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| Styling-wise the Studebaker
Avanti has no competition. The only car that even comes close
is the 1961-1974 Jaguar XK-E. The Jaguar E-type 2+2 is probably
more like the Avanti in overall concept but suffers somewhat
from stretching the original 2-passenger design to accommodate
four passengers (which it does not do very well). In spite of
superficial similarities, the Studebaker
Avanti and the Chevrolet Corvette are like two different species.
The muscular and rugged Corvette has its own unique charms,
but has none of the sleek and futuristic élan of the
4-passenger Avanti (or the Jaguar XK-E). Sport luxury cars like
the Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado,
and Ford Thunderbird lack the Avanti's timeless styling
and speed record credentials. Detroit's "pony" cars, like the
Ford Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet
Camaro, and Pontiac Firebird, are worthy design offspring
of the Avanti, but all seem rather conventional next to the
Palm Springs designed Avanti.
The Mustang, of course, has its own unique legacy combining
elegance, sportiness, and economy, and the Toranado still ranks
as one of the best sporty designs of the sixties. Finally, there
are other superior designs such as the BMW
507 and the Lamborghini 350 GT
which are in a class quite different from the thoroughly American
Studebaker Avanti |
Unsurpassed simplicity gives the Avanti
an eager and elegant look. |
Biggest difference from behind is the
size of the rear windows. |
The Jaguar E-type 2+2, which was added
to the XK-E line in the mid-sixties, is probably the model from
the period that is most like the Avanti in concept, price, and
style. |
The Jaguar E-type or XK-E was manufactured
by Jaguar between 1961 and 1974. The Jaguar XK-E was designed
by Malcolm Sayer. |
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