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STUDEBAKER AVANTI
Hope I can get a lot of info on this once-great
name.I understand that AVANTI has had two
rebirts-once after the Studebaker operation shut
down (the car was made by Nathan Altman?)till the
late 70's.
Afetr his death, the plant was sold to another
entrepreneur, who ran it into the ground.
My question: who owns the righs to the name, and
any interest in revival of the marque?
name.I understand that AVANTI has had two
rebirts-once after the Studebaker operation shut
down (the car was made by Nathan Altman?)till the
late 70's.
Afetr his death, the plant was sold to another
entrepreneur, who ran it into the ground.
My question: who owns the righs to the name, and
any interest in revival of the marque?
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Comments
I don't see any future for a car like this. It's really of another era, and given the tremendous challenge of meeting current emissions, safety and
fuel consumption requirements, and the need for more modern styling, I feel it would be a hopeless venture. Even the collectible car market is quite lukewarm to the Avanti, and it just hangs around the $12-15K mark year after year for restored cars--less than many far more common American cars of the era.The Avanti seems destined to a back shelf in automotive history as an interesting curiosity, like Delorean, etc...again a case of "what could have been" (another Corvette? an American BMW?), but seriously neglected in terms of technology and marketing by undercapitalized companies trying to survive.
I think Avanti had its big chance in 1963 and blew it.
a few years ago I was driving up Rt. 281 in western NJ, and spotted a Packard sign on an old factory building. I pulled off at the next exit, and found the place. Turns out it was owned by a nice old guy, who restores and supplies STUDEBAKER and PACKARD OEM parts. I forget his name, but believe the location is in BOONTON, NJ. He also had a number of FACEL-VEGAS as well. Is the PACKARD name owned by anyone at this point?
I do know, for instance, if you hang a Porsche logo on your building, they'll be all over you like a cheap suit. And they won't be nice about it, either.
I wonder if the place is still there?
In the 80's there was a Studebaker parts place in Long Beach near the port area and across from a popular Italian deli. I've forgotten the name and the street but anyone seriously interested can email me and I will find out if it is still in business
Who would ever buy one?
Speaking of Stude automatics, I also had a '56 Power Hawk, with the 259 Stude V8 and Borg Warner automatic. I thought it was just a two-speed, and then one day I discovered that by putting it in low I had a real first gear. Shortly after that the tranny went south on me, but I think that's just coincidence. I had every intention of putting a Cadillac 331 and Hydro in it--in those days, you could buy a remanufactured early Cad from JC Whitney for next to nothing (and that's probably what you got). As usual, lack of funds got in the way.
Just off the top of my head, I can't think of a prettier American sedan than the '53-54 coupe. Having a real drivetrain in one of those would be icing on the cake.
No, I don't think it's a scam really, just a misguided car lover probably. There are far worse crimes in the world than pursuing a flawed dream, that's for sure. What the hell, build it if you want to!
Thanks.
Also the rear tires are to close to the fenders.
The big tires in the rearneed to be a size or two narrower.
Some bbs wheels would do wonders for the car.
1965: 45 Made
1966: 59 Made
1967: 66 Made
1968:100 Made
1969: 92 Made
1970:117 Made
1971:107 Made
1972:127 Made
1973:106 Made
1974:123 Made
1975:125 Made
1976:156 Made
1977:146 Made
1978:142 Made
1979:175 Made
1980:168 Made
1981:195 Made
1982:188 Made
Altman Dies, Newman retires & sells to Steve Blake:
Under Steve Blake....
1983:289 (including 26 20Th Anniversary Models)
1984:200 (including 50 "Touring Coupe" models & 44 Convertibles)
1985:100 (including 22 Convertibles)
1986: Company Goes Bankrupt > No vehicles made!!
1986: Steve Blake Dies of massive cancer
New Owner:- Mike Kelly
Under Mike Kelly...
1987:200 Made (Including 40 Limousines & 44 Convertibles)
1988:150 (Including 50 Convertibles)
Kelly sells to J.J. Cafaro, Land Developer
Under Cafaro, the company went to H in a picnic basket!!!
1989:150 (Including 100 Convertibles)
1990: 90 4-Door Sedans
1991: 15 Convetibles
Company Dies in April of 1991.
2001 Company Re-Born in Georgia, Headed once again by Mike Kelly
2001: (?) I heard that so far the number is under 20. BUT the price is
$70,000 for the Coupe & $89,000 for the Convertible