~Our DREAM~ Time goes by, since the 1930s, automobile manufacturers in the world began to think of experimenting on a car that is considered have a futuristic design of what are they called later as The car of the future.
1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Of course, such those visionary efforts with brought the looks what kind of future vehicles based of trends on those days, this considered important to be done in order to lead opinions to look by their car product ads and to look how's the popularity of the manufacturer among the society. Only, some of which it seemed so weird in todays context.
Here are six futuristic (and weird) car designs in the past which ever introduced to the world.
1. 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt
In the 1940 New York Auto Show, the Chrysler Thunderbolt to be announced as ”The Car of the Future” by the automaker. The Thunderbolt was rushed in production for the expo with the intention to educate the general public about aerodynamics and streamlining.
Front side view of 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt. (Picture from: RM Sotheby)
The Thunderbolt was built to minimize wind resistance, so it was a smooth aerodynamic machine in every aspect. The only exterior ornamentation was a single chrome lightning bolt on each door. The aerodynamics were enhanced by eliminating door handles, using concealed headlights, doing away with A pillars, and enclosing the wheel wells.
Rear side view of 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt. (Picture from: RM Sotheby)
The Thunderbolt featured an all aluminum body and an electrically controlled retractable hardtop. The doors were opened with the touch of a button and the windows were raised and lowered by hydraulics. The Thuderbolt’s interior featured a bevy of leather and push buttons. It was powered by a 323.5 cu-in straight-eight that produced 143 hp.
There were only six cars ever made (four surviving todays), and each was given its own unique color scheme. This innovative car was designed by Ralph Roberts and Alex Tremulis and was built by the Briggs Body Works Company.
2. 1942 L'Oeuf Electrique
This car is known for its three wheels called L'Oeuf Electrique which means 'Electric Egg'. This futuristic car made by an artists, industrial designers, as well as a French engineer, Paul Arzens in 1942.
When created, this Egg Car intended for personal / individual in the days of mi. Since Egg Car appeared, until now a mini electric car continues to be an inspiration for many to develop it. Although Paul Arzens is Frenchmen, but he built an egg similar car in Germany with the existing material at the time.
Rear three quarter of 1942 L'Oeuf Electrique. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Because the war was raging, Arzens replace the energy supply of gasoline (which at that time was so hard to come by) into electrically based. Therefore, Egg Car is the first car bubble which led to the France made small cars after the war.
3. 1953 General Motors Firebird
General Motors Firebird was the result of a trilogy of three prototype concept car earlier work of Harley Earl. Firebird was introduced in the show Motorama Auto Shows three editions in 1953, 1956 and 1959. From its shape, it is clear that the Firebird was inspired from the design of existing fighter aircraft at that time.
1953 General Motors Firebird I. (Picture from: AllCarCentral)
Although a breakthrough, none of the Firebird design made for commercial purposes. This product is only as proof to General Motors for the ideas and concepts of technology development are assessed futuristic car. Today, these cars are stored neatly in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, and are often on display at the auto show each event.
1956 General Motors Firebird II. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
For the Firebird, General Motors known to successfully solve turbine fuel research done on the car since the 1930's to the 1950's with Emmett Conklin as projecy manager. With this new turbine engine, capable of the Firebird speed boost of up to 200 mph.
1959 General Motors Firebird III. (Picture from: Otoblitz)
Interestingly, General Motors consistently experimented with the Firebird concept car during the 1950s, so that the American manufacturer was recorded as making 3 models until 1959, and then the exterior treatment and rear fin styling of the concept were applied to Cadillac models between 1959 and 1961.
4. 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74
The Cyclone looked more like a jet aircraft than a car, its two fenders resembling rockets. The two flat door Segments could be slid back. The revolutionary design was matched by the radar-sensing crash avoidance system and the Plexiglas bubble-top that automatically closed when its sensor detected rain.
The Cyclone Concept was designed to test styling and engineering ideas. The 2-passenger concept had a clear plastic cover that fit snugly against the panoramic windshield for a true 360 degree vision. When not in use, the power operated canopy folds backward beneath the surface of the trunk. At the touch of a button, Cyclone's doors move outward 3 inches from the car, and slide back smoothly on ball bearings for easy entrance.
1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74 featured with sliding door and canopy bubble tops. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)
Among its advanced features is a radar sensing device, located in the twin nose cones, which scans the road ahead, and electronically alerts the driver wîth an audible signal and a warning light if an object is in its path. The dash instruments are clustered like an aircraft dashboard, between the two passengers. An intercommunication system allows the passengers to converse wîth persons outside the automobile without raising the canopy.
Rear three-quuarter of 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74. (Picture from: BelowTheRadar)
Built on a 104' chassis, the Cyclone is 197' long and stands only 44' tall; the body is made of steel (not fiberglass, like some experimental models); power is provided by the standard 325 HP engine fitted wîth a low-profile carburetor, a cross-flow aluminum radiator and two fans. The entire exhaust system, including the muffler, are located in the engine compartment wîth exhaust outlets just ahead of the front wheels.
The initial white pearlescent paint was replaced later wîth silver; at the same time, the GM Air Transport logo disappeared from the tall fins, to be replaced by an oblong, vertical Cyclone name badge placed at the extremity of each rear fender. The seats are silver leather.
5. 1970 Ferrari Pininfarina 512 S Modulo
The famous Italian car manufacturer Ferrari commissioned Pininfarina design house embodies the Ferrari 512 S Modulo, a unique future concept of an Italian designer, Paolo Martin back in 1970. Meanwhile the mentioned above car built on the chassis obtained of the 1968 Ferrari 612 Can Am (chassis number of #0864). As the result, the car with a similar shape submarine was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show 1970.
1970 Ferrari (Pininfarina) 512 S Modulo. (Picture from: OtoBlitz)
As You can see the Modulohas a very low body with style roof that slides forward like a submarine as the entrance to the cabin. Partially closed four tires and attractive features of this futuristic car is 24 holes in the engine that can generate power up to 550 hp and can run at speeds of 220 mph in 3.1 seconds, and while on driving certainly it will be created floating-like sensation.
6. 1970 Bertone Lancia Stratos HF Zero
Lancia Startos HF (Tipo 829) or widely known in short as Lancia Stratos. However, none of the most unique designs in addition to types of Lancia Stratos HF Zero. Here HF stands for High Fidelity. Similar unique car concept sports car is currently one of the highly successful race car in his day and had won the World Rally Championship three-times consecutively in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
Lancia Stratos HF Zero was produced by an Italian car manufacturer Lancia and was designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone Stylo. This show car was made for 12 months and first introduced to public in the Turin Motor Show 1970.
Right side view of 1970 Bertone Lancia Stratos HF Zero. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
This car is powered by a 1.6 L Lancia Fulvia V4 drivetrain, and had sat in display at the Bertone Museum, then sold at RM Sotheby's auction for €761,600 in Italy in the new year selebration of 2011. The last time the car was exhibited at the Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design, held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Of course, such those visionary efforts with brought the looks what kind of future vehicles based of trends on those days, this considered important to be done in order to lead opinions to look by their car product ads and to look how's the popularity of the manufacturer among the society. Only, some of which it seemed so weird in todays context.
The famous Italian car manufacturer Ferrari commissioned Pininfarina design house embodies the Ferrari 512 S Modulo, a unique future concept of an Italian designer, Paolo Martin back in 1970. Meanwhile the mentioned above car built on the chassis obtained of the 1968 Ferrari 612 Can Am (chassis number of #0864). As the result, the car with a similar shape submarine was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show 1970. 
Lancia Startos HF (Tipo 829) or widely known in short as Lancia Stratos. However, none of the most unique designs in addition to types of Lancia Stratos HF Zero. Here HF stands for High Fidelity. Similar unique car concept sports car is currently one of the highly successful race car in his day and had won the World Rally Championship three-times consecutively in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
This car is powered by a 1.6 L Lancia Fulvia V4 drivetrain, and had sat in display at the Bertone Museum, then sold at RM Sotheby's auction for €761,600 in Italy in the new year selebration of 2011. The last time the car was exhibited at the Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design, held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
