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Raymond Loewy Bourke Classic Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe, 1954, USA

$19,200List Price

About the Item

An all original condition 'Loewy Coupe' Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe V8 from 1954 Robert Bourke, a designer in Studebaker's own studios, had the greatest role in penning this all-time gorgeous automobile Raymond Loewy who often gets credited for designing this coupe was at that time head of the design department of Studebaker and although not the designer of this car he played an important role to get this classic American car on the road This car was advertised as ''The American car with the European look'' This Studebaker comes from a collector who had this car for 15 years - original 1954 manual - extra bodywork parts (hood and rear fender) - extra steering column - many smaller original parts HISTORY: Credits: This well described history on Studebaker was written by Aaron Severson and taken from the website ateupwithmotor Studebaker had been in reasonably good financial shape in the late 1940s, but by early 1951, dark clouds were gathering. As had been the company’s wont since the 1920s, much of its profit was paid out in dividends, which was popular with stockholders, but did little to improve Studebaker’s aging facilities. The South Bend factory was antiquated compared to the latest Big Three plants, with adverse effects on both productivity and production cost. The outbreak of the Korean War made things worse, bringing with it new production restrictions and shortages of steel and other materials. Although Studebaker’s production volume rose dramatically in 1950 and 1951, its profit margins were already slipping. Compounding those problems, Studebaker was also struggling to correct the flaws of its brand-new V8 engine, launched for the 1951 model year. Early engines suffered serious valve-gear problems that resulted in many warranty repairs and hasty design changes. To its credit, Studebaker dealt with the problem in a thorough and conscientious fashion, but it cost them more than $4 million, reducing their 1951 profits by almost 25% and taking a serious toll on public confidence. In that climate, Bourke hadn’t expected the board would go for his show car plan, but to his surprise, they said yes. Whether Harold Vance saw the show car as a promotion for the company’s centennial or just a convenient way to generate some positive publicity, he told Loewy to go ahead. Bourke decided to develop a sleek, low-slung coupe, influenced by the latest European styling trends. He and his team began by creating a series of quarter-scale models, from which Loewy chose two: one by Bourke, the other by Holden (Bob) Koto. The RLA team then created a full-size clay, one side of which was based on Bourke’s design, the other on Koto’s. Since the team still had a lot of work to do on Studebaker’s production cars and trucks, the show car became an after-hours project, done over the course of many unpaid evenings and weekends. Loewy was in Europe during most of this time and had little involvement with the design of the clay model. Although Bourke conceived the coupe as a one-off, Harold Vance came by the studio one evening and asked him to keep a close eye on its production costs — something that mattered very little for a pure show piece. It was Bourke’s first clue that the design might become more than a concept car. When Loewy returned from Europe, Bourke told him about Vance’s visit and they worked yet more overtime to ensure that the coupe would be suitable for mass production. Loewy and Bourke showed the finished model to the board a few weeks later, along with their models for the 1953 sedans. Vance, Hoffman, and the other board members walked around the coupe without commenting, but Vance called Bourke the following morning and told him they had decided to build it as a regular 1953 model. The coupe was an expensive investment for Studebaker. It used the long-wheelbase chassis of the big Land Cruiser sedan, but its body was unique. Although it shared some styling cues with the sedans, also all new for 1953, they had no common stampings or sheet metal. The coupes also required some minor chassis modifications to ensure sufficient headroom beneath the low roofline, which was 5.5 inches (140 mm) lower than the sedan’s. The coupe was one of the lowest cars in the industry at that time, giving it a rather rakish air. The public was quite taken with what Studebaker advertising called the coupe’s “European look.” In fact, many buyers preferred it to the comparatively dumpy-looking sedans, which debuted several weeks before the coupe. Studebaker had not anticipated that — at the time, coupes seldom accounted for more than 15-20% of sales — and had not allotted enough production capacity to meet the demand for the coupes. Many frustrated customers simply walked away rather than accept a sedan. Those customers who did get their hands on the new coupe were not necessarily impressed. The big Land Cruiser frame lacked sufficient rigidity, resulting in a disconcerting amount of chassis flex over large bumps. (This weakness was partially addressed in 1954, but not enough; Bob Bourke recalled that he beefed up the frame his personal car even further before it felt adequately solid.) Assembly quality was not the best, either, and squeaks and rattles were common. Both the body and the frame also proved to be very vulnerable to rust. The coupes — inevitably christened the “Loewy coupes,” although they were primarily Bourke’s work — eventually accounted for nearly half of all 1953 Studebaker passenger car sales. However, that total was only 166,364, down more than 100,000 units from 1951. The main reason was a fierce price war between Ford and Chevrolet (and, to a lesser extent, competition between Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac) that forced Big Three dealers to cut prices to the bone. Studebaker, with its high production costs, simply could not afford to respond. Bob Bourke said they did a cost analysis on a Commander sedan and found that it cost Studebaker at least $350 more to build than GM would have spent for an identical car. The coupes, with their unique body shells, were even more expensive. Although the Loewy coupe was an aesthetic triumph, it was not a financial success.

Creator:
Studebaker (Manufacturer),Raymond Loewy (Designer)
Style:
American Craftsman (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Chrome
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1954
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. This car is in good all original vintage condition and well maintained by previous collector. Normal aging to chrome and plastic parts consistent with age and use. Full condition report upon request.
Seller Location:
bergen op zoom, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU93011195992

Shop All Raymond Loewy

Raymond Loewy

For those in the know, French-born American industrial designer Raymond Loewy is the “father of streamlining.” He is widely recognized as a pioneer of industrial design consulting — a creative powerhouse who took aim at cluttered designs and simplified them. Loewy left his mark on everything from toothbrushes to trashcans to spacecraft interiors. He designed cars, worked in illustration, and crafted comely dressers and other furniture.

Loewy was born in Paris, France. At age 15, he designed a model airplane that was powered by rubber bands. It won the James Gordon Bennett Cup of 1908. Loewy patented the model kit for this plane by the following year and saw brisk sales. With his savings, Loewy was able to study at the University of Paris and then at Ecole de Lanneau, where he earned an engineering degree in 1918.

Loewy moved to New York City in 1919 and found work as a window designer for the department stores Macy's, Wanamaker's and Saks and as a fashion illustrator for Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Loewy’s big break in industrial design came in 1929 when he altered the Gestetner duplicating machine — removing jutting parts and encasing the moving works in an understated cover. It caused a sensation within the industry — and companies began to call on him.

Loewy designed packaging for Coca-Cola and revised the look of Lucky cigarettes. The “Loewy Look,” which referred to the designer’s efforts to strip a product of any unnecessary detail and streamline its appearance, began to characterize hundreds of products.

Loewy found clients in a dizzying number of companies. He did everything from retooling logos to redesigning products. His 1934 Sears Coldspot refrigerator was a sleek innovation that broke sales records. His Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive resembled a speeding bullet and was the darling of the 1939 World’s Fair. Loewy even reworked shapes for snacks at Nabisco. By the time World War II gathered steam, Raymond Loewy Associates — the industrial design firm he founded — had been operating in a number of American cities. When Time magazine featured him on the cover in October 1949 — Loewy was not shy about publicity — his profile soared.

Loewy worked with Studebaker for decades. The success of their 1953 Starliner coupe was due to his revolutionary design, while their 1963 futuristic, fiberglass-bodied Avanti, which came with advanced safety features and materialized at a time when the company was experiencing financial hardship, was his crowning achievement for the maker.

Returning to his roots in aviation, Loewy worked for NASA from 1967 to 1973 on the interior design of the Skylab space station. He was also involved in the interior designs of the Concorde supersonic jet and Air Force One. Loewy delighted in creating furniture and collaborated with manufacturers such as Mengel Furniture, Rosenthal and Doubinsky Frères. In the 1970s, Loewy and his wife shuttered their businesses and retired in France.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Raymond Loewy cabinets, serveware, seating and more.

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Light Walnut Bed Frame by Raymond Loewy

$1,600

H 30 in W 56.5 in D 79.5 in

Raymond Loewy Inspired Green Chapter One Nightstand and Highboy Dresser

By Raymond Loewy, Broyhill

Located in Chattanooga, TN

(1) Green Chapter One Highboy (1) Green Chapter One Nightstand

Category

Vintage 1970s American Futurist Night Stands

Materials

Plastic, Hardwood

Raymond Loewy Inspired Green Chapter One Nightstand and Highboy Dresser

$6,595 / set

H 21.75 in W 27 in D 16 in

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Black Lacquered Bedside Chests, Newly Refinished

By Mengel Furniture Co., Raymond Loewy

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern four-drawer nightstands By Raymond Loewy for Mengel Furniture USA, 1950s Black lacquered oak, with original aluminum hardware. Measures: 16" W x 19" D x 31.63" H. Professionally refinished. Excellent condition. Matching chest of drawers...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Materials

Aluminum

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Black Lacquered Bedside Chests, Newly Refinished

$2,290 / set

H 31.63 in W 16 in D 19 in

Raymond Loewy Inspired Green Chapter One Nightstand by Broyhill Premier

By Raymond Loewy, Broyhill

Located in Chattanooga, TN

The body and base have been fully refinished: wood structure sanded, primed, and painted in a bright white lacquer that revives the crisp contrast so loved in the Chapter One line. The two drawer fronts are original molded plastic in dark lime green, their injection-formed curves and original texture preserved. The laminate top has been buffed to a high gloss, reflecting ambient light and amplifying the piece’s sculptural surfaces. Wear is minimal and respectful: the green plastic doors show some minor imperfections consistent with age, visible only under close inspection; the laminate top bears very light surface scuffing — again, only where someone might lean or set objects. Overall condition is very good, showing both testament to its vintage roots and clarity of restoration. This is more than a small bedside piece — it’s a design icon in microcosm. Its plastic mold fronts and chromed or gloss accents evoke the work of designers like Raymond Loewy, whose influence underpins much of Broyhill’s Chapter One line. The curves, gloss, and contrast make it ideal to pair with stark modern furnishings, mirrored or chrome accessories, or rooms that lean toward graphic color. Collectors drawn to landmark production furniture, futuristic plastic mold work, or anything in the rarified orbit of Space Age vintage will recognize this piece’s rarity: a well-restored original drawer front, clean structural form, and color contrast that still feels playful and confident. Well it’s 2025, and Broyhill’s Chapter One Collection is officially harder to find and more sought after than the Raymond Loewy orginals. With all due respect to Raymond Loewy, there really is something magical about the Chapter One line. Maybe they’re just more fun and approachable. Maybe it’s the proportions and practicality. Regardless, they’re one of our favourite collections of all time. The restoration team pulled no punches on this nightstand, and the end result exceeded our expectations. Every inch of the wood body and base was professionally sanded, primed and painted to match the original bright white. The laminate top and dark lime green molded plastic drawer fronts were finally buffed and polished to a glassy shine. It’s tough to see these go, but we know it will be loved. Broyhill’s Chapter one collection borrowed from the plastic mold injection designs made famous by legendary designer Raymond Loewy. Like Loewy, this Chapter One Green Nightstand...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Futurist Night Stands

Materials

Plastic, Hardwood

Raymond Loewy Inspired Green Chapter One Nightstand by Broyhill Premier

$2,795

H 21.75 in W 27 in D 16 in

Raymond Loewy for Mengel American Full-Size Spindle Wooden Head Footboard

By Breaad, Raymond Loewy, Mengel Furniture Co.

Located in Queens, NY

Mid-Century American (Early 1950's) full-size spindle style wooden head and footboard in a streamlined, functional style with a proprietary orange wash finish which allows the wood g...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

Raymond Loewy for Mengel American Full-Size Spindle Wooden Head Footboard

$3,800

H 30 in W 56.75 in D 1.5 in

Mengel Furniture Raymond Loewy Style Frosted Oak Nightstand with Drawer Shelf

By Mengel Furniture Co., Raymond Loewy

Located in Bainbridge, NY

Mengel Furniture Art Deco Line Blonde Oak Bedside Table with short legs. Featuring a rectangular Blonde Oak form with top drawer, wood and brass knob with Mengel M, cubbies, and adju...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Mengel Furniture Raymond Loewy Style Frosted Oak Nightstand with Drawer Shelf

$1,000

H 28.75 in W 16 in D 14 in

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Single-Size Spindle Style Wooden Head Footboard

By Raymond Loewy

Located in Queens, NY

Mid-Century American (circa early 1950s) single-size spindle style wooden head and footboard with extending shelf in a streamlined, functional style with a proprietary orange wash fi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Single-Size Spindle Style Wooden Head Footboard

$2,800

H 10.75 in W 41.5 in D 1.5 in

1960’s Mid Century Modern Raymond Loewy for Hill Rom Nightstands or End Tables

By Raymond Loewy

Located in Topeka, KS

Marvelous vintage Mid-Century Modern Raymond Loewy for Hill Rom nightstands, end tables, or cabinets on casters, a pair. Comprised of alumin...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

1960’s Mid Century Modern Raymond Loewy for Hill Rom Nightstands or End Tables

$5,995 / set

H 29.25 in W 20.25 in D 17.25 in

Pair French Miniature Portraits Of Commander Jean-baptiste Raymond De Lacrosse

Located in Bilzen, BE

A Pair of Napoleonic Portrait Miniatures Commander of Jean-Baptiste Raymond de Lacrosse Jean-Baptiste Raymond de Lacrosse (1760-1829) Career Joined the French Navy in the 1780sPartic...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Empire Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Wood

Pair French Miniature Portraits Of Commander Jean-baptiste Raymond De Lacrosse

$1,141 / set

H 5.79 in W 4.85 in D 0.6 in

Style of Raymond Loewy Mid-Century Modern Iron and Wood Magazine Rack

By Paul McCobb

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Rare, modernist form in the style of Raymond Loewy to hold reading material. Iron base in the shape of grasshopper legs. Cerused Oak panels. Very cool piece. In original vintage con...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Iron

Style of Raymond Loewy Mid-Century Modern Iron and Wood Magazine Rack

$795

H 11.25 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in

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Pair of Willy Guhl Loop Garden Chairs Eternit Switzerland 1954

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Located in bergen op zoom, NL

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Daybed Arielle by Dick Cordemeijer for Auping 1954, New Upholstery

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Located in bergen op zoom, NL

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Daybed Arielle by Dick Cordemeijer for Auping 1954, New Upholstery

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4 Wim Rietveld nr.1401 easy chair for Gispen, The Netherlands 1954

By Gispen, Wim Rietveld

Located in bergen op zoom, NL

Wim Rietveld (son of Gerrit Rietveld) started his career as an industrial designer at Gispen early 1950's The 1401 easy chair he designed in 1954 and has become a Dutch Design Cla...

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$3,200 Sale Price / set

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Pair of Raoul Guys Antony , Chairs Designed for Cite University, Paris , 1954

By Raoul Guys

Located in bergen op zoom, NL

Rare and important pair of Raoul Guys 'Antony' chairs designed in 1954 for the world famous 'Cite' university's 'Jean Zay / Antony' residence 'in Paris . This stunning design was produced concurrently by 'Airborne' in France and 'Trefac' in Belgium (on official license) ' Beautiful sculptural form design with enameled steel rod frame and thermoformed plywood seat and backrests .both chairs are finished in their original faux leather fabric. A rare opportunity to acquire a pair complete with original upholstery, We can recover the chairs should we receive a request to do so. This pair were produced by 'Trefac' in Belgium , we found a 'Trefac' manufacturer's catalog dated 1957 which illustrates this model (please see image 6). 'Trefac' produced these chairs for the Belgian market under license from 'Airborne',France. The 'Jean Zay/ Antony' university residence was designed by the French architect Eugene Beaudoin and built in 1954. The interior furniture and lighting for the “Antony” residence was designed by the most influential of the group of “new” French designers , key figures such as Jean Prouve , Charlotte Perriand and Serge Mouille . Several of the chairs chosen for the ”Antony” building in Paris were designed by Raoul Guys including this design and his famous sculptural form wicker and steel lounge chair, please refer to images 2 and 3. These chairs were commissioned by the French government ,through the guidance of master French Sculptor and archtect , Andre Bloc, who greatly admired Guys' sculptural yet practical designs. Bloc was also involved in selecting furniture for the 'Cite' university's 'Maison Bresil' and 'Maison Mexique' university buildings in 1953 again furnished with designs by Jean Prouve , Charlotte Perriand and Serge Mouille among others. Bloc also advised 'Air France' to select Guys' 'oro' series of designs finished in bent steel and wicker for use in their 48 airports across the African continent ,they were famously used in the 'Brazzaville' complex of hotels and the Hotel N'Gor in Dakar again alongside furniture designed by Jean Prouve and Charlotte Perriand again selected by Andre Bloc. Please refer to the the last two images where you can see our collection of chairs that Raoul Guys designed for the 'Anthony' building in Paris and Air France's 'Brazzaville' complex and HotelT N'Gor in Dakar . Charles Bernard founded his company 'Airborne' in order to bring modern design to the population of France. Bernard asked his close friend and famous sculptor and architect Andre Bloc to seek out talented young designers who could produce furniture with an artistic or sculptural quality. Bloc was already working in this field with the “group espace” who saw art and sculpture as a social phenomena and aimed to bring art into the everyday living experience . For example it was Bloc who commissioned Charlotte Perriand to produce the famous 'Mexico' and 'Tunisie' bookcases for the Cité Internationale Universitaire , Paris for which Bloc also produced the colour scheme and he also worked closely with the Steph Simon gallery in Paris famous for showcasing the work of Prouve,Perriand and Noguchi among others. . Bloc had at this time recently come across a young designer Raoul Guys who’s work he greatly admired and which offered a sculptural quality to furniture design and asked him if he would like to collaborate with Airborne . In the book “les decorateurs des Annees 50” by Patrick Favardin it mentions that Andre Bloc presented Raoul Guys as a very interesting creator. Guy’s chairs had a suprising and sculptural quality in the free spirit of the after war period. LITERATURE: 'Airborne i945-75' ,page 35...

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Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs

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Pair of Raoul Guys Antony , Chairs Designed for Cite University, Paris , 1954

$6,400 Sale Price / set

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Located in bergen op zoom, NL

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$2,500

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Located in bergen op zoom, NL

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