What was new and popular when you were driving a brand new 1963 Studebaker Avanti? Explore the Avanti Time Capsule to find some of the answers. The Studebaker Avanti era began in the spring of 1962 and continued into 1964. The Avanti's introduction in the summer of 1962 foreshadowed an exciting 1963 model year for sports luxury vehicles. In addition to Studebaker's startling Avanti, Buick announced its glamorous Riviera, General Motor's Chevrolet division unveiled an all new Corvette Stingray, Jaguar announced the sleek X-KE Roadster, and Ford continued its highly successful Thunderbird.
The period began with the prosperity and optimism of an emerging youth culture and ended with the assassination of JFK in Dallas. John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth at the same time the Avanti was being test driven by the automotive press. On TV the Outer Limits competed with the Twilight Zone to produce daringly original programming. Mister Ed won a Golden Globe award for Best TV Comedy Show of 1962; both the Avanti and other Studebaker models appeared on the show. Michael Landon who played Little Joe in the Bonanza series would later own a 1988 Avanti. Peter, Paul, and Mary launched their musical careers almost at the same time the Avanti awed attendees at the 1962 New York International Auto Show. The 1963 World Series Most Valuable Player Award went to Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Sandy Koufax, who drove an Avanti.
