Studebaker Avanti R2 Supercharged
The Studebaker Avanti is one of the most remarkable cars in American history — a bold, futuristic GT designed by legendary industrial designer Raymond Loewy (who also designed the Lucky Strike package, the Coca-Cola bottle, Air Force One livery, and the Shell logo) in just 40 days.
Studebaker president Sherwood Egbert commissioned the Avanti as a halo car to revitalize the struggling company. Loewy assembled a team of four designers and sequestered them in a rented house in Palm Springs, California, where they created the Avanti's radical design in an intense 40-day sprint. The result was a sleek, European-influenced GT unlike anything in the American market.
The Avanti was technically advanced for 1962. It featured one of the first applications of front disc brakes on an American car (Bendix aviation-derived), a fiberglass body (like the Corvette), and a supercharged version of Studebaker's 289 V8 that set 29 speed records at Bonneville Salt Flats, including a flying mile at 170.78 mph.
Despite critical acclaim, the Avanti's fiberglass body caused production delays, and Studebaker was too financially weak to survive. The company closed its South Bend factory in 1963 and ceased all car production in 1966.
But the Avanti refused to die. Two Studebaker dealers, Nate Altman and Leo Newman, purchased the rights and tooling, and began producing the 'Avanti II' in 1965. Remarkably, various manufacturers continued producing updated Avantis for decades — the last 'New Avanti' rolled off the line in 2006, making the Avanti design one of the longest-lived in American automotive history.
Studebaker Avantis are distinctive and increasingly collectible. The fiberglass body doesn't rust but can crack and develop stress fractures around mounting points. The steel frame and substructure CAN rust — inspect carefully. The R2 (supercharged) is worth 2-3x the R1 (naturally aspirated). Check for correct Paxton supercharger (many R2s have had superchargers removed). Disc brakes are a selling point. Distinguish original Studebaker Avantis (1962-63) from later Avanti II production. Parts availability is good through Studebaker specialists.
Studebaker Avanti production: 4,643 units (1962-1963). R1 (naturally aspirated 240 hp): ~3,834. R2 (supercharged 289 hp): ~809. R3 and R4 prototypes existed with up to 335+ hp. Post-Studebaker production continued as Avanti II (1965-1985), Avanti (1986-1991), and New Avanti (2001-2006), totaling approximately 6,000 additional units. The original Studebaker Avantis are the most valuable.