Topic: Motoring Memories: Studebaker Avanti, 1962-1963

[Autos_Editor]

In 1961, renowned car designer, Raymond Loewy, was recruited to design an “image” car for Studebaker to help boost sales, but his creation, the Avanti, fell victim to Studebaker’s serious financial difficulties.

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[Bob Smith]

Also included in the Stude Avanti were: the first American production application of disc brakes (a year before Corvette); an integrated roll bar; Mercedes-Benz burst-proof door latches; fully-padded dash; and an overhead console that just screams "Jet Age". The car should have had IRS, but rushed production and limited capital prevented that. No question, though, Raymond Loewy was a genius- the Avanti is a work of modern art (like it or not).  

Yes, I still miss my 63 R1...

[Gardiner Westbound]

In 1979 my boss bought a new one produced by one of the successor companies. It sure was different! Alas, he only had it about three weeks when he T-boned a car at a country intersection. He was unhurt, but the Avanti was a write-off. He never replaced it.

[Roland Vardon]

There is a Canadian Avanti Association for those interested in the car. Contact Avanti2696@rogers.com.

It has been stated many times that had the Avanti been built by any of the Big 3, it would have been a massive success. At a suggested retail price in excess of the Corvette Split Window Coupe in 1963, many flocked to the Corvette when paint and body fit was not achieved. By the time Studebaker got paint and body panel problems resolved in mid 1963 (in house production of fiberglass panels at that time), it was too little too late to save it. Avanti, was last built in 2007 in very limited production.

As a point of clarification, there were 29 Bonneville Records set by Avanti within a 12 hour period.