Avanti only makes something like 150 cars a year or less. I suppose there's a network of enthusiasts who like that crazy alien front end thing. Otherwise they wouldn't be made.

 

Noted industrial designer Raymond Loewy designed this car for Studebaker in the 60s, I think. Loewy designed, among other things, the paint scheme for Air Force One. This car was considered a real groundbreaker when it was released.

I like the look, myself, but to each his own. I don't think the 80K price sits too well considering the materials from which it is currently made, but it does look like it sits on a F-Body frame from the specs.

Original Studebaker Avantis are real collector's items today, as are many things Loewy designed. I have a Zenith "Golden Triangle" radio he designed in my house. It is a three sided, flat topped clock radio (and is golden colored) and spins on a three-legged pedestal. It sits about 14 inches tall. It's pretty cool.

 

I would say Loewy was the most versatile Industrial designer ever. In my opinion he was the best ever.

Homes, interiors, office equipment, trains, radios, refrigerators, logos, greyhound busses, cars, and the interior of Skylab.

He also knew talent when he saw it, and had at Studebaker a veritable "murderers row" of the best designers in his South Bend Studebaker operation. Bob Bourke, Holden Koto, **** Caleal, Virgil Exner, Gordon Buehrig. All in one studio at the same time. Totally amazing.

Quick, that is cool you have one of his radios, very cool. I am also a very big fan of 30's and 40's Moderne (AKA Art Deco) objects and design.


I like gen one Avantis tho, especially the interiors. I like the AvantiII ok, but I would put the 63-64 front fenders on one if I got one, and the round headlight front.

I like the new AVX style Avantis OK too, they deal with the trouble areas of the 4th gens looks very effectively. Tom Kelogg designed the AVX style new Avanti. He is the only living member of the original four guys that did the first Avanti with Loewy in the Palm Springs skunkworks studio.

Yes Avantis are now based on new and used 4th gens. They have no deal with GM at all. In the past tho in the Newman and Altman Avanti years, there was a deal with GM for powertrains and dealer servicing was done at any GM dealer.



On the same subject of design gods, Harley Earl is also one of my idols. My great Uncle worked at GM Art & Colour for Misterl in the 20's, 30's and 40's and I know a lot about him as well. I even have a 1964 Clark Forklift that was one of the last of Harleys works. It's most notable feature are the Chrome jet air intakes. Very AstroStrato, very cool.

I think Misterl is rolling in his grave over those Buick ads. No way he would have designed anything remotely like the frickin cousin of Aztek. No Frickin Way. He hated straight lines.

Way to pimp and taint another name from the past GM.