by Mike –
These three classic American cars are unique for different reasons.
Studebaker Avanti
1963 Studebaker Avanti – some people love this style and some may not love it. But it is uniquely an American design.
Studebaker Avanti
The body is fiberglass which caused production problems for Studebaker. It is powered by a 289 cid V8 producing 240 hp and was styled by Raymond Loewy, Tom Kellogg, Bob Andrews and John Ebstein.
There were approximately 6,000 Studebaker Avantis produced in 1962 and 1963.
This elegant Avanti was photographed at the Sonoma Marin Concours d’Elegance on May 15, 2011.
American Motors AMX
1969 American Motors AMX with a 390 cid V8 – this is a special model because it was a two seater sports car with a short wheel base and a powerful engine. It competed with the Corvette Sting Ray at a much lower price.
American Motors AMX
It was styled by Richard Teague and there were approximately 20,187 made from 1968 to 1970.
This AMC AMX was photographed at the Marin Yacht Club car show on July 7, 2011.
Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
When the Corvette Sting Ray was introduced by Chevrolet in 1963 it created a sensation. It was sleek and stylish like no other car and it was fast with a 327 cid or a 427 cid V8 engine.
Corvette Sting Ray
The body is fiberglass and was styled by Ed Cole, Zora Arkus-Duntov and Bill Mitchell. There were approximately 118,000 of this C2 style produced between 1963 and 1967.
This Corvette was photographed at the Fun In The Sun event on July 17, 2011.
The Corvette Sting Ray is still the top American made sports car.
Michael Menetto is responsible for some of these photographs.
Let us know in the comments which one of these classics is your favorite.
In our humble opinion, the 1965-72 Corvette stands head and shoulders above all other vintage American sports cars…with looks, power and handling galore. We must admit that we had a long torrid love affair with this car and owned at least 16 fine examples over a 22 year period from 1980 through 2002. Our favorite was the ’67 coupe and the ’72 roadster, both with all wheel disc-brakes, a fully independent suspension, and a choice of several big or small block Chevrolet power plants. To us, these cars transcended the common ‘muscle car’ definition…mostly because of their elegant styling…the only production design we felt could compete with European standards.
I think a lot of people agree with you about the Corvette that is why it is still around and is such an important American car.
Sadly, it was just announced that Corvette is actually looking to put a “temporary” Ja…..Ja….JAPANESE motor in the new model. This is horrible! I hope they reconsider. I think America…and ESPECIALLY Corvette fans…would rather wait years for a new model than buy one with a foreign magazine just to have a new car.
I can’t stand AMX cars. However, the metal bodies are seemingly becoming more and more attractive to me. NOT the look of the car, just the fact that they are vintage metal…not plastic…and it screams through any paint job. They just don’t make cars like they use to, do they?!
I like the AMX but I agree with you about metal. I think cars should be made of metal, preferably aluminum but steel is OK too.
Recently, I parted with a ’68 Pontiac Firebird Convertible that I owned for about 20 years, but due to my travels abroad let the car sit in the garage for past 10 years. After selling the car, I wanted something neat and Avanti was one of my top choices. Its an unusual design that is well proportioned, interior layout is clean and logical. I found one on Ebay that was very close to where I live. After several attempts to get the seller to show me the car, I gave up. Instead bought a 2001 Jaguar XJR, another beatiful car.
Too bad about the Avanti. They need owners who will take care of them.
I’m really ambivalent about the Avanti… I never know whether it’s coming or going. That being said, I saw one at the Granby International this summer (it was an Avanti II) and it looked a lot better in person than in pictures.
Alex – as I said “some people love this style and some may not love it.” I think it is an acquired taste and they look much better in person.
I think the Studebaker version looks a little better than the Avanti II. The later versions of the Avanti II had bumpers that are unattractive to me.