The first of the factory-supercharged American muscle cars was the Studebaker Avanti R2 in 1963. It arrived during the muscle car revolution when American automakers still sought innovative ways to increase engine output. The Avanti packed a 289ci V8 with a Paxton supercharger to produce 280hp not much less than the Ford GT of the era and had a unique European-inspired style. Studebaker’s financial difficulties forced it to end production in 1964 after about 2,800 supercharged models, but for gearheads and collectors, the Avanti R2 remains a stand-out, offering a refinement and American muscle car element unlike anything else.

Other unique features of the Avanti R2 would include its relatively affordable market value in a space filled with equally rare American performance cars selling in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Whether the average market price of $36,500 for the Avanti R2 puts it in the same general market space as the Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible, the Oldsmobile 442 W-30, and the Ford Fairlane 500 R-Code is up for debate. Yet, the production numbers, racing and engineering affiliations do have an impact on pricing and collectible value of the cars. Those interested can also find the naturally aspirated Avanti R1 at a lower cost, which retains the impact of the supercharger not present on the R2.

1. The Studebaker Avanti’s Early Design and Engineering

The Studebaker Avanti already made its debut in 1962, using the same tough chassis from the Lark Convertible. The coupe’s European-inspired character lines, while rooted in the design language of that era, seemed odd. Between the long hood and the Studebaker V8 displacing 289 cubic inches and producing 240 horsepower the performance of this coupe was adequate. But just imagine what it could do with a little more “oomph.” Into that underperforming coupe came the supercharger, taking the 2.4-liter engine, and a noisemaker came along with it.

Avanti Design and Engine Essentials:

• Introduced during the 1962 model year
• Built on Lark Convertible chassis
• Distinctive European-inspired coupe body
• 289-cubic-inch Studebaker V8 engine
• Initial engine output reached 240 horsepower

Originally built as a standard road car, the Avanti was built on a well-established platform. Studebaker’s engineers used the car’s engine to develop the more powerful R2. The 289-cubic-inch V8 produced 240hp before the installation of the supercharger, providing the engineers with a benchmark to aim for as they worked to develop a more powerful forced induction engine for the car. Its styling was also different from many American cars of the era, thanks to its unusual shape and long bonnet, and meant that a Studebaker engineer was not having to reinvent the wheel. Studebaker decided to install a supercharger on the Avanti rather than completely redesign the platform to produce the Avanti R2.

2. How the Supercharged Avanti R2 Made Automotive History

And in 1963, a supercharged version of the Avanti was debuted by Studebaker engineers that married a Paxton blower to the 289-cubic-inch V8. 280-horsepower was added, just like that, making an even faster coupe prior to the arrival of the GTO and Shelby GT350. Still, the Avanti R2 was a very important step in the evolution of the supercharged performance car. By installing the unit on the production line, it proved that cars could be great factory supercharged applications rather than just naturally aspirated machines. But, like most other cars from its time period, it failed to garner the respect that many American muscle cars would eventually get.

Avanti R2 Performance Milestones:

• Paxton supercharger added for 1963
• Engine displacement remained 289 cubic inches
• Output increased to 280 horsepower
• Supercharging preceded several famous performance icons
• Established an early American performance milestone

The Avanti R2 was a literal horse of a different color. It was a rare factory supercharged American production performance car before most of the more renowned muscle cars of the era had even hit the scene. The Paxton blower gained another 40 ponies by adding the supercharger on top of the 240 horsepower it offered in its normally aspirated form, thereby setting a blueprint for future supercharged cars to follow while also setting a new standard for muscle car figures to aspire to. While the Avanti R2 didn’t have quite as much impact as some of its modern rivals of the same ilk, it still was a very important step in the ever-evolving race for American automobiles to deliver the best power numbers.

3. Limited Production and Studebaker’s Financial Struggles

Although the Avanti R2’s engineering was revolutionary, however, the supercharged version did not garner significant production before the original Avanti R2s were discontinued. Only around 2,800 supercharged Avanti R2s were built, making it a rare car. It was expensive to produce and not hugely profitable for Studebaker, which did not even have the sales to clear a profit. These problems were symptomatic of the wider issues facing Studebaker in the immediate postwar period the company was not able to stay afloat and closed down in 1964. The closure of the manufacturer deprived the Avanti of the opportunity to sell in huge volumes, even though it had brought a performance innovation to the table the fact that it was not manufactured in large numbers and that Studebaker went bankrupt later became a key part of its collector’s history.

Production and Company Challenges:

• Approximately 2,800 supercharged R2s produced
• Manufacturing costs remained relatively high
• Sales failed to meet expectations
• Studebaker faced broader financial difficulties
• Company operations ended in 1964

The Avanti R2 is probably better known for its non-prevalence than other performance cars from larger, more successful manufacturers. The production of some 2800 supercharged cars meant that the model remained a rarity, expensive manufacturing and lower sales figures contributed to mounting pressures on Studebaker, which eventually closed its doors in 1964. The design and technical innovation of the supercharged V8, however, not only gave the Avanti a significant status but meant that it could continue within other organizations, giving it a future even in the face of the company’s collapse. Over the years, this technical achievement ensures that the model is of particular interest to vintage-car experts, even without the high-production levels of other cars.

4. The Current Market Value of the 1963 Avanti R2

The 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2 is a slightly uncommon species when comparing its condition to modern restorations of performance cars. In terms of vintage performance, Hot Cars estimates its price, for now, at about $36,500-a more affordable way for new owners to enjoy supercharged American muscle. Buyers could opt for the naturally aspirated Avanti R1 at a significant discount-potentially saving around $10,000-at the expense of the R2’s supercharged performance. As increasingly rare American muscle cars become incredibly expensive, the Avanti R2 strikes a balance between spectacular performance, cool history, and attainable price tag.

Avanti R2 Pricing Essentials:

• Typical R2 value around $36,500
• Valuation attributed to HotCars
• Naturally aspirated R1 costs less
• R1 may save approximately $10,000
• Supercharged performance distinguishes the R2

Price matching the selling experience of many American exotics, the Avanti R2s’ current market price offers collectors the chance to acquire a supercharged Avanti in the more affordable reaches of the marketplace. At an estimated $36,500, owners will have a relatively rare supercharged vehicle that is not priced as dearly as others in the vintage market. While the R1 version may be a preferable entry for collectors interested in the Avanti’s unique look, the naturally aspirated drivetrain doesn’t seem to pack quite the punch of the R2. As such, buyers will need to consider purchase price to performance and historical data. Predicted sale prices can differ from individual vehicles however, the Avanti R2’s estimated market value makes it comparatively affordable compared to its peers.

5. The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible

The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible is a very different kind of rarity, and value. There were only five produced and is considered a very rare muscle car. It had a 400-cid V8 with round-port heads, forged pistons, high-lift camshaft, and an aluminum intake manifold its output was 370hp and 425lbft. The low production total has helped the GTO have a significant collectors’ following with one being sold in 2010 for $682,000 at RM Sotheby’s auction house, a much higher value than the Studebaker Avanti R2.

GTO Judge Rarity and Value:

• Only five examples were constructed
• 400-cubic-inch V8 engine fitted
• Rated at 370 horsepower
• Produced 425 pound-feet of torque
• One sold for $682,000 in 2010

As its name implies, the GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible is designed and valued as a collector car with ultra-rare production numbers and high performance specifi cations. With only fi ve units built, it is considerably more scarce than the around 2800 supercharged Avanti R2s built, with its unique 400ci engine and dense quarry of high end performance hardware inside. That handsomely priced $682,000 sale in 2010 shows how a unique personal luxury car can be priced far above a vintage supercharged powerhouse. Although both cars represent important chapters of Muscle Car history, the Judge is fi rmly in the ultra-rare collector car fi eld, where the R2 Avanti is on its way to being a savvy purchase for enthusiasts seeking a historical supercharged performance model without the $650k+ price.

6. The 1966 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

Another American muscle car rarer than the Avanti R2 is the 1966 Oldsmobile 442 W-30. In 1966, Oldsmobile built only 54 factory models that used the L69 engine, Ram-Air induction and a 308-degree race camshaft, which created 360 horsepower. The engine’s design means that the W-30 is a collector’s dream, and it achieves high auction prices because of it. According to the number provision, the W-30 will normally get for less than $70,000, which isn’t actually that bad for a rare muscle car, although it’s still almost twice the price of the supercharged Avanti R2 that is worth approximately $36,500.

Oldsmobile W-30 Performance Details:

• Only 54 factory examples produced
• Featured the L69 engine configuration
• Ram-Air induction system included
• 308-degree race camshaft installed
• Engine generated 360 horsepower

This is what makes a factory-built option such as this Oldsmobile 442 W-30 so desirable. With only 54 factory W-30s built, the L69 (396/350 HP) with the Ram-Air induction and the race camshaft gives the car a definite performance story. Auction values reportedly at less than $70,000 still give the W-30 more market appeal than the Avanti R2’s $36,500, but the prices are never exact. Collectors can spend double or triple that for a muscle car if it is a super rare muscle car that was built on a limited basis, which is why the buyer of the Avanti R2 can pay a lower price while still capturing a chunk of American supercharged performance history.

7. The 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 R-Code

Ford only produced 57 examples of the 1966 Fairlane 500 R-Code to homologate its race-prepped 427 FE Side-Oiler V8 for NHRA Super Stock racing. Endearingly stuffed into the larger-than-necessary body of a mid-sized machine, the Blue Oval’s officially rated 425-horse and 480-foot pound of torque engine on the factory dyno machine has been claimed to check in at well over 500 ponies. (how’dya like that?) The relatively petite Fairlane body combined with a monster V8 to produce a guy-that-sets-tires-smoke-off-a-rolling-50-Center performance machine that today makes for a cool muscle car ‘mechanical’ spread of 1966 muscle car power combined with a low-production number to give muscle car fans a different perspective of performance from the glorious muscle car era. (see comparative information below with the even rarer Avanti R2).

Fairlane R-Code Engineering Highlights:

• Only 57 examples were built
• Featured a 427 FE Side-Oiler V8
• Created for NHRA Super Stock homologation
• Officially rated at 425 horsepower
• Dyno tests reportedly exceeded 500 horsepower

The Fairlane 500 R-Code is an example of how manufacturers used low-production models to support racing programs and the transfer of unique engineering into everyday production cars. Its 427 FE Side-Oiler V8 had factory claimed horsepower ratings, but its reported dyno values imply even more power. Only 57 examples were ever built for homologation, so this car is much rarer than the Avanti R2. However, the pair showcase very different performance approaches the Fairlane made use of a big naturally aspirated V8 to generate its power, while the Avanti R2 was inspired by the use of a supercharger to boost its 289-cid V8. Collectors should appreciate the two as examples of two American manufacturers’ approach to high performance in the early days of muscle-car technology.

8. The 1966 Buick Wildcat GS and 1969 AMC AMX California 500 Special

Even fewer muscle cars were made than the Avanti R2. Only 21 copies of Buick’s 1966 Wildcat GS Super Wildcat were made, fitted with a dual-quad-carburetor 425-cubic-inch Nailhead V8 that produced 360 hp and was coupled to a three-speed Turbine 400 automatic. The American Motors Corporation (AMC) built 1969 AMC AMX California 500 Special models, of which an estimated 32 were built in Big Bad Green with Saddle tan leather upholstery, a 315-horsepower 390 V8, and a price tag of $4,933.31 at time of purchase. Even in this limited edition, the number of units published offers you a solid reference point on which to compare the Avanti R2 to other collector cars.

Rare Muscle Car Production Figures:

• Buick Wildcat GS produced 21 examples
• Wildcat featured a 425-cubic-inch V8
• Engine output reached 360 horsepower
• AMC AMX Special numbered approximately 32
• AMX featured a 315-horsepower 390 V8

Wildcat and 32 AMC AMX California 500 Special show us how unlikely an American performance car could be when it was built in very low numbers. Buick’s 21 examples had a monster Nailhead V8 with dual four-barrels. AMC California 500 Special packages (around 32) had a 390 combined with paint and trim to set it apart. These combined for numbers that were vastly less than the approximately 2,800 supercharged Avanti R2s built. That helps show why special configurations and rarities are worth so much to the collector, but the Avanti R2 truly is somewhere in the middle, rare, historic, yet with a reported value that is seemingly far more affordable than most high-end muscle cars.

9. The Rarest Muscle Cars and the 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster

The most rareof American muscle cars can have production totals in the single digits. The supplied examples are three 1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Convertibles, two 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T HEMI Convertibles, and one each of the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Convertible, 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Convertible, and 1967 Comet Capri 427 W-Code. 1903 The early days of supercharged performance also had significant pioneers. The Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster of 1935 applied a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharger for 150 horsepower. The Gordon Buehrig-designed and boattail-styled Speedster had pontoon fenders and a Columbia dual-ratio rear axle, each cars reportedly wore a dashboard plaque signed by driver Ab Jenkins.

Rare Performance Car Historical Details:

• Plymouth HEMI Convertible production totaled three
• Dodge Coronet HEMI Convertible totaled two
• Several other models had single examples
• Auburn 851 produced 150 horsepower
• Ab Jenkins signed each dashboard plaque

The nickel-and-dime production runs of these musclecars really tells us how exclusive some factory performance cars can be. The Avanti R2 production of around 1,200 cars, on the other hand, pales in comparison to the R2, which had a production of roughly 1,200 cars. But all of them. The Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster makes a point that supercharging car came well before the musclecar period of the 1960s. Its 150-horsepower production, boattail design, and dashboard plaque signed off by Auburn engineering ties the modern-day muscle car to the history of racing and engineering. Auburn Supercharger affected the production of an earlier era of limited-production forced-induction performance cars like the Studebaker Avanti R2.

10. Why the Studebaker Avanti R2 Remains an Accessible Collector Car

While the supercharger models are going to be expensive for most consumers, the American performance car culture can see plenty of double-digit stamp on the vintage cars. With the 1963 Studebaker Avanti R2, hot cars reports that the value is far below what would be expected, at least for an American performance car collector, with around $36,465 (about £24,912). It’s a supercharged V8 with a Paxton supercharger, 280 ponies, unique styling and only around 2,800 made. There’s also the naturally aspirated R1 if you want a cheaper one, but this doesn’t have the forced induction and for this one, you can expect to pay around $10,000 less, at least.

Avanti R2 Collector Value Summary:

• Estimated market value around $36,500
• Supercharged engine produces 280 horsepower
• Approximately 2,800 R2s were produced
• R1 offers a lower-cost alternative
• Represents early American supercharged performance

For any enthusiast buying into an Avanti, a whole different world awaits than the most rare and expensive muscle cars auctioned off every year. While most other expensive auctions require a six or seven-figure budget to get in the world of the rarest muscle cars, most collections could easily afford an R2 even in pristine condition. The car is significant for being one of the first factory-supercharged cars ever offered and carries a stylish look coupled with a rare build race and limited production to make it more affordable for most vintage-car collectors. The R1 offers the collector who appreciates the styled and design of the Avanti a good alternative for less, with the tradeoff of no supercharged performance.