The Avanti is back, sleek and original as ever. Tamer and costlier, it still struts like the thoroughbred it was born to be. It returns as the Avanti II with a facelift and a Chevrolet engine.
Nate Altman bought tooling and some of the
Studebaker buildings. The company has announced production plans and details of the new version of the car. Altman, a long-time Studebaker dealer, will be remembered by some as running a mail-order outlet for Studebaker parts and accessories. About 1000 cars per year will be produced. The pronounced rake of the original is eliminated so that the rocker panel is parallel to the ground, and wheel openings are tightened around the wheels. Interior fabrics will be made to customers' specifications, a touch possible because the Avanti II will be hand-built. The most important mechanical change is the Chevrolet engine, a 327-cu-in./300-bhp version.
