Simcar Fulgar (1958)
The brain child of designer Robert Opron, the idea of this car was to show what we would be driving in the 21st century. It was to feature atomic power, voice control, radar navigation and gyroscopic wheels. Switch the atomic power for electric and I guess he wasn't far off!
Cadillac Cyclone (1959)
Designed by WW2 camouflage pioneer, Harley Earl, the Cadillac Cyclone was inspired by rocket designs of the 1950s. It featured UV protection and radar in the nose cones on the front of the vehicle. This was part of a collision avoidance system which gave audible warning about incoming vehicles - the likes of which weren't really seen on modern commercial vehicles until the 2006 Audi Q7.
More after the jump.
Ford Gyron (1961)
The Ford Gyron was designed by Syd Mead, known for his design work on Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Aliens and Timecop; Alex Tremulis, and Louis Brennan. This two wheeled car featured gyroscopic stabilizing technology.
Lohner-Porsche Mixte-Hybrid (1900)
When Ferdinand Porsche and Jacob Lohner created the Mixte-Hybrid, they became pioneers of the hybrid motor vehicle. This two wheel drive car was battery powered with an additional gasoline-engine generator. NASA later used the Mixte-Hybrid's design as inspiration for the creation of the Lunar Roving vehicle.
GM Firebird III (1958)
Attributed to Harley Earl, the GM Firebird III featured a fibreglass fuselage, anti-locking brakes, cruise-control & air conditioning, as well as a central locking system controlled by an 'ultra-sonic' key. Eat your heart out, Dr Who!
Ford Levacar Mach 1 (1959)
Imagine it! Tootling along in your motor cushioned on jets of air instead of wheels. Yep, the Levacar was Ford's answer to that oh so wholesome '50s dream of the flying motor vehicle. Suffice to say that they were so far ahead of their time that we have yet to catch up to them in the modern motor industry.
Lincoln Futura (1955)
Designed by Ford's Bill Schmidt and John Najjar Ferzely, it wasn't so much the design of the car that makes the Lincoln Futura noteworthy in the history books but its paint job. The original show car was white with a pearlescent finish, one of the first times that such an effect had ever been used. The Futura is also a pioneer in an infinitely cooler way - it was modded to become the iconic Batmobile for the 1966 television show. The Caped Crusader would be proud!
Phantom Corsair (1938)
Designed by Rust Heinz, the Phantom Corsair didn't have door handles. Yep, you read that right. In order to get into this stunning little motor you pressed an electronic button which opened it for you. The dashboard was technologically advanced too with a built in compass and altimeter - basically an old-school sat-nav system right? But what makes this little beaut extra special is the built-in drinks cabinet in the back. Mr Heinz was a very forward thinking individual but he clearly didn't anticipate the stringent drink-drive laws of the modern era.
Chevrolet Astro III (1969)
The third in Bill Mitchel's Astro series, the Astro III was a two passenger motor, four-wheel 'tricycle' which was so low the passenger seats were installed with elevators to assist with entry and exit. This vehicle came without wing mirrors, the designer instead opted for CCTV with a screen built into the dashboard for rear view. Modern day rear view parking assistance has only just caught up!
Buick Y-Job (1938)
The Buick Y-Job is another Harley Earl design and is billed by most as the first concept car ever created. (Yes, I know the Mixte-Hybrid was 1900, but we mean the first car to be made with no intention of selling to the mass market). Featuring electric windows and hidden headlamps, it was ahead of its time because, well, would we have all these other concept cars to look at without it?
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