1962 · South Bend, IN
by [Studebaker] [Automobiles]
South Bend, IN: Studebaker, 1962. Collection of nine vintage publicity photographs of the Studebaker Avanti, including four double-weight color photographs and five black and white photographs, two of which are compilation photographs of the interior and details. The pool-side photograph, found in the collection, is of note as being from the same photo-shoot as the cover photograph of the June 1962 magazine "Palm Springs Life: The Magazine of the Desert Empire," which featured a cover article on the Avanti, "Avanti — Desert Designed Car."
Studebaker was founded as a coachmaker in South Bend, Indiana in 1852. By the early years of the twentieth century the company began manufacturing automobiles, which, for the next 50 years, established itself a reputation for producing reliable, high-quality vehicles. By the end of the 1950s however, the company was struggling to survive. In an effort to restore the company's vitality, and to compete against the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, Studebaker appointed Sherwood Egbert as its new president.
The story of the now legendary Avanti reportedly began as a "doodle" made by Egbert during an airplane flight, which was given to industrial stylist Raymond Loewry, who, with his team, was given 40 days to come up with a suitable design to restore the company's reputation and its economic viability. The result was the revolutionary Studebaker Avanti, manufactured a mere 16 months later and featuring an aerodynamic fiberglass body, a built in roll bar, a padded interior, and caliper disc brakes. Advertised as "the world's fastest production car," the Avanti broke 29 American stock car records from the Bonneville Salt Flats, reaching nearly 200 mph. Chicago Sun-Times automotive editor Dan Jedlicka said of the vehicle, "The rakish 1963-64 Studebaker Avanti was among the most daring 1960s American cars, a modern masterpiece with totally unique American syling that even top exotic Italian auto stylists wouldn't attempt to do."
Unfortunately, due to production difficulties, and buyers cautious of the Studebaker name, only 1200 were sold in 1962, with fewer than 4600 sold in 1963, at which time Studebaker shut down the Avanti factory. In 1966 Studebaker would manufacture their last automobile before merging with Wagner Electric in 1967.
10 x 8 inches. Color photographs lightly faded, else Near Fine. (Inventory #: 163817)
Studebaker was founded as a coachmaker in South Bend, Indiana in 1852. By the early years of the twentieth century the company began manufacturing automobiles, which, for the next 50 years, established itself a reputation for producing reliable, high-quality vehicles. By the end of the 1950s however, the company was struggling to survive. In an effort to restore the company's vitality, and to compete against the Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, Studebaker appointed Sherwood Egbert as its new president.
The story of the now legendary Avanti reportedly began as a "doodle" made by Egbert during an airplane flight, which was given to industrial stylist Raymond Loewry, who, with his team, was given 40 days to come up with a suitable design to restore the company's reputation and its economic viability. The result was the revolutionary Studebaker Avanti, manufactured a mere 16 months later and featuring an aerodynamic fiberglass body, a built in roll bar, a padded interior, and caliper disc brakes. Advertised as "the world's fastest production car," the Avanti broke 29 American stock car records from the Bonneville Salt Flats, reaching nearly 200 mph. Chicago Sun-Times automotive editor Dan Jedlicka said of the vehicle, "The rakish 1963-64 Studebaker Avanti was among the most daring 1960s American cars, a modern masterpiece with totally unique American syling that even top exotic Italian auto stylists wouldn't attempt to do."
Unfortunately, due to production difficulties, and buyers cautious of the Studebaker name, only 1200 were sold in 1962, with fewer than 4600 sold in 1963, at which time Studebaker shut down the Avanti factory. In 1966 Studebaker would manufacture their last automobile before merging with Wagner Electric in 1967.
10 x 8 inches. Color photographs lightly faded, else Near Fine. (Inventory #: 163817)
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