Avanti Complaints!

[mfg]

From a survey done by the Studebaker Corporation in 1963, one objection made by prospective Avanti purchasers was................?

1) Color choices.........2) Fiberglass body maintenance........3)Low fuel mileage.......or......4) Front end of car too plain

[studegary]

35 minutes ago, mfg said:

From a survey done by the Studebaker Corporation in 1963, one objection made by prospective Avanti purchasers was................?

1) Color choices.........2) Fiberglass body maintenance........3)Low fuel mileage.......or......4) Front end of car too plain

4) front end of car too plain

[mfg]

23 hours ago, studegary said:

4) front end of car too plain

That's the one!.....kind of hard to believe though, isn't it?

[studegary]

3 hours ago, mfg said:

That's the one!.....kind of hard to believe though, isn't it?

Not hard to believe in the context of the time, when "signature" grilles were the norm on American cars.

[scottgriggs]

The first thought I had was that this was a plausible reason for the change to square headlights.

[Gunslinger]

Americans were used to tons of chrome on cars...grilles, trim, etc.  A clean front end such as the Avanti would look plain to those used to so much chrome...or as it's referred to today..."brightwork".  The Avanti front end is one of it signature design features and was a design breath of fresh air.  The lack of style gee-gaws is a big point in the Avanti's favor...and was even more so when Avanti Motors dropped the sail panel and hood ornamentation.  It makes for a very clean design.  Raymond Loewy and his team could be justly proud of their design.

[mfg]

7 hours ago, Gunslinger said:

Americans were used to tons of chrome on cars...grilles, trim, etc.  A clean front end such as the Avanti would look plain to those used to so much chrome...or as it's referred to today..."brightwork".  The Avanti front end is one of it signature design features and was a design breath of fresh air.  The lack of style gee-gaws is a big point in the Avanti's favor...and was even more so when Avanti Motors dropped the sail panel and hood ornamentation.  It makes for a very clean design.  Raymond Loewy and his team could be justly proud of their design.

Well said!