America’s fastest production car in 1962 was also its shortest-lived halo — built in 40 days, abandoned in 18 months.
The Studebaker Avanti is a personal luxury coupe manufactured by Studebaker Corporation between June 1962 and December 1963. Designed by Raymond Loewy's team under Sherwood Egbert's direction, it was built as a halo car and marketed as America's only four-passenger high-performance personal car. It featured a radical fiberglass body mounted on a modified Studebaker Lark chassis and powered by a modified 289 Hawk V8 engine. It introduced front disc brakes — the first American production model to offer them — and a bottom-breather air intake. Called the fastest production car in the world upon introduction, it broke 29 world speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Only 1,200 units were built in 1962 despite a goal of 20,000. Production ended in December 1963, though licensed derivatives continued until 2006.
Sherwood Egbert sketched the idea on an airplane envelope — then commissioned Raymond Loewy’s team to build it in 40 days.
2:17
Four Seats, One Claim
It was a personal luxury coupe — and the only four-passenger high-performance car marketed in America at launch.
3:25
Fastest, Then Faster
It was called the fastest production car in the world and broke 29 speed records at Bonneville.
4:52
Radical Body, Familiar Bones
Its fiberglass body sat on a modified Studebaker Lark chassis — a pragmatic foundation for radical styling.
6:09
Brakes and Breathing
It introduced front disc brakes — the first American production car to offer them — and used a bottom-breather air intake.
7:44
Halo Without Heft
Only 1,200 were built in 1962 — one-twentieth of the target — before Studebaker ended production in December 1963.
Worth your time?
Yes. Drive the whole thing.
3.5/ 5
What works
synthesis of urgency and elegance
halo car built in 40 days
delivered front disc brakes and Bonneville speed records
What does not
meet production target
survive as a Studebaker product beyond December 1963
Drive it if
people who value audacious industrial timing and symbolic engineering
collectors seeking volume, longevity or factory-backed support
Skip it if
collectors seeking volume, longevity or factory-backed support
The written brief1 min read
What the car is and where it came from
A personal luxury coupe manufactured by Studebaker Corporation between June 1962 and December 1963. Designed by Raymond Loewy’s team under Sherwood Egbert’s direction. Built as a halo car and marketed as America’s only four-passenger high-performance personal car.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It uses a modified Studebaker Lark chassis with a radical fiberglass body. Power comes from a modified 289 Hawk V8 engine. Front disc brakes — the first on any American production car — deliver stopping force directly to the wheels. The bottom-breather air intake draws cool air from under the front bumper.
What it gets right
It gets right the synthesis of urgency and elegance: a crash-designed, envelope-sketch-led machine that delivered front disc brakes, Bonneville speed records, and a claim to being the fastest production car in the world at launch.
What it does not
It does not meet its production target: only 1,200 units were built in 1962 against a goal of 20,000. It does not survive as a Studebaker product beyond December 1963.
What it changed
It changed expectations for American personal cars by proving high-speed performance and advanced braking could be packaged in a four-seat coupe. It proved a halo car could be built in 40 days and still break world records.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for people who value audacious industrial timing and symbolic engineering over continuity or scale. It is not for collectors seeking volume, longevity or factory-backed support — Studebaker abandoned it after 18 months.
Is it worth your time
Yes, if you care about how speed, safety and styling collided in 1962 America. No, if you need documentation of driving feel, durability or real-world usability — none is provided in the source material.