Cruisin’: Still, Avanti lives

Q: Greg, when did the Avanti produce its last car? I know it was built in Canada after Studebaker stopped making cars in America. — Tillie H., Florida

A: Tillie, Studebaker moved to Canada in 1963 and built cars until 1966. Contrary to popular belief, Avanti was never built in Canada. Even more surprising, Avanti Motor Corp. still exists today.

When Studebaker moved to Canada, Leo Newman and Nathan Altman, former Studebaker dealers, bought the Avanti tooling and continued to build the Avanti II in the original South Bend, Ind., plant from 1965 to ‘82 in low production numbers.

Low production, however, didn’t mean low quality. All Avanti models were pretty much handmade and featured a fiberglass body.

In 1986, Michael Kelly became the new owner, and in 1987, Avanti started using technology from General Motors platforms. Thus, the new Avanti could have its drivetrain serviced by any GM dealer in America.

Kelly moved the assembly plant to Youngstown, Ohio. Then in 1988, he sold his interests (but not his love of Avanti). Production ceased in 1991 after a few of the new convertibles were built.

After seven years in hibernation, Avanti enthusiast Jim Bunting bought the rights and built Avantis in 1998 and 1999. Next, Kelly resurfaced, formed a partnership and moved the company to Villa Rica, Ga. A new Avanti debuted in October 2000.

Kelly became the sole owner in 2001, but currently has legal problems after his arrest in December for an alleged time-share Ponzi scheme.

However, 2006 Avanti coupes and convertibles are still available, and now utilize modern Ford platform technology. I spoke with David Sharples at Avanti headquarters, and he said he would be happy to assist interested consumers with purchasing an Avanti.