The Pontiac Club de Mer prototype was inspired by land speed record cars. Head of design Harley Earl – and studio leader Paul Gillian – were given the styling brief. It went without saying that …
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GM Firebird XP-21
GM’s mythical Motorama show spawned many an unusual exhibit. An orgy of automotive exoticism, visitors expected the radical and bizarre. Though whether any of them were prepared for what was served up to them in …
Continue readingOldsmobile Golden Rocket
In the mid-Fifties, Oldsmobile’s image looked decidedly dowdy. The Golden Rocket would fix that. As a ‘dream car’ concept, it was never destined for the open road. Its purpose was to fire up Oldsmobile’s creative …
Continue readingChrysler Turboflite
The Turboflite had radical written all over it. Chrysler’s goal was to put a gas-turbine-powered car in the showrooms of America. Certainly, the system had been seen before – in land speed record cars! Chrysler …
Continue readingFord Mustang 1
Lee Iacocca is an automotive legend! As soon as he set eyes on the Ford Mustang 1 prototype, he knew it could become an American icon. That was at Watkins Glen racetrack – in October …
Continue readingDodge Firearrow
The Dodge Firearrow was an American-Italian collaboration. Coachbuilders Carrozzeria Ghia – based in Turin – finessed the fine details. Their craftsmanship was second to none. Resplendent in red – and sporting a polished metal belt-line …
Continue readingChrysler K-310
The K-310 was a Chrysler/Ghia collaboration. It was facilitated by Fiat. The firm had approached Chrysler – with a view to the American giant helping streamline its manufacturing process. Chrysler immediately spotted a symbiotic relationship. …
Continue readingChrysler Thunderbolt
The Chrysler Thunderbolt was named after the land speed record car, driven by Captain George Eyston. That mission had been accomplished at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah – in ’38. The 2-seat roadster Thunderbolt sported an …
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