The Studebaker Avanti: America’s Bold Coupe

A Car That Broke the Rules

The Studebaker Avanti is one of the boldest cars ever made in the USA. Built between 1962 and 1963, it was a short run, but the impact it left is still alive today. Studebaker called it “America’s only four-seat high-speed car.” And they were not wrong. The Avanti mixed style, power, and safety in a way that was rare in the early 60s.

This car was more than just metal and wheels—it was a dream from Studebaker’s new leader, Sherwood Egbert. He wanted to bring the company back to life with a car that looked like no other. While flying one day, Egbert drew the first sketch of what would become the Avanti. His goal was simple: build something that could compete with the Ford Thunderbird and make Studebaker cool again.

To make that dream real, Egbert called in one of the world’s best designers—Raymond Loewy. Loewy and his small team, including Tom Kellogg, Bob Andrews, and John Ebstein, had just 40 days to design the car. The result? A sleek, modern coupe with curves that looked like they came from the future.

Design Ahead of Its Time

The Avanti looked nothing like other cars of its day. It had no front grille, a long hood, and smooth lines that made it look fast even when parked. The rear fenders curved like the body of a jet plane. This design wasn’t just for looks—it also helped with speed and airflow.

But Studebaker didn’t stop at the shape. The Avanti’s body was made of fiberglass, not steel. This was rare for American cars then. Fiberglass made the car lighter, faster, and rust-free. The body panels were built by Molded Fiberglass Body in Ohio—the same company that made parts for the Corvette.

Inside, the Avanti was just as special. It had a clean, aircraft-style dashboard, padded seats, and safety features that were far ahead of their time. Studebaker added front disc brakes made under license from Dunlop, a British company. That made the Avanti the first U.S. production car with front disc brakes.

Another unique feature was the way air entered the engine. Instead of a big grille, the Avanti used a “bottom breather” design, pulling air from under the car. This type of engineering would become common decades later, but Avanti did it first.

Built for Speed and Safety

Under the hood, the Studebaker Avanti came with a 289-cubic-inch V8 engine. For drivers who wanted even more power, Studebaker offered a Paxton supercharger. With that setup, the Avanti R3 could hit 170 mph (270 km/h) on the Bonneville Salt Flats. That made it the fastest production car in the world at the time.

In total, the Avanti broke 29 world speed records at Bonneville. It wasn’t just fast—it was stable, safe, and smooth at high speeds. Studebaker engineers were proud of this, and it showed in every test.

Despite these achievements, production didn’t go as planned. Studebaker aimed to sell 20,000 units in 1962, but only 1,200 were built. Many delays came from issues with the fiberglass body, parts supply, and fitting problems. Some cars didn’t leave the factory for months, which hurt sales.

Still, for those who got one, it was a true gem. Even race drivers admired it. The 1962 Indianapolis 500 winner, Rodger Ward, got an Avanti as part of his prize. That made him the first private owner of the model.

End of Production—but Not the End

Sadly, Studebaker stopped building cars in 1963. When the South Bend factory closed, only a few hundred Avantis remained. Competition Press, a car magazine at the time, reported that the company had just five Avantis left in the warehouse. Dealers had about 2,500 in stock, and roughly 1,600 had already been sold.

To put that in perspective, Chevrolet built over 23,000 Corvettes in 1963 alone. It was clear that Studebaker couldn’t compete with bigger brands.

But the Avanti story didn’t end there. Two Studebaker dealers from South Bend—Nate Altman and Leo Newman—bought the rights, name, and tooling after the factory closed. They reintroduced the car in 1965 as the Avanti II. This version used leftover Studebaker parts and later engines from General Motors. Each car was hand-built and sold to loyal fans who loved the design.

Over the years, more people carried the Avanti name forward. Different small companies built modified versions through 2006, keeping the legend alive for over four decades.

The Avanti Spirit Lives On

What makes the Avanti special is not just its speed or looks—it’s the spirit behind it. This was a car born from passion and risk. Studebaker dared to think different at a time when most brands played safe.

The Avanti showed that a car could be stylish, fast, and safe all at once. Even today, collectors still praise it for its bold design and performance. Many say it inspired later American cars that mixed power with elegance.

Fans of the Avanti formed a group called the Avanti Owners Association International in 1965. The group now has over 2,000 members across the world, from the U.S. to Switzerland. Every year, they meet to share their love for the car. Members also get a full-color “Avanti Magazine” that celebrates stories, restorations, and memories.

A Forward Legacy

The word Avanti means “forward” in Italian—and that’s exactly what the car stood for. It pushed design, speed, and safety forward when few dared to do so.

Today, the Studebaker Avanti is a symbol of courage and creativity in the auto world. It reminds us that great ideas don’t always come from big brands—they come from people willing to dream and take risks.

Even though production stopped long ago, the Avanti still turns heads wherever it goes. From car shows to private collections, it remains one of the most admired American cars ever made.

So, if you ever see one cruising by, take a good look. You’re not just looking at a car—you’re looking at history on wheels.

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