Photograph Album, "White Paper to Wheels, Construction of the Vega Warrior Automobile," 1967-1969

THF299244 / Photograph Album, "White Paper to Wheels, Construction of the Vega Warrior Automobile," 1967-1969 / front cover
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Artifact Overview

Automotive designer McKinley Thompson envisioned a rugged, easy-to-build automobile that could be manufactured and sold in developing countries. He built a working prototype on a Renault 10 chassis and gave it a buoyant plastic body and removable top. Thompson named his car the Warrior. Despite his efforts, Thompson was unable to interest automakers or investors in his idea.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photograph album

Subject Date

1967-1969

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2004.40.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Wally Triplett.

Material

Card stock
Cardboard
Glue
Leather
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process
Mounting

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 13.5 undefined
Width: 14.75 undefined

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    Artifact

    1974 Warrior Concept Car

    When McKinley Thompson, Jr., joined Ford Motor Company in 1956, he was one of the automotive industry's first African American designers. In 1974 he completed a rugged, easy-to-build vehicle designed for developing countries: the Warrior. Thompson's prototype, built on a Renault 10 chassis, featured a buoyant plastic body and a removable top. Thompson couldn't interest automakers or investors in his bold idea.