1967 Avanti "prototype"???

[Gunslinger]

About ten years ago the car was for sale...I thought about buying it but decided against it. Avantis can be tough enough to own and maintain...an outlier like that one would add special types of misery in maintenance and repairs...much less a restoration should it have been required. I just couldn't see it just for the "cool" factor.

[DougHolverson]

That's one nasty hood bulge! Like some low-poly '80s hi-tech CGI.

[8E45E]

I think this car has been discussed on this forum before...just can't remember what was said about it. Like the BGT in the background, and the wires on the Avanti. cheers, junior

Yes it was; at least twice:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...Rare-Avanti-II

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...h-supercharger

Craig

[DougHolverson]

I was thinking how it's odd that the supercharger fit nicely under the hood for the Stude powered version but not the SBC version. I was also wondering if this was just a proof of concept, and the clunky hood bulge would have seen a sleeker restyling if this thing had made production?

[Gunslinger]

I think it was likely the easiest way to install the blower without a redesign of the entire belt and accessory package. You're probably correct that if it would have been a regular production item a better way would have been designed to retain the stock hood line. The way it's set up a dual master cylinder could not have been fitted and 1967 was the year duel master cylinders were mandated by the feds. Avanti Motors, being a small volume manufacturer did receive temporary exemptions for many safety mandates.