Chrysler Thunderbolt, "It's the "hit" of the New York Show," 1940-1941

THF223319 / Chrysler Thunderbolt, "It's the "hit" of the New York Show," 1940-1941
01

Artifact Overview

Designer Alex Tremulis created the Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car during his time with coachbuilder Briggs Manufacturing Company. The distinctive Thunderbolt featured hidden headlights, a powered retractable hardtop, pushbutton door handles, and pontoon fenders that wrapped completely around the car -- including all four wheels. Five Thunderbolts were built. Chrysler toured them around the country, drawing excited crowds at every stop.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic postcard

Date Made

1940-1941

Collection Title

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2012.64.446

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Donated by the Family of George C. Devol.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.5 in
Width: 5.5 in

02

Related Content

  • 1953 Ford X-100 Concept Car
    Set

    Concept Cars

    • 16 Artifacts
    Ford Motor Company celebrated its 50th anniversary with the X-100, a fully functional concept car billed as a "laboratory on wheels." The X-100 featured more than 50 innovative ideas. Some of them, like the heated seats and the telephone, eventually became commonplace. Others, like the variable-volume horn and the in-car electric shaver, never quite caught on with the public.