or wagon nor a convertible, so they needed to sell many of them. Alas, the initial fiberglass parts proved problematic at first requiring Studebaker to re-format their production process. That done, many of those who had ordered Avantis had withdrawn and bought something else.
The rest of Studebaker's line was still being built on the basic sheet metal originally introduced in 1953 and their six was too underpowered for the time, their V-8 small even though a very reliable engine. Their production facility was old- really old - and their truck business had shrunk considerably offering only the Champ - clever, but not enough.
In any case, most apparent failures in the auto business are only tangentially related to product.
The good news? Studebaker (and the other independent of note, American Motors) did not go bankrupt. Studebaker concentrated on allied businesses and American Motors was acquired by Chrysler Corporation in 1987.
Avanti? It continued, with various owners, for many years. It was that significant.

[@JeffDeWitt]

@@nygelmiller5293 This is an R2 engine, you would want an R1, which would have more power than an R2 with a missing supercharger. Plus with an R1 you could get AC.

[@nygelmiller5293]

@@JeffDeWitt wow! You know your engines! Thanks for replying.

[@JeffDeWitt]

@@nygelmiller5293 I've been fooling with Studebakers for more years than I care to think about!

[@loopy7776]

Stunning.

[@bruceblackthorne]

Beautiful car.

[@johnfleming7879]

fiberglass body front disc brakes,supercharged,aerodynamic design

[@DschoermaenRetrodaddler]

... very innovative in '63 ...

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

A classical car that still looks modern today a d with the Paxton supercharger performance beyond belief

[@waynerogers6621]

Standard or as a option this car had a womans makeup table that folded out of the glovebox or dash. Had a mirror and.lights and drawers for makeup

[@johnfleming7879]

was it still the Borg-Warner automatic?No.

[@edarcuri182]

Yep.

[@AUmarcus]

3 speed to yes. Needs another gear or two.

[@CavemanCBB]

Super Cool !!! Thank you. You can heat the supercharger whistle. Tachometer is not working right . I wonder if they were mechanical driven in those days ?

[@JeffDeWitt]

No, it had a sending unit in the distributor.

[@sompenting2881]

Wo

[@michaelkennedy8135]

Thank god no music to drown that engine out. Be like putting red sauce on trout armendene

[@gmc.joesousa4360]

Looks like Oregon

[@carlmichael5592]

How come Avantis don't have front license plates?

[@JeffDeWitt]

They do if required.

[@sompenting2881]

Aise hi Pata Chalta Hai logon ka Achcha Bura ka pata nahin hai

[@vincezab1]

Why do the revs bounce around so much?

[@JeffDeWitt]

Likely the tachometer head needs to be serviced or the sending unit is going bad. Could also be a ground problem as the dash is fiberglass.

[@johncable9238]

Grants Pass?

[@Lajos279]

One of the most beautiful designs of one of the most iconic designers of all time: Raymond Loewe. Sadly enough the Avanti could not save the company from disaster. See also this video: th-cam.com/video/XIQbNZC4J4k/w-d-xo.html

[@sompenting2881]

Bhubaneswar Odisha Max show room entire Avantika

[@sompenting2881]

Itna Achcha kar Odisha Mein Kyon Nahin Hai

[@Lajos279]

Sorry, "Loewe" of course must be "Loewy".

[@doclees11]

Seems like no matter where you go you still see Trump signs. My favorite car as a kid. Still might try to find one. Is that an original supercharger?

[@JeffDeWitt]

Yes.

[@MrWolfSnack]

They are not much of a looker, but they go like stink. I think if they would have reworked the front end and went with more rectangular fitting headlights and maybe a grille than the giant seal eyes it would have done a lot for the appearance.

[@rogerdsmith]

The Avanti is in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It’s actually considered one of the most beautiful cars ever designed.

[@bobsherman3407]

The square round headlight came for the 1964 model year. They are my favorite. Only 809 were ever made before production ceased in Dec '63.

[@AUmarcus]

Needs overdrive.

[@sharha830]

I know a lot of these are replica´s so make sure you know what your buying !!!

[@JeffDeWitt]

There are no replicas. However, after Studebaker stopped making them they sold the leftover parts and rights to the new Avanti Motor Corporation, and that company, in one form another, made Avants into the 21st century.

[@boggy7665]

@@JeffDeWitt Those later ones must've had more-pedestrian GM (?) powertrains, right?

[@JeffDeWitt]

@@boggy7665 Yes, aside from a few at the very end Avanti II's had Chevy V8s. Right at the end Avanti's were being built on Mustang platforms, supposedly there was even one with a V6.

[@kashwilburn7813]

Well that was useless.