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Sherwood Egbert, the President of the Studebaker Corporation, retained Brooks Stevens in 1960 as a consultant on current and future automotive design and styling. The Sceptre prototype was built in metal by Sibona-Bassano of Torino, Italy. It was a 2-door, 5- place coupe and destined to be the pattern for a 4-door family sedan and an 8-passenger station wagon.
The Sceptre line became the most advanced-looking approach in the long-range program. It departed entirely from the Mercedes-like identity, which had begun with the Hawk in 1962 and perpetuated itself through 1965 in the new total sheet metal and chassis concept.
The Sceptre pioneered body lines and introduced innovations in grill and headlight treatments, bumpers, side rub rails, warning lights, hood openings, rear deck openings, and "C" pillar design. It also represented a total departure in instrument panel function and esthetics. The first approach to the astronaut couch bucket seat and bench was pioneered here, as well as upholstery treatments using mylar and vinyl combinations and a new system of cushion breathing.
The car was designed with the total concept in mind, and every detail was carried out in keeping with the overall theme. this was not to be a committee design or a mishmash of ideas borrowed from other concepts. It was the ultimate in Studebakers vain attempt to raise the money to tool all new cars, the basis of which could last for five years. Brooks Stevens referred to Sceptre as a 1966 Studebaker and still does on his company website. Today the Sceptre resides at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana. The Museum refers to the car as 1963. As with all history, there is always debate about times and places.
Source: www.automotivehistoryonline.com
Images: archive.mam.org; www.shorey.net; Alden Jewell's photostream
