Gunslinger,

What is that car in your signature?  It looks like a late model Camaro with a front-end off of something else that I have seen before... is that an old Avante front-end?

Please share how that car came to be.  It has to be an interesting story!

The red studebaker??

Not sure how to spell it, but i think it's Avanti

It's an Avanti. I used to own an original Studebaker model, but sold it some years ago and always wanted another. I bought this one last year. It's built on the Pontiac Trans-Am version of the GM F-body platform, so it does use the same windshield and convertible top, plus the Vette LS1 engine is installed. The body is custom fiberglass, and the interior is more or less custom as well. Mine was used in a number of car shows and print ads for the company before the factory released it for sale.

I've tweaked the LS1 a bit by installing a Granatelli Motorsports mass airflow sensor and low restriction airbox and filter, plus I reprogrammed the on-board computer with a Diablo Sports Predator and the car is a real screamer, plus gets over 25 mpg. It's putting out upwards of 400 horsepower.

About the only factory option for the Avanti is a Vortech supercharger. I passed a supercharged one up because I didn't like the color of the car...millenium yellow. It just didn't look good on the car. Also, it was a good bit more expensive...roughly 10K more expensive. It's rated at over 500 horsepower, but a lot of extra dollars for it. I'm quite happy with the way mine runs. The blower isn't necessary except for bragging rights.

Avanti Motor Corporation is located in Villa Rica, Ga, outside of Atlanta. They build roughly 150 Avanti's annually, plus they build a strictly race car called a Lister.    The F-body is no longer made, so now they've changed to the new Ford Mustang platform, which has caused some styling changes I don't like.

Since mine has the LS1 engine...it's got the heart of a Vette!

I knew they starting making them again, but I didn't know they had the LS-1 motor....very cool car!!
Back in the 60's my brother used to sell Studebaker's when the Avanti first came out....he loved them!!
It was kind of his first job after getting out of the Navy.....didn't last long.
Ok back to the signature nightmare