Raymond Loewy was the industrial designer Studebaker employed to create their sporty Avanti model. At the time it was the last ditch effort of a failing company to stay relevant in an automotive market that had already passed them by.

Loewy's personal Avanti—equipped with an R2 supercharged 289-cu.in. V-8 and custom fender badges for the designer—will be offered as part of the Los Angeles Modern Auctions sale on December 11. Pre auction estimates have the Avanti selling between $60,000-$80,000.

The car last changed hands at auction in 1986 following the designer's death.

[Hemmings]