44-Years-Owned 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Avanti was Studebaker’s last roll of the dice, designed and created in just 40 days by Raymond Loewy and his design team. The striking, fiberglass-bodied coupe went on sale in 1963 and was marketed as “America’s only four-passenger high-performance personal car!” With its front power-assisted disc brakes, luxuriously trimmed, aircraft-inspired interior, and V8 engines, the Avanti was a true high-speed grand tourer. To prove it, 29 records were set by an Avanti at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Despite critical praise, total Avanti output was fewer than 4,600 units in 1963.

This 1963 Avanti R1 has been in the care of Chuck and Chris Collins since 1982, both well‑known figures in the Studebaker community. Chuck founded studebakerparts.com and operated it for many years before selling the business. His wife Chris currently serves as President of the Studebaker National Foundation, and together they have been deeply involved with the Studebaker Drivers Club and the Avanti Owners Association since the 1970s.

This 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1 is now represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with an Original Accessories Catalog, Owner’s Guide, Sales Brochure, an automotive book in which this car is pictured, and a clean Arizona title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Offered by prominent members of the Studebaker community

• Avanti White (P‑6331) paint over Black (813) vinyl and cloth interior

• 289ci V8 solid lifter V8 rated at 240 hp

• Powershift three-speed automatic transmission

• Factory air conditioning (functioning)

• Twin-Traction differential

• Body number 63-RQ-2264; Engine number R2234

Factory Equipment

• Power steering

• Power brakes, front disc

• Highway Fidelity push-button radio (rebuilt, AM/FM conversion)

• Optional front and rear speakers

• Strato-Vue exterior mirror

• Glovebox-mounted pull-out vanity mirror

• Front seat belts

• Overhead padded safety steel arch

• Woodgrain instrument panel

• Arm rests, front and rear

• Padded instrument panel

• Interior access panel to luggage compartment

• Aircraft-inspired overhead rocker switches to control lights and ventilator fan

• The chassis number (63R3168) decodes as:

  • 63 – 1963 model year

  • R – Avanti

  • 3168 – Sequential production number starting at 1001

Modifications

• Radio rebuilt with AM/FM conversion by Gary Tayman

• Dual master cylinder conversion

• Solenoid-release power trunk added (switch is located under the dash)

• Stuart Warner gauges added (temperature, amp, fuel, oil pressure, and vacuum)

• New Sanden polished A/C compressor with R-134a refrigerant

• High-back front seats added (original low-back seats included)

• LED taillights

• Blue instrument and shifter lights

• Fan shroud modified to accommodate a larger cooling fan

Servicing & Documentation

• Older restoration by previous owner, which reportedly included new paint, new interior, new emblems, new chrome, and more

• Service under current ownership:

  • Rebuilt transmission with shift kit

  • Rebuilt clock (quartz)

  • Speedometer and Tachometer rebuilt

  • Rebuilt front suspension with upgraded Delrin bushings

  • Rebuilt wiper motor

  • New sill plates

  • New turn signal switch

• Service performed during the last 500 miles:

  • Rear differential serviced, including replacing both axle seals, replacing pinion seal, resealed differential cover and new fluid

  • Replaced front and rear brake hoses, flushed and bled brake system

  • Replaced exhaust gaskets

  • New power steering pump

  • Boiled out and repaired radiator

  • Resealed front timing cover

  • Replaced rear main seal and oil pan gasket

  • Replaced oil cooler lines and repaired fittings

  • Adjusted valves and replaced valve cover gaskets

  • Rebuilt carburetor, including new throttle shaft bushings

  • Replaced intake manifold gaskets and distributor seal

  • Replaced block cooling plug

  • Replaced filter housing gasket

  • Transmission serviced, including replaced shift shaft seal, reassembled valve body, new pan gasket, and fluid

  • Replaced neutral safety switch and reverse light switch

  • New heater core installed

Known Imperfections

• Paint chips, cracks, and other imperfections throughout (see photo gallery)

• Weatherstripping around quarter windows is dry with some cracking

• Sealant around front windshield trim

• Some missing and chipped paint on the rims

• Scuffs on front seat plastic trim

• The tires have few miles but were manufactured in 2009)

Ownership History

The current owner purchased this car in Phoenix, Arizona in 1982 and has owned it for the past 44 years. It is reported to have been kept in Arizona from new.

Included Items

• Two sets of keys

• Original low-back front seats

• Workshop manual (new)

• Original Accessories Catalog, Owner’s Guide, and Sales Brochure

• Studebaker rubber floor mats

• The book, “The American Automobile: A Centenary, 1893-1993”, featuring a photo of this Avanti

• Spare tire and jack

Additional Information

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Frank Malefors Phone: 602-488-7888 Email: fmalefors@hagerty.com