Studebaker Avanti

Studebaker Avanti
1963 Studebaker Avanti
Overview
ManufacturerStudebaker Corporation
Also calledAvanti
Production1962: 1,200;[1]
1963: fewer than 4,600[2]
AssemblyStudebaker Automotive Plant, South Bend, Indiana
DesignerRaymond Loewy and Associates
Body and chassis
ClassPersonal luxury car
Body style2-door coupe[3]
LayoutFR layout
RelatedStudebaker Lark
Powertrain
Engine289 cu in (4.7 L) 240 hp (243 PS; 179 kW) V8 (1963)[4]
Transmission3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase109 in (2,769 mm)[5]
Length192.4 in (4,887 mm)[6]
Width70.3 in (1,786 mm)[6]
Height53.8 in (1,367 mm)[6]
Curb weight3,095 lb (1,404 kg)[6]
Chronology
PredecessorStudebaker Gran Turismo Hawk

The Studebaker Avanti is a personal luxury coupe[7] manufactured and marketed by Studebaker Corporation between June 1962 and December 1963. A halo car for the maker,[8] it was marketed as "America's only four-passenger high-performance personal car."[9]

Described as "one of the more significant milestones of the postwar industry",[1]: p257  the Raymond Loewy-designed car offered safety features and high-speed performance. Called "the fastest production car in the world" upon its introduction, a modified Avanti reached over 170 mph (270 km/h)[8] with its supercharged 289-cubic-inch (4,740 cm3) R3 engine at the Bonneville Salt Flats. In all, it broke 29 world speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.[8][10]

Following Studebaker's discontinuation of the model, a succession of five ventures manufactured and marketed derivatives of the Avanti model through 2006. These ventures licensed intellectual property and, in some cases procured parts, through arrangements with the successors to the Studebaker assets.

  1. ^ a b Hendry, Maurice M. (1972). "Studebaker: One Can Do a Lot of Remembering in South Bend". Automobile Quarterly. Vol. 10, no. 3. pp. 228–275.
  2. ^ "1963–1964 Studebaker Avanti". How Stuff Works. December 17, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  3. ^ Foster, Patrick (2015). Studebaker: The Complete History. Crestline Books. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-7858-3261-4. Retrieved March 7, 2016. The exiting 1963 Avanti was one of the most beautiful sports coupes ever produced.
  4. ^ "1963–1964 Studebaker Avanti". How Stuff Works. December 17, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Melissen, Wouter (January 2, 2005). "Studebaker Avanti". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d "The Production of the Studebaker Avanti". How Stuff Works. December 17, 2007. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  7. ^ Langworth, Richard M. (1986). Complete book of collectible cars, 1930-1980. Random House. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-517-47934-6. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c Webber, John (September 27, 2019). "Studebaker Avanti: The World's Fastest Production Car". Classic Motorsports. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Studebaker: Different by Design". oldcarbrochures.org (Sales brochure). 1963. p. 10. P.D.-64-11. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  10. ^ Jedlicka, Dan. "1963–64 Studebaker Avanti". Road Tests and Classic Cars. Retrieved October 4, 2013.