Automotive history is filled with stories of vehicles that were simply ahead of their time. These were cars that initially confused consumers, only for similar concepts to later become wildly successful. Consider the Audi A2, a high-end compact car with aluminum construction and upscale styling launched in 1999. Despite its innovation, it sold modestly. Then, the BMW Mini arrived two years later, embracing a similar idea and achieving phenomenal success over two decades. Or think of the AMC Eagle, a four-wheel-drive vehicle debuting in 1980, a full 20 years before the crossover craze truly took off, pioneered by cars like the Audi allroad quattro.
Similarly, there was an ambitious American coupe that might just be the very first Muscle Car ever equipped with a supercharger. Some argue this unique automobile predates even the Pontiac GTO as the original American muscle car. It was certainly on the scene before the Shelby GT350 Paxton. This rare vehicle, while not a commercial hit in its time, has remarkably outlived many of its contemporaries, even if it remains largely unknown to many.
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The 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2: A Supercharged Muscle Car Pioneer
The name Studebaker itself evokes a sense of history. The company’s roots stretch back to the mid-1800s, initially crafting wagons and carts. Studebaker cars were once known for their grandeur, but by the 1950s, the company aimed for ultra-modern designs, resulting in models like the Champion, intended to resemble an airplane but arguably looking like a quirky mix of cartoon animals.
The Studebaker Avanti’s Mission: Revitalizing the Brand
In 1961, Studebaker’s new president, Sherwood Egbert, recognized the need for a sports car to attract a more contemporary audience. The result was the Avanti, an aesthetically pleasing and unconventional coupe that was remarkably forward-thinking. Built upon the Lark Convertible chassis, the Avanti featured a European-inspired, sweeping coupe body, complete with rounded headlights, four seats, and a 289-cubic-inch Studebaker V8 engine. According to Hagerty.com, this base model Avanti carried a price tag of $4,445 when new, comparable to a four-speed Corvette coupe. However, instead of simply increasing engine size for more power like other manufacturers, Studebaker chose a different path.
Supercharging the 1963 Avanti R2: A Power Boost
The standard V8 Avanti, designated the R1, produced 240 horsepower. But in 1963, Studebaker introduced a supercharged version, the Avanti R2. By adding a Paxton supercharger, they boosted the power output to an impressive 280 horsepower. Hemmings reports that only 1,552 Avanti R2 models were produced in 1963, with an even smaller number, 281, rolling off the factory line in 1964. This limited production run further solidifies the Avanti R2’s status as a rare and unique muscle car.
Beyond the R2, there was also the even more potent R3 variant, based on the supercharged R2. The Studebaker 289 V8 was bored out to 304.5 cubic inches, reportedly pushing power to 400 horsepower, although Hagerty suggests a more realistic 335 horsepower. The R3 also featured an 8,000 rpm rev counter, replacing the 6,000 rpm unit in standard models. An early R3 prototype achieved a top speed exceeding 170 mph in the Nevada desert, and Egbert himself reportedly reached 168 mph in testing. RM Sotheby’s indicates that a mere nine R3 Avantis were ever built. An even more extreme R4, equipped with fuel injection and high-performance camshafts aiming for over 560 horsepower, was developed but never reached production.
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The Avanti’s Groundbreaking Features
Studebaker Avanti R2 Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | Supercharged 289ci V8 |
| Power | 280 hp |
| Torque | 390 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 7.5 seconds |
| Units Produced | 1,833 (total R2) |
Studebaker
In many respects, the Avanti was simply too advanced for its time. Its styling was futuristic, contrasting with other early muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO, which were essentially more aggressive versions of familiar family cars. The GTO and similar vehicles offered excitement without straying too far from established norms.
The Avanti, on the other hand, boasted cutting-edge features like a fiberglass body, predating its wider use in sports cars like those from TVR. It also incorporated 11.5-inch Dunlop disc brakes at the front and offered modern options such as an AM/FM radio. These features were remarkable for a muscle car of the early 1960s, highlighting Studebaker’s commitment to innovation.
Ahead-of-its-Time Customization
Furthermore, the Avanti offered an unprecedented level of customization. Today, personalization is commonplace, from Minis to Smarts and even EVs like the Callum Skye. But in the early 1960s, Studebaker was already offering extensive options.
The R2 supercharger was a relatively affordable upgrade at just $210. For this modest sum, buyers gained a sporty, supercharged V8 coupe capable of reaching 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and achieving a top speed of 120 mph, with some reports suggesting a near-stock R2 hit 158 mph. One automotive magazine even dubbed the Avanti “America’s Ferrari,” recognizing its performance and advanced engineering.
Despite its innovations, the Avanti’s production run was short-lived. After being produced in 1963 and 1964, Studebaker discontinued the model, just as the Pontiac GTO, often credited as the first true muscle car, was gaining momentum.
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The Studebaker Avanti: A Classic Muscle Car Bargain Today
Studebaker Avanti Pricing (Good Condition)
- 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1: $23,700
- 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2: $36,500
- 1964 Studebaker Avanti R1: $23,700
- 1964 Studebaker Avanti R2: $36,500
- 1964 Studebaker Avanti R3: $78,500
Source: Hagerty Valuation Tools
The Studebaker Avanti was a genuinely futuristic car that employed an innovative approach to achieve high performance for its era. Despite its groundbreaking features and relative rarity compared to other muscle cars of the time, early Avanti models remain surprisingly affordable. A non-supercharged R1 Avanti can be found for around $23,700 in 2025. Even the supercharged R2 models are reasonably priced at approximately $36,500.
The ultra-rare R3, with fewer than ten examples in existence, commands a higher price, but even $78,500 is considered reasonable for such a unique and historically significant vehicle. For those seeking an even more budget-friendly Avanti, the V8 four-door models from the 1990s are worth considering, with examples like this one selling for just $7,400.
The Enduring Legacy of the Avanti
While the Avanti couldn’t save Studebaker, which ceased car production in 1966, its story didn’t end there. Two Studebaker-Packard dealers, Nate Altman and Leo Newman, recognized the Avanti’s potential and acquired the rights to continue its production. However, the supercharged engine was unfortunately dropped in this new chapter.
When Avantis resumed production in 1965, they were equipped with 350 horsepower Chevrolet 327 V8 engines. Interestingly, this coincided with Chevrolet’s own struggles to sell Chevelles equipped with the same 327 engine, despite selling a substantial 378,618 Chevelles in 1965.
The Avanti II and Beyond
The Avanti II continued the tradition of customization and remained in production through the 1970s, still using a 350-cubic-inch GM engine, with a 400 cubic inch option later available. Real estate developer Steve Blake acquired the company in the early 1980s, maintaining Avanti production until 1985. Some argue that while other manufacturers were producing what some consider their “worst muscle cars” during this era, the Avanti had arguably reached its peak. The Avanti was briefly revived in the late 1980s and 1990s, even with a four-door model offered.
The Studebaker Avanti R2 holds a unique place in automotive history. Its supercharged engine, advanced features, and striking design make a compelling case for it being considered the first supercharged muscle car, and a true pioneer in automotive innovation.
Sources: Hagerty.com; Rmsothebys.com
