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American Concept Cars

Full Canvas

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Rather than add this to a thread that is not truly related, it might be best to simply begin a new thread about American concept cars. Label King's image of the Harley Earl/General Motors (Buick) Le Sabre got me to thinking along these lines. So, for those who are interested, I begin with Chrysler.

From the 1940s to the 1960s, Chrysler had some interesting concept cars. In the posts below are a dozen unique examples. The 1961 TurboFlight is truly wild!

If you look closely, you will see the Ghia badge on the flanks of the 1951 K-310, the 1952 C-200, the 1953 d'Elegance, and the 1955 Falcon.

1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt
ChryslerThunderbolt-1941.jpg


1941 Chrysler Newport Phaeton
ChryslerNewportPhaeton-1941.jpg


1951 Chrysler K-310
ChryslerK-310-1951.jpg

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1952 Chrysler C-200
ChryslerC-200-1952.jpg


1953 Chrysler d’Elegance
ChryslerdElegance-1953.jpg


1954 Chrysler Le Comtesse (Notice the Moon Roof)
ChryslerLeComtesse-1954.jpg

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1955 Chrysler Falcon
ChryslerFalcon-1955.jpg


1955 Chrysler Flight Sweep I
ChryslerFlightSweepI-1955.jpg


1955 Chrysler Flight Sweep II
ChryslerFlightSweepII-1955.jpg
 

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1958 Chrysler Imperial d’Elegance
ChryslerImperialdElegance-1958.jpg


1961 Chrysler TurboFlight
ChryslerTurboflight-1961.jpg


1963 Chrysler Turbine
ChryslerTurbine-1963.jpg
 

LabelKing

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The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible was based on the Chrysler d'Elegance, which was designed by Ghia, I believe.

1971_VW_Karmann-Ghia.jpeg
 

VMan

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Not a car, but badass as all get out. Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle.
det2_tomahawk_2.jpg
500HP V10 Viper engine. 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, top speed of close to 400MPH (I believe the official estimate was 379mph)
 

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Originally Posted by LabelKing
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible was based on the Chrysler d'Elegance, which was designed by Ghia, I believe.

1971_VW_Karmann-Ghia.jpeg


That's quite true for both the coupe in your photo and the convertible you mention.

Nowhere is it more obvious than in the line of the rear fender. The irony is that the American stylist, Ralph Roberts, penned the original Newport Phaeton with that fender line.

The Ghia designs (the K-310, the C-200, and the d'Elegance) got their rear fender styling cue from the Newport Phaeton. Ghia simply used Mr. Roberts' fender line to create later iterations of Chrysler concept cars and subsequently fulfill the order for Karmann.

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designprofessor

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Originally Posted by VersaceMan
Not a car, but badass as all get out. Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle.

det2_tomahawk_2.jpg


500HP V10 Viper engine.

0-60 in 2.5 seconds, top speed of close to 400MPH (I believe the official estimate was 379mph)


Good lord! I have zero tolerance for wannabes in tiny foreign cars with coffee can tailpipes or middle aged men trying to be Hells Angels, but if one of these were to pull up beside me...I'd make the exception.
 

Kai

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Originally Posted by VersaceMan
Not a car, but badass as all get out. Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle.

det2_tomahawk_2.jpg


500HP V10 Viper engine.

0-60 in 2.5 seconds, top speed of close to 400MPH (I believe the official estimate was 379mph)


Not strictly a concept, as they actually produced a few and sold them to folks. I'm pretty sure Jay Leno owns one.
 

SGladwell

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Everybody always says that Detroit does fantasy so well, but I don't get it. Looking at the concepts at the Detroit Auto Show and then looking at the concepts at Geneva or Frankfurt/Paris, and Detroit seems to have no spark whatsoever. I can only think of two "American" concept cars of the last five years that were even worth my time to view, oddly enough both from that most plebeian of American marques, Dodge. 1) Dodge Razor (2002)
2002_dodge_razor.jpg
2) Dodge Slingshot (2004)
2004-Dodge-Slingshot-Concept-800.jpg
The Slingshot, being a rebody of Europe's Smart Roadster, is one of the few American-badged cars (show or showroom) that I could ever see myself driving as something other than a rental.
 

imageWIS

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Originally Posted by SGladwell
2) Dodge Slingshot (2004)
2004-Dodge-Slingshot-Concept-800.jpg


The Slingshot, being a rebody of Europe's Smart Roadster, is one of the few American-badged cars (show or showroom) that I could ever see myself driving as something other than a rental.


OMG, I actually like the way that car looks...

Jon.
 

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