When Kelly was in town (South Bend) making the Avanti, I was a big fan. He was using GM Monte Carlos as a frame at the time and the car still had the Avanti feel to it since they were being made in Studebaker buildings and the car still looked much like Loewy's design. When he sold it and the new owners moved to Ohio that car was pretty much dead.
This new Avanti, while interesting, is not an Avanti. Nor is that Studebaker Xuv a Stude. These are panels stuck on existing cars that still look as much like the previous car as it does the new car. I see Firebird all over that thing and to have an original in the same picture for the intro is a slap in the face. I understand this probably has to be done to keep costs down but I for one am not keen on seeing the Avanti or Studebaker name draped on a half ass attempt of anything.
I tell you what. For what they want for those cars, do yourself a favor. Go buy an original, have a Paxson SC put on it and you'll have the best looking, fastest Avanti going and it will be the real deal.
