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- Designers with Full Size Fiberglass Model of 1958 Lincoln Convertible - Lincoln automobiles were completely redesigned for the 1958 model year. Distinctive features included slanted headlights, sweeping bumpers, and wraparound front windshields. The cars were also distinguished by their massive size -- 19 feet long by 6.5 feet wide. This photograph shows designers with a full-size fiberglass model of a 1958 Lincoln convertible.
- 1957
- Collections - Artifact
Designers with Full Size Fiberglass Model of 1958 Lincoln Convertible
Lincoln automobiles were completely redesigned for the 1958 model year. Distinctive features included slanted headlights, sweeping bumpers, and wraparound front windshields. The cars were also distinguished by their massive size -- 19 feet long by 6.5 feet wide. This photograph shows designers with a full-size fiberglass model of a 1958 Lincoln convertible.
- 1962 Budd XR-400 Concept Car - The Budd Company approached American Motors Corporation in 1962 with this concept car, which placed a sporty body and a powerful V-8 on an inexpensive Rambler Ambassador chassis. Fearing it would fail, AMC decided against putting the car into production. Two years later, Ford's Mustang became a massive hit using the same idea of a sporty body on an existing chassis.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
1962 Budd XR-400 Concept Car
The Budd Company approached American Motors Corporation in 1962 with this concept car, which placed a sporty body and a powerful V-8 on an inexpensive Rambler Ambassador chassis. Fearing it would fail, AMC decided against putting the car into production. Two years later, Ford's Mustang became a massive hit using the same idea of a sporty body on an existing chassis.
- 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible - To customers, Thunderbird was a "personal car" that combined a sporty feel with the comfortable appointments of a prestige model. To Ford, Thunderbird was a "halo car" that attracted customers to showrooms. It sold well with buyers who enjoyed the pure fun of driving. Some of that fun was traded for practicality when Thunderbird grew to four seats for 1958.
- 1956
- Collections - Artifact
1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
To customers, Thunderbird was a "personal car" that combined a sporty feel with the comfortable appointments of a prestige model. To Ford, Thunderbird was a "halo car" that attracted customers to showrooms. It sold well with buyers who enjoyed the pure fun of driving. Some of that fun was traded for practicality when Thunderbird grew to four seats for 1958.
- "An Elegant New Convertible by Jaguar," - Jaguar produced this 1953 catalog highlighting their elegant new convertible. The voluptuous 1953 British roadster, the Jaguar XK120, inspired General Motors designers who created the American classic, Corvette.
- 1953-1954
- Collections - Artifact
"An Elegant New Convertible by Jaguar,"
Jaguar produced this 1953 catalog highlighting their elegant new convertible. The voluptuous 1953 British roadster, the Jaguar XK120, inspired General Motors designers who created the American classic, Corvette.
- 1972 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Used by Ronald Reagan - President Ronald Reagan was getting into this car when he was shot by John Hinckley on March 30, 1981. The car carried Reagan to the hospital. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and George H.W. Bush also used this car. In 1982 the front sheet metal was updated, but since a 1982 grille no longer fit properly on the 1972 body, a 1979 grille was used.
- 1974-1987
- Collections - Artifact
1972 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Used by Ronald Reagan
President Ronald Reagan was getting into this car when he was shot by John Hinckley on March 30, 1981. The car carried Reagan to the hospital. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and George H.W. Bush also used this car. In 1982 the front sheet metal was updated, but since a 1982 grille no longer fit properly on the 1972 body, a 1979 grille was used.
- 1939 Packard V-12 Convertible Victoria - Packard's 12-cylinder cars, introduced in 1932, were some of the finest luxury automobiles ever built in the United States. The new V-12 was Packard's counterpunch to V-16 and V-12 engines from Cadillac and Lincoln, as competition was fierce among high-end carmakers during the Great Depression. The magnificent Packard Twelves were everything but profitable, and the company canceled the line in 1939.
- 1939
- Collections - Artifact
1939 Packard V-12 Convertible Victoria
Packard's 12-cylinder cars, introduced in 1932, were some of the finest luxury automobiles ever built in the United States. The new V-12 was Packard's counterpunch to V-16 and V-12 engines from Cadillac and Lincoln, as competition was fierce among high-end carmakers during the Great Depression. The magnificent Packard Twelves were everything but profitable, and the company canceled the line in 1939.
- 1953 Ford X-100 Concept Car - 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.
- 1953
- Collections - Artifact
1953 Ford X-100 Concept Car
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.
- 2002 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop - After discontinuing the Thunderbird in 1997, Ford Motor Company revived the storied model for 2002. The new Thunderbird's retro design went back to the two-seat layout and porthole windows of the mid-1950s, but with up-to-date comforts and conveniences. The rebirth was short-lived. Initial strong sales trailed off, and the Thunderbird disappeared again in 2005.
- 2002
- Collections - Artifact
2002 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop
After discontinuing the Thunderbird in 1997, Ford Motor Company revived the storied model for 2002. The new Thunderbird's retro design went back to the two-seat layout and porthole windows of the mid-1950s, but with up-to-date comforts and conveniences. The rebirth was short-lived. Initial strong sales trailed off, and the Thunderbird disappeared again in 2005.
- 1929 Lincoln Convertible Victoria - When Ford Motor Company bought Lincoln Motor Company in 1922, the luxury automaker's cars were well engineered but not particularly attractive. Lincoln styling flourished under Edsel Ford's leadership. He worked with some of the industry's best coachbuilders to produce appealing designs that improved Lincoln's sales and stature. This 1929 Model L convertible, with a body by Dietrich, is a fine example.
- 1929
- Collections - Artifact
1929 Lincoln Convertible Victoria
When Ford Motor Company bought Lincoln Motor Company in 1922, the luxury automaker's cars were well engineered but not particularly attractive. Lincoln styling flourished under Edsel Ford's leadership. He worked with some of the industry's best coachbuilders to produce appealing designs that improved Lincoln's sales and stature. This 1929 Model L convertible, with a body by Dietrich, is a fine example.
- Submariner Frequency Converter, Model S, 1928-1935 - Shortwave radio made it possible to bring the world into the living room. This device, used to alter any radio receiver, would have appealed to listeners hoping to hear beyond local and regional broadcast ranges. The ability of short wavelength radio waves to travel long distances through saltwater made this band useful for submarine communications, hence the "Submariner" brand name.
- 1928-1935
- Collections - Artifact
Submariner Frequency Converter, Model S, 1928-1935
Shortwave radio made it possible to bring the world into the living room. This device, used to alter any radio receiver, would have appealed to listeners hoping to hear beyond local and regional broadcast ranges. The ability of short wavelength radio waves to travel long distances through saltwater made this band useful for submarine communications, hence the "Submariner" brand name.