Studebaker Avanti 4 door prototype body at auction

[Foscop]

VanDerBrink Autions shows a number of Avanti engineering bodies being auctioned off including this Studebaker 4 door, quad headlight Avanti. I recognized that face from some old magazine articles but could find little about it. It appears that this was mentioned in a forum discussion 10 years ago. There are other newer Avanti engineering bodies in the auction too. But this one appears to be from shortly after the Studebaker Avanti was introduced. There are a whole lot of other interesting Studebakers...and parts in this auction which ends May 30th. On-line bids are now being taken. I would love to bid on this body and trailer it around to SDC events...but I have no room. Someone needs to rescue this piece of our history. I'll try to post a link to this lot.

https://vanderbrinkauction.proxibid.com/Collector-Cars/Classic-Vintage-Cars/Rare-Studebaker-Avanti-Prototype-4dr-Engineering-Body/lotInformation/53310628

[candbstudebakers]

This body is a 4 door but sure looks different than the one I own, and so if this really was something that Studebaker was planning and was put together in the 63-64 years that Studebaker built the Avanti's then it should be in the Studebaker museum. I really don't think it will sell here and if it does the price will be low. what say you members?

[6hk71400]

Bob,

Are you suggesting we make a pledge to purchase this and donate it to the museum? Is this the car in the Marple auction lot? I scrolled up to the first post and see it is part of the Marple collection.

Bob Miles

[Foscop]

Yes. Thus is from the Marple collection. I believe it is the body in the middle picture from this Sept-Oct 1971 issue of Special Interest Autos.

[Foscop]

Notice that in that image I just posted...it was planned to have "swing axle" rear suspension.

[Andy R.]

I'm guessing by the market niche, it was designed to fit the Cruiser chassis?

[8E45E]

I'm guessing by the market niche, it was designed to fit the Cruiser chassis?

It would have had an all-new chassis with a 340 cubic inch engine. https://forum.studebakerdriversclub....the-new-avanti

It was to be the start of a new line of intermediate-sized cars available in all body styles with a steel body. It would be interesting to know where the chassis went after the factory closed in December, 1963.

Craig

[candbstudebakers]

Bob,

Are you suggesting we make a pledge to purchase this and donate it to the museum? Is this the car in the Marple auction lot? I scrolled up to the first post and see it is part of the Marple collection.

Bob Miles

Bob, might be a good idea if it really is something that was built by Studebaker then it should be in the museum one way or another. count me in.

[t walgamuth]

i'll kick in too.

[StudeRich]

First, someone needs to get the Museum to commit to TAKE IT !

[8E45E]

First, someone needs to get the Museum to commit to TAKE IT !

It has been 'on loan' to the SNM in the past: https://forum.studebakerdriversclub....e-cars-survive

If the SNM has had inquires about it since it was returned to the Marple collection, now is their chance to acquire it as part of their permanent collection.

Craig

[6hk71400]

Give me a day or two and I will contact the museum to see if there is and interest and if the museum would handle the pledge like they did with the Indy Car. That would be better than someone of having the burden of dealing with funds and refunds if the group that pledged/donate was not the eventual bidder. I will find out and reply. Got to do something constructive besides looking for a job/selling my home/try to re certify as a Respiratory Therapist.

Bob Miles

[bob40]

Virgil told me that several representatives from the museum visited him to look at the collection. They know what's there.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Better yet, why don't we (yet to be defined) take on finishing the 4-dr prototype as perhaps Studebaker would have done it? This prototype 4-dr is so much better looking (& proportioned) than the Avanti Motors 4-dr sedan.
-Dwight

[sals54]

The 4 door Avantis suffer from the same illness as the 54 Sedans. Trying too hard to fit sleek sporty styling into a frumpy, too tall, too many doors, configuration. Sorry, but it really detracts from the beauty of the real Avanti styling.