[beaver fever]

My understanding is that GM stopped production of Fisher bodied Studebakers in 1964, maybe they needed to increase capacity and Studebacker was a drag on production.

But Fisher was a design studio as well as a production facility. I think the Avanti scared the GM bureaucrats

I still remember the step-plate on my dad's 53 Studebacker Commander and my own 64 Chevy II; Body by Fisher.
The Avanti was way ahead of it's time even for the Italians.

[Spktyr]

The Avanti was designed by an American, Raymond Loewy. He designed many of the classic Studebakers, many Streamliner trains, and the classic Coca-Cola bottle.

Until very recently, Jaguar sedan bodies and body parts were stamped out by Pressed Steel Fisher in the UK. Yup, same company (initially).

Fischer was originally a coachworks that designed and built their own bodies, but by the 80s, it was just a name for cars churned out by the GM design studios, and the bodywork was made at GM suppliers. GM bought the company in the early 60s. In 1964-65, they sold off the production facilities. PSF-UK was merged with BMC/British Leyland in 1965 and thus was taken out of the GM orbit.

[mugs99]

My understanding is that GM stopped production of Fisher bodied Studebakers in 1964, maybe they needed to increase capacity and Studebacker was a drag on production.

That may have been a factor, but I think Studebaker's financial problems were the main cause. Studebaker did their own designs and engineering and could have used another stamping plant.

Studebaker paid the highest wages and benefits in the industry, and their production costs were just too high to allow them to be competitive. They are the only automaker who never had a workers strike.

I still remember the step-plate on my dad's 53 Studebacker Commander

Many, including myself, consider the 1953 Studebaker the most beautiful car ever made!
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