The Avanti’s story is as unique as the design that came out of Raymond Loewy’s studio in Palm Springs, Calif. nearly 50 years ago. Here are some tidbits: Celebrity Owners The Studebaker Avanti was a favorite with the rich and famous. Owners included Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Ricky Nelson, Rod Serling, Sandy Koufax and Dick [...]
Posts under ‘Auto Mythbusters’
When “Small” Was a Two-Ton Word
My mother was unimpressed with her first ride in a Cadillac. It was a 1977 Seville, and the car belonged to her friend and co-worker. More accurately, it was the woman’s husband’s “baby.” He’d always wanted a Cadillac, and he was one of many that were smitten by the first-gen Seville’s svelte styling. But my [...]
Busting Romney’s Packard Myth
While writing a speech for Mike Kunz, manager of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, Calif., I unintentionally stirred up an old Packard controversy. You don’t hear those two words come together too often, now do you? And no, it had nothing to do with Mercedes-Benz getting its big break in the U.S. market when [...]
