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- Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner - Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- April 19, 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner
Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner - Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- June 20, 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner
Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- Chrysler "613" Concept Car, 1955-1956 - In the 1950s, Chrysler Corporation's Advanced Styling Studio remade the carmaker's stodgy image with sleek, smooth lines inspired by jet aircraft. The department, headed by chief stylist Virgil Exner, developed several fully operational concept models. Pictured here is the body of #613, an "idea car" that exemplified Exner's "Forward Look" and influenced much of the styling for Chrysler's 1957 300C.
- 1955-1956
- Collections - Artifact
Chrysler "613" Concept Car, 1955-1956
In the 1950s, Chrysler Corporation's Advanced Styling Studio remade the carmaker's stodgy image with sleek, smooth lines inspired by jet aircraft. The department, headed by chief stylist Virgil Exner, developed several fully operational concept models. Pictured here is the body of #613, an "idea car" that exemplified Exner's "Forward Look" and influenced much of the styling for Chrysler's 1957 300C.
- 1950 Chrysler New Yorker Sedan - Chrysler joined the trend for "slab side" styling with its 1949 models. The new look removed running boards and separate front fenders, and it projected a fresh postwar image. The New Yorker, introduced in 1939, was among Chrysler's higher-end models. This 1950 example has "Prestomatic Fluid Drive," a semi-automatic transmission that eliminated much -- but not all -- clutch pedal use.
- 1950
- Collections - Artifact
1950 Chrysler New Yorker Sedan
Chrysler joined the trend for "slab side" styling with its 1949 models. The new look removed running boards and separate front fenders, and it projected a fresh postwar image. The New Yorker, introduced in 1939, was among Chrysler's higher-end models. This 1950 example has "Prestomatic Fluid Drive," a semi-automatic transmission that eliminated much -- but not all -- clutch pedal use.
- 1958 Plymouth Cabana Station Wagon - Built by Ghia, the Plymouth Cabana concept car debuted in 1958. The four-door wagon had room for nine passengers. Cabana's hardtop styling, without a B pillar between the doors, provided easier access to the interior -- advantageous for use as an ambulance or a hearse. Cabana was purely for show and lacked a functional powertrain.
- January 15, 1959
- Collections - Artifact
1958 Plymouth Cabana Station Wagon
Built by Ghia, the Plymouth Cabana concept car debuted in 1958. The four-door wagon had room for nine passengers. Cabana's hardtop styling, without a B pillar between the doors, provided easier access to the interior -- advantageous for use as an ambulance or a hearse. Cabana was purely for show and lacked a functional powertrain.
- Advertisement for Plymouth Automobiles with "Floating Power Ride," 1932 - Chrysler established its Plymouth line of automobiles in 1928. The low-priced brand competed directly with Chevrolet and Ford. Plymouth introduced its "Floating Power" engine-mounting system in 1931. Unlike competitors, who bolted engines directly to frames, Plymouth placed its engine on rubber mounts and stabilized it with a rubber-encased spring. The system reduced engine vibration and noise.
- 1932
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement for Plymouth Automobiles with "Floating Power Ride," 1932
Chrysler established its Plymouth line of automobiles in 1928. The low-priced brand competed directly with Chevrolet and Ford. Plymouth introduced its "Floating Power" engine-mounting system in 1931. Unlike competitors, who bolted engines directly to frames, Plymouth placed its engine on rubber mounts and stabilized it with a rubber-encased spring. The system reduced engine vibration and noise.
- 1932 Ford Roadster - The classic proportions of the 1932 Ford roadster make it a hot rod favorite. Rodders modified these inexpensive vehicles with more modern and powerful engines and parts. Dick Smith of Arizona purchased this hot rod in 1949. From 1954 to 1963, Smith dropped in a 1951 Chrysler V-8 engine and other non-Ford parts making this home-built hot rod his own.
- 1932
- Collections - Artifact
1932 Ford Roadster
The classic proportions of the 1932 Ford roadster make it a hot rod favorite. Rodders modified these inexpensive vehicles with more modern and powerful engines and parts. Dick Smith of Arizona purchased this hot rod in 1949. From 1954 to 1963, Smith dropped in a 1951 Chrysler V-8 engine and other non-Ford parts making this home-built hot rod his own.
- 1978 Dodge Omni Sedan - This little car was a reaction to the high gasoline prices brought on by the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the new fuel economy standards passed by Congress in 1975. It, and its twin the Plymouth Horizon, were the first American cars to adopt a front-wheel-drive, hatchback configuration that was common in Europe. <em>Motor Trend</em> magazine named them "Car of the Year."
- 1978
- Collections - Artifact
1978 Dodge Omni Sedan
This little car was a reaction to the high gasoline prices brought on by the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the new fuel economy standards passed by Congress in 1975. It, and its twin the Plymouth Horizon, were the first American cars to adopt a front-wheel-drive, hatchback configuration that was common in Europe. Motor Trend magazine named them "Car of the Year."
- Chrysler Corporation Advertisement, "Out of a Test-Tube Came a Billion-Dollar Industry," October 1936 - In this 1936 advertisement, Chrysler Corporation suggested that behind each of its vehicles was "something far more important than the materials from which the car is made." The ad made a comparison to British chemist William Henry Perkin who, in 1856, discovered a synthetic dye. Perkin recognized something special in his dye, just as Chrysler drivers did in their automobiles.
- October 12, 1936
- Collections - Artifact
Chrysler Corporation Advertisement, "Out of a Test-Tube Came a Billion-Dollar Industry," October 1936
In this 1936 advertisement, Chrysler Corporation suggested that behind each of its vehicles was "something far more important than the materials from which the car is made." The ad made a comparison to British chemist William Henry Perkin who, in 1856, discovered a synthetic dye. Perkin recognized something special in his dye, just as Chrysler drivers did in their automobiles.
- Chrysler Institutional Advertising during World War II, "Imagination and Teamwork," 1944 - Like other American automakers, Chrysler suspended civilian work to focus on military production when the U.S. entered World War II. Over the course of the war, Chrysler facilities and employees built 22,235 tanks and 18,413 B-29 airplane engines. Other Chrysler wartime products included antiaircraft guns, ammunition, and diffusers used in the production of U-235 for atomic weapons.
- 1944
- Collections - Artifact
Chrysler Institutional Advertising during World War II, "Imagination and Teamwork," 1944
Like other American automakers, Chrysler suspended civilian work to focus on military production when the U.S. entered World War II. Over the course of the war, Chrysler facilities and employees built 22,235 tanks and 18,413 B-29 airplane engines. Other Chrysler wartime products included antiaircraft guns, ammunition, and diffusers used in the production of U-235 for atomic weapons.