1970 concept design of a Lambo Muira Le Mans was just found in Indiana at an estate sale

Read about it and seee the whole gallery of the as found (horrible) condition at http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/01/ebay-find-luigi-colanis-1970.html

Would you store a one of a kind concept car so long it deteriorated, lost all value, and then sell it? Kinda stupid isn't it. The 1954 Mercury XM800

Above as restored, below as found

1954 Lincoln Futura concept that the original tv show Batmobile car was made from

most photos from http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428585&page=733

1950 Martin Stationette

James V. Martin was a prolific inventor who spent years designing cars that he hoped someone would be willing to produce. The Stationette was his last attempt. Produced by Commonwealth Research Corp. in New York, NY, this car is an all wooden monocoque construction. It features no axles, shock absorbers, or propeller shaft, which Mr. Martin claimed made it cheaper to build.

It was designed to fit the needs of the suburban commuter, as popular acceptance would greatly ease traffic congestion. The Stationette was shown at the 1954 World Motor Sports Show and offered as 'America' Economy Car of the Future.' Mr. Martin failed to convince anyone to produce this car.

information from lanemotormuseum.org ; via: http://www.conceptcarz.com/events/eventVehicle.aspx?carID=15184&eventID=200&catID=1551&whichPage=1

AMX concept I'm glad that didn't work out

1969 Chrysler Concept 70X

http://losboulevardos.blogspot.com/

1969 autorama concept cars

Via: http://losboulevardos.blogspot.com/

1970 Mercury El Gato concept car

Images from http://www.carstyling.ru/en/cars.1970_Mercury_El%20Gato.html and http://losboulevardos.blogspot.com/

Chysler LeBaron Thunderbolt at Pebble Beach Concours

Via: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event_list/&mode=recent

A factory photo from Ghia of the Plymouth XNR concept car

For a couple more photos: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/04/plymouth-concept-cars.html

The best coverage of Concept cars in a single post I've ever seen!

http://weburbanist.com/2009/04/16/20-outstanding-outrageous-concept-cars-from-the-golden-age/

Plymouth concept cars

1954 Plymouth Belmont

1954 Plymouth Explorer

1958 Plymouth Cabana

1960 Ghia XNR

1965 VIP

http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/plymouthconcepts.htm

1966 Jaguar XJ13

XJ13 was developed by Jaguar during the 1960's with the final prototype being finished in 1967, and carried Jaguar's first V12. The engine was remarkable in that it had twin overhead cams and mechanical fuel injection. Unfortunately, it was developed too late to be competitive and by late 1966 Jaguar was taken over by the British Motor Corporation (BMC).

According to http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z7339/Jaguar-XJ13.aspx the rules changed on the displacement of concept cars put the engine size down to 3 liters again.

The project was shelved and the XJ13 was put into storage. The next time the car was seen was in 1971 when it was taken to the MIRA circuit to make a promotional film for the official release of the V12 engine.

Unfortunately, a tyre blew on the steep banking of the MIRA track and on its first public appearance, the XJ13 was virtually destroyed.

Although the damage was extensive, Jaguar decided to have the car completely rebuilt. In the following years, the company's Heritage department showed the unique machine at various events both stationary and driving. At some point the healthier of the two engines was over-revved and destroyed. The second engine used a welded piston and could only be driven slowly. It was later rebuilt and is now on display in the Jaguar Museum in England.

Primarily developed to compete against the Ford GT 40's (which had won its first Le Mans in 1966 and went onto win the 1967 and 1969 races.) it had a top speed of 200 mph with more than 500 horsepower from a 5.0 liter V12, and high speed stability without wings.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/222/Jaguar-XJ13.html

1938 Phantom Corsair

Above, vintage photo from a HAMB thread : http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428585&page=2

Custom chassis from the AJ. Bayer Company that used a donor Cord 812 drive train, body by Bohman & Schwartz. Design by Rust Heinz

The prototype cost upwards of $24,000 USD to build.

Promotion included a full page ad issued in Esquire magazine, a display named it ‘The Car of Tomorrow’ at the World’s Fair and it played the role of ‘The Flying Wombat’ in David O. Selznick’s film The Young in Heart (1938). Furthermore it was featured in a Popular Science film series in 1938. Despite all the attention, no orders came in for the eccentric design, reducing the Phantom Corsair to a very expensive one-of.
Heinz used the car until his death at the age of 25 .

The car was sold at auction and purchased by Bill Harrah.
Since then, the Phantom Corsair has remained in the National Automobile Museum, formerly known as The Harrah Collection, in Reno, Nevada.

http://www.supercars.net/cars/4422.html via:

1955 Lincoln Futura concept

Looks realllly wide. Imagine trying to park this in a modern parking lot, and not hitting something with the distant front bumper corners

The Belka

http://minutia-microcarsminicars.blogspot.com/2008/11/ukrainian-nami_12.html

VW prototype

http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/ws_mar_2003/Beetle-early-history03.htm

1961 Ford Gyron

First shown to the world in 1961 at the Detroit Motor Show as a concept car. One wheel was at the front and the other at the rear like a motorcycle and the car was stabilized by gyroscopes. The two occupants of the vehicle were seated side by side and, when the vehicle was stationary, two small legs appeared from the sides to support it.

The vehicle was created for research and marketing purposes, with no intention to put it into production.

Alex Tremulis was the designer , he started his career with the US airforce and worked in 1948 at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on the concept of Military flying saucers. He then became the chief designer for the ill fated Tucker automobile before joining Ford.

The gyroscopic systems were based on Louis Brennan's theories. Ford Motor Company gave credit for the Gyron to Louis Brennan.

Via: http://thenewcaferacersociety.blogspot.com/2008/03/when-is-motorcycle-not-motorcycle-ford.html

Concept of what Dodge could have done to compete with the 67 Corvette

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2009/top-2009-Viper-Concept-1967-by-Rafael-Reston.htm Via http://theawesomer.com/page/8/

Futurliner display

http://acriacao.com/2008/12/11/gm-futurliners-and-the-parade-of-progress/