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| Andy Granatelli sold
his supercharger business to
Studebaker, which owned half of
a company named Chemical Compounds. He took over as head of
the firm, changed its name to STP, and hiked sales from $1.9
million per year to $100 million in nine years. He dressed himself
and crew in uniforms covered with STP decals. It quickly became
one of the best known trademarks in advertising history. Sherwood
Egbert assigned Granatelli the task of putting the Avanti
through its paces. Granatelli set two major American class C
records: a two-way flying mile record of 168.15 mph, and a standing
start mile record of 92.03 mph. Two new engines, developed through
the efforts of the Granatelli brothers, were known as the R3
and the R4. Buoyed by these new engines,
Studebaker tried for performance records
in the summer and fall of 1963. To add some excitement, the
Granatellis put together a mind-boggling R5 Avanti, known as
the "Due Cento," equipped with twin superchargers. |
Mobil publicity photo showing Andy Granatelli's
Avanti fueling up for its record breaking performance.
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Andy Granatelli and crew with the Unser
Studebaker. Granatelli had the STP logo prominantly displayed
everywhere including the jumpsuit uniforms. He made it one of
the best know advertising icons of all time. |
Andy Granatelli, behind cockpit in suit,
and his brothers, Vince, left in STP uniform, and Joe, right
in STP uniform, help Johnny Carson get comfortable in the STP
Turbine in 1967 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Driver Parnelli
Jones is behind them in a white firesuit. |
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