This next car is an interesting combination of new and old. Of eclectic and electric. Of forward thinking and green style. Of pink and blue. Yes. Somebody put a Studebaker Avanti body on top of a Nissan Leaf chassis and I don’t know if I should be excited or disgusted. Find this 1979 Avanti converted to Electric Leaf offered for $23000 in Pembina, ND via craigslist. Tip from Adam.





From the seller:

1979 Avanti converted to Electric

VIN: RQ-B-2887

condition: like new

cylinders: other

drive: fwd

fuel: electric

odometer: 20542

paint color: custom

size: compact

title status: clean

transmission: other

type: coupe









Avanti converted to totally electric car. A 2013 Nissan Leaf was the donor vehicle. The unibody was converted to a framed vehicle and the one-piece Avanti fibreglass body placed on to the new chassis. Leaf motor/trans-axle, inverter, charger etc were used. The new vehicle is a 2013 Nissan Leaf with an Avanti body. The new car has the Leaf dash and all electronics. Heater/AC, navigation system instrument cluster etc are all Leaf. It retains the Leaf charging system with the 110v and 240v charging port in the Avanti gas filler space. It also has a 440v supercharger port under the hood for 80% charge in 30 minutes. Range is the same as a 2013 Nissan Leaf .. about 85 miles. I have auxiliary charging cords so I can charge with any 110v outlet or any 220 v outlet: recreational park plug, electric dryer plug, welder plug etc. The “new” vehicle drives exactly like a 2013 Nissan Leaf as all suspension and steering components are 2013 Leaf. So, of course, it has front wheel drive, Leaf electric steering, two calliper disc brakes etc. The battery is under the floorboards, as the Leaf, still easily removable from underneath.There is room for a full sized spare in the factory Avanti spare tire well, under the trunk … accessed from the trunk. All LED lights, cruise control, horn, wipers

etc controlled by the factory Nissan steering column switches.









There are hundreds of sophisticated modifications too numerous to mention .. all done with precision and care. Under 20,000 miles on this virtually new car.





In 1963 Ian Fleming owned an Avanti (said it drove better than an Aston Martin DB7). So as an homage to the“James Bond” author, I have installed a smoke screen machine, flipping licence plates and machine guns which are hidden behind the front signal lights. All are controlled remotely so they can be operated form outside or inside the car.





The Glass is all perfect, the body has never been smashed, all chrome redone, paint was done in 2000. It looks good, but upon close scrutiny you can see it is not show car paint, but that being said I took first place at the “World of Wheels” competition as “ The Most Innovative Vehicle”. The car is a big hit at any car show, always gathering a crowd. No one wants to look at a $150,000 Tesla, they want to see the “one of a kind” Electric Avanti.





The 1979 Avanti was originally a Hawaii car I bought from the original owner in 1997 and used it for years until I did the conversion in 2016.





I have spent over $90,000 doing the conversion but upcoming medical expenses dictate a sale. It was a tough decision between my 57 T-Bird and the Avanti. I have had the T-bird longer and my wife wants to keep it. My name is Lloyd, I’m 72 years old. I have many pictures during construction and an intimate knowledge of everything to do with the build of this one-of-a-kind vehicle. A first place plaque, show description poster and “build book”, with all pictures and details go with the sale.

do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers

See a stranger thing with 4 wheels? tips@dailyturismo.com