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- Plymouth XNR Concept Car, 1960 - Virgil Exner, head of Chrysler Corporation's styling department, designed a concept car to rival Chevrolet's popular Corvette. Exner liked his sleek "idea car" so much that he named it after himself. Unlike most concept cars, the Plymouth XNR was hand-formed from steel -- it was fully operational. This photograph emphasizes the XNR's striking asymmetrical body.
- 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Plymouth XNR Concept Car, 1960
Virgil Exner, head of Chrysler Corporation's styling department, designed a concept car to rival Chevrolet's popular Corvette. Exner liked his sleek "idea car" so much that he named it after himself. Unlike most concept cars, the Plymouth XNR was hand-formed from steel -- it was fully operational. This photograph emphasizes the XNR's striking asymmetrical body.
- Exterior, 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.
- March 31, 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Exterior, 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.
- 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.
- Photograph of a Drawing by Virgil M. Exner, "Blackhawk Boat-Tail Coupe," 1968 - Banker James O'Donnell and former Chrysler design head Virgil Exner revived the Stutz Motor Company and built new models under the brand from 1971 through 1987. The Blackhawk coupe was based on a General Motors platform but included luxury features like gold-plated trim and mink carpeting. The high-end car appealed to celebrity owners like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Elvis Presley.
- July 01, 1968
- Collections - Artifact
Photograph of a Drawing by Virgil M. Exner, "Blackhawk Boat-Tail Coupe," 1968
Banker James O'Donnell and former Chrysler design head Virgil Exner revived the Stutz Motor Company and built new models under the brand from 1971 through 1987. The Blackhawk coupe was based on a General Motors platform but included luxury features like gold-plated trim and mink carpeting. The high-end car appealed to celebrity owners like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Elvis Presley.
- John Najjar Sketch for 1963 Ford Mustang II Concept Car - When the two-seat Mustang I concept car caused so much excitement in 1962, Ford worried that buyers might be disappointed in the four-seat production Mustang already in development. The company built the four-seat Mustang II concept car in 1963 to prepare customers for the general shape and look of the production car. It worked -- few complained about the 1965 Mustang.
- April 21, 1963
- Collections - Artifact
John Najjar Sketch for 1963 Ford Mustang II Concept Car
When the two-seat Mustang I concept car caused so much excitement in 1962, Ford worried that buyers might be disappointed in the four-seat production Mustang already in development. The company built the four-seat Mustang II concept car in 1963 to prepare customers for the general shape and look of the production car. It worked -- few complained about the 1965 Mustang.
- Ford 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.
- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Ford 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.
- Ford 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.
- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Ford 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.
- Herbert Misch and Gene Bordinat with the Ford Mustang I 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.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Herbert Misch and Gene Bordinat with the Ford Mustang I 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.
- 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.