AUTOS: Unique Classics At Barrett-Jackson

Automotive Lifestyle

AUTOS: Unique Classics At Barrett-Jackson

The 1963 Studebaker Avanti certainly fits the bill as unique, with a pretty red one fitted with wire wheels making its appearance at the Palm Beach auction.

David Harris | Posted April 06, 2012 West Palm Beach, FLA

The 1963 Studebaker Avanti has an expressive body style designed by the famed Raymond Loewy. The hood is unlatched for inspection. (Photo: David Harris)

One of the fun things you see at every Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, and the annual Palm Beach fete is no different, are those hard-to-find collectors you might only run across once a year – if that.

There aren’t many pieces of American automotive history that fits the definition of a unique classic better than Studebaker’s Avanti Coupe. Lot 43.2, was a nice example of a 1963. Not perfect, as some parts were swapped out, but it carried the banner well with its 289-cubic-inch V8 and four-speed transmission.

Those in the know faulted the '63 Avanti for having square bezels around its headlights, which were a later-year addition. (Photo: David Harris)

It also had comfort goodies like air conditioning, power windows, power steering and power brakes. The knock-off wire wheels finished the presentation off nicely, even though they aren’t proper for the era. It garnered plenty of attention in the auction tent area, and eventually gaveling sold before buyer’s premium at $21,500.

“The front was from a ’64,” said David Kinney, founder of USAppraisal, who is also a Studebaker expert, writer and avid car collector. “It had frenched-in turn signal lenses. They all came with what was called elk interior bits to it, and those were painted flat black. The seat material was pretty correct, but it wasn’t a bad car.

“The ‘63s were supposed to have the round headlights, but this had the square,” Kinney continued. “What they would do years ago, and people would say they updated them, but they were covering for a front-end crash. By serial number, it should say if it had round headlights on it.”

Its angular shape, use of a molded fiberglass body and off-balanced hood made it stand out in the marketplace in 1963.

“In the era, it was almost like a spaceship had arrived,” Kinney said. “One of the other contemporaries I can think about when it came out – and I’m not trying to compare the two cars – was the DeLorean.

“It was holy smokes type of styling,” Kinney added. “It was very controversial and there are very few people who are neutral on them. The cars had to be fiberglass because of all the different angles and shapes on it. A lot of us, myself included, think the body style totally works and that they got it right.”

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