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An update on the current whereabouts of Studebaker

An update on the current whereabouts of Studebaker

Posted Mar 9th 2006 5:30PM

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The Toronto Star reminds readers that the Studebaker (which some may have thought had vanished into the pages of automotive history, car enthusiasts, and Wikipedia entries), is still trudging forward.

According to the Star, Avanti Motor Corporation (formed shortly after Studebaker closed its doors back in 1966), continues to revive the Studebaker name. Already producing the Avanti car (based on a Studebaker concept that would have competed against the Corvette and Thunderbird), the company has been planning on entering the SUV market with the Studebaker XUV (pictured), a Hummer-esque vehicle to be powered by either a petrol or diesel V10 engine. The company in fact showed their wares a few years ago at the Chicago Auto Show (including unveiling a schoolbus-yellow XUV), only to go underground again.

[Source: The Toronto Star]

Category: Car Buying, Classics, Coupe, Sedan, Truck, Wagon

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24 Comments

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Gord

Add my voice to those who say the original article was badly written, in that it implied the original Avanti was merely a concept car. I used to own one, so I know they were produced (about 4500 were built by Studebaker).

There have been several iterations of the XUV, and I don't know if any have actually been offered for sale. There definitely is a market niche for a big, Diesel-powered SUV (more utility, less sport). I, for one actually LIKE the idea of using cheap, commonplace sealed beam headlamps. Cheap and cheerful to replace when they get taken out by a rock, which can't be said for those wretched composite headlamps. And there are rocks on the road in my world.

I don't see the XUV as a "real" Studebaker, but it might just be a real contender in a specific market niche.

March 20 2006 at 9:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jeffrey DeWitt

>The 51-52 bullet noses didnt look like it could have been from a low budget sci-fi movie ?

Actually it was 50 and 51, and one reason those cars look like something from a low budget movie is because they were used in low budget movies (and some big budget ones too, such as Batman and the Muppet Movie).

The XUV isn't an Excursion, it's built on the F250 platform, but Avanti Motors is having problems and I don't know if any of these will actually be built.

Jeff DeWitt

March 20 2006 at 12:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Butler

Why ???

March 10 2006 at 1:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike Homeniuk

If they put that mostrousity out, they should change their name to "Stupidbaker"

March 10 2006 at 8:57 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tom in Boston

They must have borrowed the finest designers in Japan to come up with this. It's just "industrial comical", a total, X-Man toy. It has all the wrong proportional cues like many Asian designs, bulky angles where there should be curves, bizarro claddings and weird headlights. Very fun in it's own way. With nothing to compete with, it's a runaway success!

March 10 2006 at 8:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Glenn A.

Likewise, it can't be a "real" Studebaker unless it rusts. Oh, wait, Chrysler products (particularly 1957 through 1961) rusted even faster. Never mind.

Yeah, it's a totally useless huge SUV based on the Ford Excursion that is going to be soon discontinued.

C'mon, Avanti, do a Hawk update instead. At least that'd have some style. And, retro is "in" right now.

March 10 2006 at 7:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

tick tock.

>Why resurrect the Studebaker name for something that >looks like its out of a low budget sci-fi movie?

The 51-52 bullet noses didnt look like it could have been from a low budget sci-fi movie ?

>14. It isn't a REAL Studebaker unless it burns oil >and the clutch chatters

Will see how your valves are holding up in 50 years.

March 10 2006 at 2:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dude

I saw another article about this a while back, it is just a Ford Excursion with different sheet metal.
Why resurrect the Studebaker name for something that looks like its out of a low budget sci-fi movie?

March 10 2006 at 1:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jay

Hey, Joel A,

I think #5 got upset because you implied that Studebaker never made the car and that it was only ever made by Avanti Motor. The real Studebaker did in fact make the car first.

March 09 2006 at 11:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

iQuack

It isn't a REAL Studebaker unless it burns oil and the clutch chatters.

March 09 2006 at 10:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply