Aurora: Ford’s Experimental "Luxury Lounge"
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Introduced in March 1964 as a “rolling laboratory of new ideas in styling and engineering,” the Ford Aurora concept car featured a unique lighting system, special seating arrangement, clamshell tailgate, and electric door locks. While on display at the New York World’s Fair, the Aurora caught the attention of producers for “2001: A Space Odyssey,” who considered, but ultimately rejected, using the car in the now-iconic science fiction film.
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Ford Aurora Brochure, 1964
Ford debuted its Aurora concept car at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The futuristic station wagon featured illuminated panels along its body sides; a polarizing sunroof that changed from transparent to opaque with the push of a button; and, instead of a conventional steering wheel, a powered steering bar that required just one half turn from lock to lock.
View ArtifactGene Bordinat's Speech for the Introduction of Ford Aurora Concept Car, March 31, 1964
Gene Bordinat, Ford's Vice President and Director of Styling, introduced the Aurora concept car at the 1964 New York World's Fair. He described the station wagon as "a rolling laboratory of new ideas in styling and engineering." While Bordinat admitted that many of Aurora's features were a long way from production, he celebrated the opportunity "to let the imagination roam free."
View ArtifactExterior, Ford Aurora Concept Car, March 31, 1964
Ford debuted its Aurora concept car at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The futuristic station wagon featured illuminated panels along its body sides; a polarizing sunroof that changed from transparent to opaque with the push of a button; and, instead of a conventional steering wheel, a powered steering bar that required just one half turn from lock to lock.
View ArtifactInterior, Ford Aurora Concept Car, March 31, 1964
Ford Motor Company introduced its Aurora concept car at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The station wagon's futuristic features included an interior "communications console" that could operate an AM/FM radio, a television set, and a sound-recording device. The Aurora also contained a table with a cabinet for storing ice and beverages.
View ArtifactFront Exterior, Ford Aurora Concept Car, March 31, 1964
Ford Motor Company introduced its Aurora concept car at the 1964 New York World's Fair. In place of conventional headlights, the futuristic station wagon used a bank of 12 one-inch sealed-beam units. These lights could be adjusted to several levels of brightness between their dimmest and brightest settings.
View ArtifactRear Exterior, Ford Aurora Concept Car, March 31, 1964
Ford Motor Company introduced the Aurora concept car at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Ford stylists designed the futuristic station wagon with young families in mind. Its clamshell tailgate opened wide for easy access into the rear "children's compartment." This area could be closed off from the rest of the wagon with a soundproof glass partition.
View ArtifactFord Aurora on Display at New York World's Fair Product Salon, 1964
Ford debuted its Aurora concept car at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The futuristic station wagon featured illuminated panels along its body sides; a polarizing sunroof that changed from transparent to opaque with the push of a button; and, instead of a conventional steering wheel, a powered steering bar that required just one half turn from lock to lock.
View ArtifactCorrespondence between John Breeden, Jr. and Roger A. Caras regarding Ford Aurora in "2001: Space Odyssey," December 1965
In 1965, Polaris Productions contacted Ford Motor Company about using the automaker's Aurora concept car in the forthcoming Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Ford agreed to loan the futuristic station wagon. In the end, the production team chose not to use the Aurora, believing that the car didn't fit with the film's overall design aesthetic.
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