Saw this in the March 1963 Car Life and thought it was interesting. I was playing with a new voice recognition dictation app on the iPhone, so I dictated it from the magazine and am posting it here:
The Studebaker Corporation's recent decision to build its own
fiberglass Avanti body reflects the manufacturer's interest in
creating and preserving quality in its image car, the Avanti.
Consumer demand, of course, is another reason for the South Bend, Indiana assembly line. Molded Fiber Glass Body Co. of Ashtabula Ohio, produces both panels and finished bodies for the Avanti, but can't make enough of the latter to meet Studebaker's doubled production goal. MFG also makes the panels (but doesn't assemble them) for the Corvette.
The original production goal of 7000 bodies per year was an ambitious one for MFG's limited facilities and it has been no secret that Avanti production hasn't come along as expected. So, when Studebaker decided it needed more bodies, there was only one way to go -- and Studebaker got into the fiberglass body assembly business. MFG will continue production of both panels and completed bodies; Studebaker will assemble more bodies from MFG-produced panels.
It's obvious that Studebaker has great hopes for the Avanti. The Corporation doesn't stand to make a lot of money on any car that sells only 15,000 units a year, but Studebaker seems determined to make this its quality car with body fits suit the label. It must feel the reputation and image are worth taking on the body production headaches!
Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131
GOD BLESS AMERICA
The Studebaker Corporation's recent decision to build its own
fiberglass Avanti body reflects the manufacturer's interest in
creating and preserving quality in its image car, the Avanti.
Consumer demand, of course, is another reason for the South Bend, Indiana assembly line. Molded Fiber Glass Body Co. of Ashtabula Ohio, produces both panels and finished bodies for the Avanti, but can't make enough of the latter to meet Studebaker's doubled production goal. MFG also makes the panels (but doesn't assemble them) for the Corvette.
The original production goal of 7000 bodies per year was an ambitious one for MFG's limited facilities and it has been no secret that Avanti production hasn't come along as expected. So, when Studebaker decided it needed more bodies, there was only one way to go -- and Studebaker got into the fiberglass body assembly business. MFG will continue production of both panels and completed bodies; Studebaker will assemble more bodies from MFG-produced panels.
It's obvious that Studebaker has great hopes for the Avanti. The Corporation doesn't stand to make a lot of money on any car that sells only 15,000 units a year, but Studebaker seems determined to make this its quality car with body fits suit the label. It must feel the reputation and image are worth taking on the body production headaches!
Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Comment