You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

Oldsmobile Golden Rocket (1956) Nobody could keep up with the Americans in the 1950s, with one space-age creation appearing after another. The Golden Rocket packed a 275bhp punch from its 3.2-lite V8, and it introduced us to powered steering column adjustment. Its party piece though was the seats rose up and swivelled outwards when the doors were opened – and at the same time, the roof panels hinged upwards so it was easier to get in and out.

[Lee Stewart]

GM Firebird III (1958) Until now, most American concept cars of the 1950s had been inspired by jet aircraft but this was the first one to take its cues from rockets and space craft instead. As such it was even more extreme than its predecessors and featured automatic guidance, a 225bhp turbine, a climate-controlled cabin and automatic lighting.

[Lee Stewart]

GM Runabout (1964) Charming in its simplicity, the Runabout was a three-wheeled city car with the aerodynamics of an arrow. In the boot were two integral shopping trolleys so you could load up on cheap beer. Inside there was seating for five; two up front and three in the back.

[Lee Stewart]

Buick Century Cruiser (1969) Designed originally as the Firebird IV in 1964, this high-performance car was designed as an autonomous car with all of the comforts of a living room. As such the seats could recline and swivel, there was a TV and pull-out table and even a built-in fridge. Looking at the picture it’s hard to see how they fitted that lot in; it must have been very cosy inside... Its designers probably reckoned that by 2021 all new cars would look and work like this; not quite.

[Lee Stewart]

Chrysler Atlantic (1995) Heavily influenced by the wild looks of the 1937 Bugatti Atlantic, this fabulous art deco concept by Chrysler also shared similarities under the hood, as it was powered by a straight-8 engine created by joining two Neon four-cylinder units. Even to 2021 eyes it looks amazing.

[Lee Stewart]

Mercury Messenger (2003) The Messenger wasn’t cutting edge in either its technology or design, but we include it for its allure, in the kind of way that only a muscular coupé can. This Mercury featured a 306 hp 4.6-liter quad-cam Mustang-sourced V8. Designed by Gerry McGovern (now design chief at Land Rover), the Messenger was supposed to usher in a new era for Mercury but alas it was not to be. In 2010 the Messenger concept was auctioned off, just before the Mercury brand was closed down; one lucky collector got to secure the unique car for just $52,250.

[Lee Stewart]

Chrysler ME Four-Twelve (2004) If only Chrysler hadn't been broke, this might have been a production reality. With its 6.0-liter 862 hp V12, Chrysler reckoned 250mph was in sight. So instead of a Bugatti on your drive you could have had a Chrysler. It might have done wonders for the brand’s image.

[Lee Stewart]

Chevrolet Nomad (2004) The original Nomad was a Chevrolet production car that was part of the Tri-Chevy range offered between 1955 and 1957. In 1999 the brand was revived for a concept that was quickly forgotten; five years later it was revived again, for this very neat-looking compact shooting brake. Inspired by the success of the BMW Mini, GM created this compact wagon with a view to putting it into production. But it didn’t happen; it was meant to be a premium product and GM decided to confirm Chevrolet as a mid-range brand instead.

[Lee Stewart]

Ford Shelby GR-1 (2005) While we don’t totally buy the chrome-finished bodywork – what makes the Shelby GR-1 so appealing is that muscular look. This wasn’t a concept that was all mouth and no trousers either; in the nose was a 613 hp 6.4-liter V10 engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, driving the rear wheels. Ford didn’t release any performance figures, but we can assume the GR-1 was decently rapid.

[Lee Stewart]

Chrysler Firepower (2005) The fact that the Chrysler Firepower was based on the Dodge Viper platform is perhaps all you need to know about why this understated concept should have gone into production. Don’t get us wrong – the Viper’s ridiculousness is a big part of its appeal, but the Firepower looked like a class act and Chrysler almost put the car into production. The plan was to build 45,000 of them each year, with a 431 hp 6.1-liter Hemi V8 instead of the Viper’s V10, but Chrysler got cold feet and instead the Firepower became a museum piece.