March, 1961: The Studebaker Avanti

Sherwood Egbert (at right in photo), the new president of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation, turns to famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy (left) to create a sports car that will reinvigorate the company. The result: the Avanti. Its sleek, modern look is a complete departure from the more rounded Studebakers and Packards of years past.

After meeting with Egbert in early March, Loewy gathers a team of designers and sets to work near Palm Springs, California. Remarkably, they produce the completely new design (and a full-size clay model) in less than 6 weeks. The Avanti is pushed into production and would debut at the New York Auto Show in April 1962.

-- The Avanti:

* Summary (from howstuffworks.com): @

* Summary (from danjedlicka.com): @

* "The Unlikely Studebaker" (from ateupwithmotor.com): @

* Raymond Loewy's sketches for Avanti (from Library of Congress): @

* www.avantisource.com: @

* Avanti Owners Association International: @

* Short film introducing the car: @

-- Raymond Loewy:

* Official website: @

* www.raymondloewy.org: @

* Virtual exhibit (from Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Delaware): @

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