1964 Studebaker Avanti R1

Description

“Introducing Studebaker’s most dynamic automobile.” The Avanti was Studebaker’s last roll of the dice, designed and created over just 40 days by Raymond Loewy and his design team in 1962. The striking, fiberglass-bodied coupe went on sale the following year and was marketed as “America’s only four-passenger high-performance personal car!”  With its optional Paxton supercharged V8 engine and four-speed transmission, front power-assisted disc brakes, and a luxuriously trimmed, aircraft-inspired interior, the Avanti was a true high-speed grand tourer. In fact, a modified Avanti equipped with the supercharged “R3” V8 gained legendary status by recording a two-way top-speed pass at 170.5 mph – one of 29 records set by the Avanti at the Bonneville Salt Flats.  

Studebaker’s failing finances resulted in only 4,647 Avantis being built before the South Bend, Indiana, plant closed its doors in 1964. This Avanti was built on 1 July 1963, and only four more ’63 models were manufactured before the changeover to ’64. Not an uncommon practice in the day, unsold ’63 models were sold by Studebaker dealers as 1964 cars, as it is believed was the case with this Avanti. It has all the features of a ’63 Avanti, especially the “round” headlight bezels, as the transition to the “square” bezels of the ’64 Avanti did not begin until August 1963.  

Highlights 

• Very late build 1963 Avanti, likely sold as a 1964 model 

• One of 3,807 built for the 1963 model year  

• Powered by a 289 cu-in solid lifter V8 rated at 240 horsepower  

• Three-speed automatic transmission   

• Optional Halibrand wheels (aluminum reproduction) 

• Factory air conditioning  

• Finished in Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat (a 2017 Corvette exterior color) with black vinyl upholstery 

• The chassis number (R4803) decodes as: 

  • R – Avanti 

  • 4803 – Built 1 July 1963 

Features 

• Carburetor upgraded with an Edelbrock unit  

• 12-volt electrical system (Optima battery located in the trunk) 

• Custom steering wheel 

• Large diameter and prominently placed exhaust tips (called "echo cans" back in the day) are the same as the units used in 1963–64  

• Chrome bumpers and trim  

• Turn signals  

• Dual exterior rearview mirrors  

• Vent windows  

• Back-up lights  

• Woodgrain instrument panel and center console trim  

• Front bucket seats  

• Arm rests, front and rear  

• Ash trays, front and rear  

• Cigarette lighter  

• Analog clock  

• Padded instrument panel  

• Push-button radio  

• Glovebox-mounted pull-out vanity mirror 

• Two-speed electric windshield wipers  

• Tachometer  

• Gauges for coolant temperature, amperage, fuel level, and oil pressure  

• 140-mph speedometer  

• Door-mounted armrests  

• Dual sun visors   

• Overhead padded safety steel arch (roll bar) 

• Interior access panel to luggage compartment  

• Aircraft-type overhead rocker switches control lights and ventilator fan  

• Automatic dome light switches  

• Full carpeting, front and rear  

• 21-gallon fuel tank  

• Dual horns  

• Front power-assisted disc brakes  

• Full flow oil filter  

• Positive crank case ventilation  

Known Imperfections 

• Right corner of the rear bumper has a three inch split in the metal 

• Carpet fitment is loose and wrinkled in two spots of the front floor area, otherwise the carpet is serviceable

• Tires show no weather checking and very deep tread but may be old 

• There may have been some frame repair in the past, a steel plate has been professionally welded into place

• The factory air conditioning is inoperable 

• Silver backing is starting to delaminate on pull-out vanity mirror 

Included 

• Documentation to show work done since ownership  

• Stock factory equipment steering wheel 

• Assorted interior and exterior trim pieces 

Ownership History 

The consignor has owned this 1964 Studebaker Avanti R1 since 2020. One note about the optional wheels on this Avanti: Studebaker sold full sets of these cast magnesium wheels manufactured by the famed the Halibrand Corporation for $297.50. Over the years the magnesium wheels became unstable and failed; these reproduction wheels are made of durable aluminum.