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- General Motors GM-X Stiletto Scale Model, 1964 - This 1/9-scale model depicts the GM-X Stiletto concept car. A full size model was built later and shown at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was strongly influenced by aerospace design.
- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
General Motors GM-X Stiletto Scale Model, 1964
This 1/9-scale model depicts the GM-X Stiletto concept car. A full size model was built later and shown at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was strongly influenced by aerospace design.
- 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.
- 1974
- Collections - 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.
- Scale Model of the Nucleon, a 1958 Ford Motor Company Styling Conception for an Atomic-Powered Car - This 3/8-scale model was built to explore how the future of energy might affect the future of automotive design. The Ford Nucleon would have been powered by a rear-mounted, self-contained nuclear reactor. This atomic-automobile idea assumed, of course, that issues with nuclear safety and the size and weight of nuclear reactors would eventually be resolved. The Nucleon was never produced.
- 1958
- Collections - Artifact
Scale Model of the Nucleon, a 1958 Ford Motor Company Styling Conception for an Atomic-Powered Car
This 3/8-scale model was built to explore how the future of energy might affect the future of automotive design. The Ford Nucleon would have been powered by a rear-mounted, self-contained nuclear reactor. This atomic-automobile idea assumed, of course, that issues with nuclear safety and the size and weight of nuclear reactors would eventually be resolved. The Nucleon was never produced.
- Press Release, "The Mustang, Ford Motor Company's New Experimental Sports Car," October 7, 1962 - While it shared its name with the popular production Ford Mustang introduced in 1964, the 1962 Mustang I was an entirely separate project. The experimental Mustang I allowed Ford to test engineering concepts and -- perhaps more importantly -- show the public that the company promoted excitement and innovation. Ford vice presidents Herbert Misch and Gene Bordinat championed the car.
- October 07, 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Press Release, "The Mustang, Ford Motor Company's New Experimental Sports Car," October 7, 1962
While it shared its name with the popular production Ford Mustang introduced in 1964, the 1962 Mustang I was an entirely separate project. The experimental Mustang I allowed Ford to test engineering concepts and -- perhaps more importantly -- show the public that the company promoted excitement and innovation. Ford vice presidents Herbert Misch and Gene Bordinat championed the car.
- Ford Gyron during Fabrication, 1959-1961 - Ford Motor Company revealed its Gyron concept car in 1961. Designers intended for a gyroscope to keep the two-wheeled car upright, but the technology was too expensive for a show car. Instead, the fiberglass Gyron used outrigger wheels to keep its balance while an electric motor moved it at 5 mph. The Gyron was destroyed in the 1962 Ford Rotunda fire.
- 1959-1961
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Gyron during Fabrication, 1959-1961
Ford Motor Company revealed its Gyron concept car in 1961. Designers intended for a gyroscope to keep the two-wheeled car upright, but the technology was too expensive for a show car. Instead, the fiberglass Gyron used outrigger wheels to keep its balance while an electric motor moved it at 5 mph. The Gyron was destroyed in the 1962 Ford Rotunda fire.
- Ford Mustang I Experimental Sports Car at Pacific Grand Prix, Laguna Seca, October 1962 - Ford Motor Company caused a sensation in the automotive press when it unveiled Mustang I in October 1962. The two-seat concept car featured a sleek aluminum body, retractable headlights, and a mid-mounted V-4 engine sourced from Ford's German subsidiary. Never intended for sale, Mustang I's purpose was to generate interest in Ford. By that measure, it was a complete success.
- 19 October 1962 - 21 October 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Mustang I Experimental Sports Car at Pacific Grand Prix, Laguna Seca, October 1962
Ford Motor Company caused a sensation in the automotive press when it unveiled Mustang I in October 1962. The two-seat concept car featured a sleek aluminum body, retractable headlights, and a mid-mounted V-4 engine sourced from Ford's German subsidiary. Never intended for sale, Mustang I's purpose was to generate interest in Ford. By that measure, it was a complete success.
- Dan Gurney Driving Ford Mustang I Experimental Sports Car, Pacific Grand Prix, Laguna Seca, October 1962 - Ford Motor Company caused a sensation in the automotive press when it unveiled Mustang I in October 1962. Race driver Dan Gurney piloted the mid-engine sports car in demonstration laps at Watkins Glen, New York, and Laguna Seca, California. Never intended for sale, Mustang I's purpose was to generate interest in Ford. By that measure, it was a complete success.
- 19 October 1962 - 21 October 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Dan Gurney Driving Ford Mustang I Experimental Sports Car, Pacific Grand Prix, Laguna Seca, October 1962
Ford Motor Company caused a sensation in the automotive press when it unveiled Mustang I in October 1962. Race driver Dan Gurney piloted the mid-engine sports car in demonstration laps at Watkins Glen, New York, and Laguna Seca, California. Never intended for sale, Mustang I's purpose was to generate interest in Ford. By that measure, it was a complete success.
- Rendering, 1952 Lincoln Maharajah Show Car Interior - The Lincoln Maharajah was one of four show cars exhibited by the automaker at the 1953 Chicago Auto Show. It was based on a 1953 Lincoln Capri sedan. The Maharajah featured pearlescent gold paint on its exterior, and it was capped with a white roof. Gold and white upholstery and gold-toned metal trim were used throughout the Maharajah's luxurious interior.
- 1952
- Collections - Artifact
Rendering, 1952 Lincoln Maharajah Show Car Interior
The Lincoln Maharajah was one of four show cars exhibited by the automaker at the 1953 Chicago Auto Show. It was based on a 1953 Lincoln Capri sedan. The Maharajah featured pearlescent gold paint on its exterior, and it was capped with a white roof. Gold and white upholstery and gold-toned metal trim were used throughout the Maharajah's luxurious interior.
- Brochure for Pontiac Club de Mer and Four-Door Catalina Cars, 1956, "Pontiac Motorama Masterpieces" - From 1949 to 1961, General Motors hosted a series of semi-regular shows spotlighting futuristic concept cars and aspirational production cars. In 1953, the event was named Motorama and transformed into a traveling show that toured major cities around the United States. Motorama also showcased products from GM subsidiaries, like the "kitchen of the future" equipped with Frigidaire appliances.
- 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Brochure for Pontiac Club de Mer and Four-Door Catalina Cars, 1956, "Pontiac Motorama Masterpieces"
From 1949 to 1961, General Motors hosted a series of semi-regular shows spotlighting futuristic concept cars and aspirational production cars. In 1953, the event was named Motorama and transformed into a traveling show that toured major cities around the United States. Motorama also showcased products from GM subsidiaries, like the "kitchen of the future" equipped with Frigidaire appliances.
- Dan Gurney Driving Ford Mustang I Experimental Sports Car, Watkins Glen, New York, 1962 - Road-racing champion Dan Gurney gave the Mustang I its first public demonstration at the 1962 United States Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York. The event got a lot of press and generated excitement.
- October 07, 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Dan Gurney Driving Ford Mustang I Experimental Sports Car, Watkins Glen, New York, 1962
Road-racing champion Dan Gurney gave the Mustang I its first public demonstration at the 1962 United States Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York. The event got a lot of press and generated excitement.