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]
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