8E45E

There were close to 4500 Avantis manufactured, and roughly 2200 Studebaker dealers at the time, which would average two Avanti's per dealer. Of course it never worked that way, a dealer maybe selling ten, and several selling none. Even a dealer that sold ten would never inventory a stock of 'Avanti only' parts, and would have ordered them from a Parts Depot. I would not be surprised one of the many reasons R-series engines were offered across the board for the 1963 model year was to get more of them out in the field where dealers would stock tune-up parts for them. Craig

I know Brooks Stevens made an Ambassador-size concept/proposal around 1969 for AMC. It was on display in front of his museum in Mequon for many years outside under a canopy. Remember, Richard Teague had a preference for tunneled headlight design, as seen on the 1964 American, Javelin, 1974-'78 Matador 2 doors, and it is a dead giveaway on the Pacer. Craig

The Pacer was designed by Dick Teague, who also designed the 1955 Packards based on the 1951 body. The Pacer was his final design for AMC before he retired. Yes, it was supposed to have a Wankel engine, but in fairness, the first energy crises killed the Wankel as it had a reputation for poor fuel mileage. Not only GM pulled the plug, but so did European manufacturers who were also going to use it. The Triumph TR-7 was supposed to offer a Wankel option, but it also got killed along with the Pacer. Craig

Another good comparison; this time from the 1980's. As Andy Beckman stated with the Pacer. "Everyone who wanted one got one in the first year, and then they ran out of buyers". The same was true with the Fiero, despite adding a V6, and a GT model. Craig

It would have had a sales-curve similar to the AMC Pacer 13 years later, had they been in stock and ready for purchase at the dealers like the Pacer was. In the first year-and-a-half, Pacer sales enjoyed over 100K units; a dream for any independent to achieve. But sales dropped off sharply after that, despite a new station wagon for 1977 and a V8 engine in 1978. I suspect the Avanti would have had phenomenal first model year sales (for an independent), but once their faults became known and made to the press reviews, sales would have tanked right after. Craig

I never got to see one 'for real' until several months after they were introduced. Because of the inability to supply dealers with sufficient stock on introduction day, our local dealer did not receive an Avanti until early 1963 in Canada. Craig

That was recounted in his & George Krem's "Summer Sleuthing In South Bend" article in the September, 1980 Turning Wheels. I believe it was also mentioned again in a repeat article in TW earlier this year.

The Avanti design was radical enough that no one would have guessed that it was a Studebaker, or possibly any other car manufacturer at the time; especially if there was no identification on it. And if it did get laid up in a farmer's field, passers-by may have concluded it was a 'home-grown' creation, and kept on driving. Craig

That may have been the case for a few Avanti owners, but not all. There was an SDC member here years ago who purchased a 1964 Avanti when it was only two or three years old at the time. All the 'Studebaker' emblems and nameplates had been removed from the car, which he subsequently replaced. It is a well-equipped Avanti. Craig

It appears there never was a nut tack welded to the spare tire hold-down in the trunk as the vent line would have interfered with the installation.

As per George Krem: The PO of Avanti 4765 said "Tag experimental trim....attn J. Husvar. No interior code or interior color was listed, so only J. Husvar knows for sure. That car was one of two "Special" interior '63s. J. Husvar was the Trim Engineer for Studebaker who would have worked on interior upgrades. I suspect it may have also been fitted with an experimental interior. Craig

The tables turned a year later when Studebaker started using GM engines starting in the 1965 model year. Newman & Altman used GM engine their Avanti II's. Craig