I love seeing unique, random builds at the tracks! Nothing against a hot Mustang or a twin-turbo Camaro, but everybody will take notice of an oddball car that they don’t normally see…and you had better believe that if you showed up with a back-halved Avanti, that people would sit up and take notice. When was the last time you saw a drag-racing Avanti of any generation roll into the burnout box and light them off?
Avantis were the continuation of the Avanti by private individuals and companies after Studebaker closed up shop. Being a 1983 model, this is a Stephen H. Blake-era car, which means that it was basically a GM G-body with a unique exterior. That was when the car was new…now, only the shape of the Avanti is all that is left, but that’s not a bad thing. We like a good tube-chassis car around here, and in front of you is a roller that is ready to go. You have to provide just about everything that isn’t body or chassis, but wouldn’t you want it your way in the first place?
If this thing isn’t sporting a massive Hemi by this time next year, we are going to be so disappointed. Someone make this car as badass as it’s early form promises to be.
eBay Link: 1983 Avanti race car
4-rotor 4-turbo Mazda rotary or for the less adventurous a twin turbo bored and stroked AMC 401 – but by all that is holy DO NOT put in a Chevy!
What are you tripping on today Geordie? A rotary, you serious or just delirious!
That needs a serious power plant like a 481X, Hemi, Shotgun, or anything big!
Just daring to be different, jerry – would you say that about that orange Chevelle with the rotary in it?
I’ve heard WAY too many beehives over the years at the track and there is no way even I was given a 1000+ hp rotary, to the dumpster is goes.
I can’t. Look, I LOVE Avantis. But that is just a paint carrier. There is no Avati “there”. I’m not much on full on tube chassis cars.
In fact, not into them at all.
How about a Toyota 2jz turbo motor? Straight sixes are a favorite of mine. And I guess you could run at import races.
I have always loved these cars… from way back in the 70’s… IF I had the $$$