Studebaker Avanti Introduction

The Avanti is an American performance sports coupe based on the Studebaker Avanti and marketed through a succession of five different ownership arrangements subsequent to Studebaker's discontinuation of the model. After the closure of Studebaker's South Bend, Indiana, factory on December 20, 1963, cars carrying the Avanti nameplate were initially produced from left-over Studebaker components and later, by the Avanti Motor Company from General Motors and Ford chassis and engines. The Avanti was publicly introduced on April 26, 1962, “simultaneously at the New York International Automobile Show and at the Annual Shareholders Meeting.“ Rodger Ward, winner of the 1962 Indianapolis 500, received a Studebaker Avanti as part of his prize package, “thus becoming the first private owner of an Avanti.“ A Studebaker Lark convertible was the Indianapolis pace car that year, and the Avanti was named the honorary pace car. In December 1962 the Los Angeles Times reported: “Launching of operations at Studebaker's own fiber-glass body works to increase production of Avantis.“ Many production problems concerning the supplier, fit, and finish resulted in delays and cancelled orders. Egbert planned to sell 20,000 Avantis in 1962, but could build only 1,200. The original Studebaker Avanti has been described as “one of the more significant milestones of the postwar industry“. For availability and licensing inquiries, please contact: Ref: S113 and S058