This existed.

"phenotyp" (phenotyp) 10/29/2014 at 15:34 • Filed to: avanti, studebaker, firebird

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15

1997 AVX. An Avanti revival based on the F-Body. Clearly evident here:

The original sketch:

All of three were built. They even made a convertible.

Shudder.

T5Killer > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 15:38

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I never understood the multiple reboots of Avantis the original was UGLY and not special IMHO. So why keep making random new ones?

Coty > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 15:39

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This one actually works unlike the blue/silver abomination below it.

RoadHead -- Armand > T5Killer 10/29/2014 at 15:45

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I was just thinking that. Out of all the American sports cars ever built, why the heck does the Avanti keep rising from the grave? I've never liked the look of it. Sure, it was futuristic when it came out.....but that was a generation ago.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 15:47

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Despite the issues forward of the B-pillar, I think this rear treatment actually looks pretty snazzy. Unfortunately, in order to work with the rest of the car, the belt line would have to continue its trajectory from the rear and the front hood would have to bisect the motor.

phenotyp > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 10/29/2014 at 15:48

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It's a super awkward proportion, I think, but that front view in the top picture sells me. Once you see the rest of it, it kinda falls apart.

But, then, I've never been a fan of the original, either.

phenotyp > T5Killer 10/29/2014 at 15:49

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I dunno. I never liked them, either. But I saw this today and somehow hadn't heard of it before.

Ducky > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 10/29/2014 at 15:50

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it doesn't look very different from a firebird there though. the ridiculous face is what separates this i guess

phenotyp > Coty 10/29/2014 at 15:50

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Panel gaps? What panel gaps?

Jedidiah > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 15:59

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I always liked the original. The story of the Avanti II is interesting because 2 guys saved a car they really liked from the demise of a company.

The other reboots were not quite as charming—just rehashes that spoil an odd car. There is a point when you just have to remember the Avanti for the quirky car it was and move on.

The original is graceful from some angles.

Jedidiah > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 16:07

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The original definitely got one thing right. Dat interior.

phenotyp > Jedidiah 10/29/2014 at 16:13

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I'll allow it.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 16:32

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Yup. I'll allow it. The black one actually looks pretty good. I've driven a O.G. Avanti a few times, like the one below. Very cool cars. They're actually pretty comfortable and much faster than I expected. Plus their weird looking... In a good way.

ranwhenparked > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 19:27

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The AVX eventually led to a "production" revival Avanti in 2001, that was basically a reskinned Mustang with new body panels inspired by the AVX. They built them in Georgia for several years, then moved production to Cancun, and everything fell apart in some sort of shady financial dealings.

phenotyp > ranwhenparked 10/29/2014 at 20:54

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Interesting. Never heard of that one, either. WTF is it with the Avanti, anyway? I never saw the draw.

ranwhenparked > phenotyp 10/29/2014 at 21:45

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I get it, but only when it comes to the Raymond Loewy-designed original. I lose interest in everything made after Avanti Motor Corp. ran out of NOS Studebaker Lark chassis and started re-bodying GM platforms, after that the car just sort of turned into a parody of itself.