1963 Studebaker Avanti R1: California car with no visible rust, priced like a project
Cheap entry into a first-year Avanti R1; worth a close inspection given how long it has been listed.
Why we picked it
Trophy Motors has this gold-over-tan 1963 Avanti R1 (VIN 63RQ878) with the 289 V8, automatic, power steering, power brakes and power windows. The dealer says it came from California and shows no visible rust, but notes the dash has cracks and waviness. The 14,647 miles shown is very likely not total mileage on a 63-year-old car.
The listing is thin on details and has been up since May 2026, so treat it as a driver that needs sorting rather than a finished car. Even so, the Avanti's fiberglass body and Bendix front disc brakes make it a strong base for a mild modernization, and comparable R1 cars have been selling well above this price.
The value check
The seller is asking $19,950. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $27,500–$41,800, so the middle of the market is about $34,650. That put this car 42% under.
Original-condition 1963 Avantis sold from $27,500 (R1, Mecum Aug 2026) to $41,800 (R2, Barrett-Jackson Sep 2026), with nicer R1/R2 cars at $51,000-$58,000 on BaT; $19,950 is about 42% under the driver-level midpoint.
- 1963 Avanti R1, Mecum Monterey Aug 2026, $27,500
- 1963 Avanti R2, Barrett-Jackson Sep 2026, $41,800
- 1963 Avanti R1, BaT Aug 2026, $56,500
What to check
- Fiberglass body hides rust in the steel cage (the 'birdcage') around the windshield, door posts and rocker areas; inspect it closely
- Check the frame rails near the rear axle and the body mounts
- Dash pad is cracked and wavy; reproduction pads and correct fiberglass dash repairs add cost
- Confirm the R1 engine is original (check the VIN's R prefix and engine number) and ask for running/driving proof
- Mileage is likely rolled over; long dealer listing time suggests negotiating room or hidden issues
Making it drive like new
Keep the stock look and add a supercharger-style R2 upgrade or a mild 289 rebuild with EFI, an overdrive automatic, front sway bar and modern radial tires. Upgraded Bendix caliper rebuilds, an electronic ignition and A/C improvements make it a comfortable GT.
What Studebaker Avanti cars sell for
| Condition | Sales | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | 1 | $15,500 | $15,500 | $15,500 |
| Driver | 15 | $13,250 | $29,120 | $58,000 |
| Collector | 4 | $51,000 | $56,500 | $58,000 |
Recent sales
| Car | Condition | Result | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2 4-Speed, supercharged and largely original | Driver | $25,000 | Oct 7, 2026 | Hagerty Marketplace |
| 1963 Avanti R2 | Driver | $41,800 | Sep 12, 2026 | Barrett-Jackson |
| 1963 Avanti R1 | Collector | $56,500 | Aug 31, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1963 Avanti R1 | Collector | $56,500 | Aug 31, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1964 Avanti R2 | Driver | $13,250 | Aug 29, 2026 | Hemmings |
| 1963 Avanti R2 | Collector | $58,000 | Aug 22, 2026 | Bring a Trailer |
| 1963 Avanti R1, 289/manual | Driver | $27,500 | Aug 13, 2026 | Mecum |
| 1963 Avanti R2, Trebbi Collection | Project | $15,500 | Aug 10, 2026 | Hagerty Marketplace |
