The Bugsport Avanti

[mr moto]

I doubt that too many onthis forum are familiar with the on-line comic strip called Bugsport so here's a little history to get you ready for what I built.

Back in 1963, Studebaker created a series of picture postcards to help their dealers promote the new models on the lot. This was one of the Avanti promotional postcards:

Then around 2004 or so cartoonist Ted Bastien created the fictional town of Bugsport. It's inhabited by a mix of aliens and humans and the aliens are just regular citizens like everybody else. They're in the Masons, they work at the lumber mill, the book store, etc. However, their means of transportation is a little unusual. They use Studebakers that incorporate alien technology. This is how Ted Bastien saw the postcard scene:

Well, I figured if I don't do it nobody else will so here it is:

 

 

 

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by mr moto

[lordairgtar]

Pretty darned interesting.

 

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

That's really cool

[89AKurt]

That's a trip!  Never heard of the Bugsport.  Nice job on it.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Nicely done!

 

[Tommy124]

Cool idea, well executed!

[Earl Marischal]

38 minutes ago, Tommy124 said:

Cool idea, well executed!

x 2

steve

[ChrisR]

COOL!!!

[oldnslow]

Now that's different . Love it .

[David G.]

Nicely done! 

In addition to the excellent mods. I really like the vanity plates and the engine.

David G.

[BIGTRUCK]

I never heard of other versions of the Avanti, but you did a great job on building this version. Not that it really matters, just curious, is the interior built stock?

[Spottedlaurel]

That brought a smile to my face, Bugsport is completely new to me. Your build is very well-executed, it looks great.

The use of the Avanti reminded me of the Sci-Fi film Gattaca, where I remember they used things like Citroen DS and Rover 2000 as swoopy cars of the future.

[Snake45]

Different and therefore interesting, and also extremely well executed! Model on! 

[Peter Lombardo]

Very well done, not your usual cup of tea, certainly different.  I love the creativity and taking up the challenge of doing something different.  Box stock is simple, but throwing away the instruction sheet and breaking new ground is infinitely more gratifying. Nice job.

[thatz4u]

what they all said x2...very well done.

[mr moto]

Many thank you's to everybody for the great comments. I really appreciate it!

While the "Bugsport" comic isn't widely known, it was a huge hit in the Studebaker world which is actually still a large and active community of enthusiasts. No new 'toons have been posted in years. Ted Bastien had to concentrate on other projects that actually generate income (like Paw Patrol). If you'd like to look at Bugsport here's a link:

http://tedsstudio.com/bugsport/?page0001

 

14 hours ago, BIGTRUCK said:

I never heard of other versions of the Avanti, but you did a great job on building this version. Not that it really matters, just curious, is the interior built stock?

Yes, the interior is built stock but not totally out-of-the-box. The AMT kit depicts a transitional 1963/64 car with the 813 BKV interior option - basically a 1964 interior installed in a 1963 car and only available in black. Since the original  "postcard" car is definitely an early production '63, I back-dated the interior with a few slight changes. It's done in a popular color scheme for 1963 cars of elk and fawn with black carpet (designated as color scheme no. 2). BTW, the body is painted in factory Avanti Gold from MCW Finishes. The driver is cobbled together from a 1/32 scale Ulrich Mini-Man with head and hands from a Pegasus alien.

 

[BIGTRUCK]

8 hours ago, mr moto said:

 

 

Very cool indeed. The driver fits  like he was made to be part of the kit.

[doorsovdoon]

What a great looking piece for the shelf, I love it! Awesome looking build, it looks like something that could have been prototyped back in the day like the turbine cars.

[Hi-Po]

Fabulous!  That is totally out of this world, lol.  Nice job on the build. 

[Dragonhawk1066]

Very cool and very well done!

[bisc63]

I love it! Very creative stuff, and the under hood detail is particularly nice. Well done!!

[Safire6]

Very cool!! Does it have landing gear underneath?

 

[crazyjim]

That's pretty cool.

[PappyD340]

That's really cool!

[mr moto]

Again, thanks to everyone for the kind words. It's good to be appreciated!

6 hours ago, Safire6 said:

Very cool!! Does it have landing gear underneath?

 

Well, not exactly. The real thing is supposed to hover when parked with no landing gear involved. My version is held up by three short pieces of clear lucite plastic rod - hopefully, out of sight. The rods fit into little pockets in the base so it won't move around when it's docked but it can be removed.