| The Avanti was conceived,
designed, produced, manufactured, and sold by a variety of individuals.
The impetus to develop a sports car as a marketing strategy
to bolster the sagging sales of Studebaker
products was the idea of company president, Sherwood
Egbert. Egbert's choice of industrial design guru, Raymond
Loewy to supervise the design of the car was a logical decision
based on Loewy's previously successful Studebaker
models. Tom Kellogg was part of the
original design team that worked with Loewy to produce drawings
and a clay mock-up. Loewy presented the concepts to the Studebaker
board who responded with unanimous applause. Gene
Hardig was assigned by Studebaker
to handle technical and engineering issues.
Nate Altman and
partner Leo Newman, South Bend Studebaker
dealers, saved the car by purchasing the rights, equipment,
and parts. Production of the Avanti II began in 1965 in part
of the former Studebaker complex.
The business survived for almost 18 years and during that
period the car remained relatively unchanged. The company
was purchased by Stephen Blake in
1983. Blake introduced the convertible
and put Avantis back into the racing
circuit with moderate success. Unfortunately, Blake's ambitious
approach led to technical problems that forced him into bankruptcy.
By 1986 Michael Kelly
introduced the LSC or "Luxury
Sport Coupe," which was extended nine inches to add
interior space. John J. Cafaro took
over in 1989 and moved production to Youngstown, Ohio. Cafaro
introduced the 4-door model which
was based on Raymond Loewy's designs.
Avanti production ended in 1991 only to be continued in the
middle of the decade as the AVX, an
Avanti concept car created by Jim Bunting who also built a
2-passenger model. In 2000 John
Seaton and John Hull formed a new Avanti company with partner
Michael Kelly.
|
Loewy shown on the cover of Avanti Magazine
with some of his legendary designs. Counterclockwise left to
right: a greyhound bus, early 1950's Studebaker, Coca Cola dispenser,
the Avanti, Shell Oil logo, Exxon logo, and the Lucky Strike
cigerette package.
|
