Jet Majesty - It’s fascinating how entire eras can be captured in the shape of a car. The 1950s, often remembered as the dawn of the jet age, were not just about airplanes cutting through the sky but also about how that futuristic energy spilled over into almost every aspect of American culture. Designers were obsessed with streamlining, chrome, and speed; houses, clothing, even office buildings adopted the look of a sleek new world. But nowhere was that spirit more vividly brought to life than in the automotive world. That was the moment when the Plymouth Tornado was born—a bold concept car that seemed less like a machine for the road and more like a dream plucked straight from the runway of a jet base.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept, a remarkable symbol of the jet-age design, has finally completed its extensive restoration under the expert hands of Moses Lunden, bringing the car back to its original show-stopping glory.(Picture from: 95Octane)
Built on the bones of a 1958 Plymouth Fury, the Tornado was unveiled during auto shows across the United States in the same year. Chrysler paired its debut alongside the Army’s Redstone missile, a theatrical choice that underlined just how tightly the car’s identity was linked to aviation and aerospace progress.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept, seen from the front, showcases striking chrome details across its body.(Picture from: CarHunt)
Its presence alone was unforgettable: originally painted in muted gray when first showcased in 1958, it featured daring tail fins soaring upwards, split rear stabilizers, and exhausts that resembled rocket thrusters. Chrome highlighted striking details across its body, though even period observers debated whether the chrome frames on the doors added elegance or excess. The Tornado wasn’t shy, nor did it try to be—it existed to stand out. Following its restoration, the exterior was transformed into a vibrant red, which is how the car appears today, emphasizing its dramatic jet-age design.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept features a unique and futuristic bowtie-shaped steering wheel. (Picture from: 95Octane)
Inside, the Tornadocarried the same futuristic ambition that defined its exterior. The cabin featured a bowtie-shaped steering wheel, a design that looked strikingly modern and ahead of its time. While it certainly captured attention on the show floor, one could imagine it being less practical during tight maneuvers, a reminder that concept cars often prioritized vision over usability.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept carried the same futuristic ambition inside as it did outside, with a design that looked strikingly modern and ahead of its time..(Picture from: CarHunt)
Beneath the dramatic styling, the car’s performance was equally bold. It was powered by a 318-cubic-inch V8 engine delivering up to 290 horsepower, paired with a push-button automatic transmission that fit the era’s fascination with convenience and innovation. Yet, despite its forward-thinking image, the Tornadostill relied on drum brakes at all four wheels—a dated feature that felt at odds with a vehicle designed to embody the future.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept was powered by a 318-cubic-inch V8 engine capable of producing 290 horsepower.(Picture from: CarHunt)
The Tornado wasn’t just a showpiece in its own time. In 1964, years after its first debut, it managed to secure second place for Radical Custom Design at Denver’s Sabers’ Auto Show, an honor that also earned it a feature in Car Craft Magazine. The recognition proved that the car’s futuristic styling still resonated well beyond its original unveiling, capturing attention as one of the boldest custom designs of the era.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept features unique and daring tail fins soaring upwards at the rear end7665.(Picture from: 95Octane)
But fame is often fleeting, and by the following decade, the Tornado’s spotlight began to dim. In 1974, it resurfaced when a prominent Utah sports figure purchased the car and put it back on the road for a short while, enjoying its unusual charm for two years. After his death and later the passing of his wife, the once-celebrated concept was left abandoned in a field, exposed to the elements for nearly three decades, slowly deteriorating under harsh sun and winter snow.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept features a split rear-end design that resembles jet exhausts. (Picture from: CarHunt)
That might have been the end of the Tornado’s story, but fate had other plans. In 2004, a curious neighbor who suspected the car’s hidden value reached out to collectors, eventually setting the stage for its rediscovery. The unique machine was sold to a Hollywood director known for his love of rare automobiles, giving the car a brief second life in California. From there, it eventually passed into the hands of an enthusiast who saw more than just a piece of metal and chrome—he envisioned the Tornado reborn in the very spirit it once carried on the show floor.
The 1958 Plymouth Tornado Concept was left to rot in a barn before being restored to its former glory.(Picture from: DesignYouTrust)
Bringing that vision to reality required expertise of the highest order, and so the monumental task fell to Moses Lunden, a Chrysler-Plymouth historian with more than 20 books to his name. Lunden was renowned for his dedication to authenticity, and his approach to the Tornado was no exception. No aftermarket shortcuts were entertained; every nut, bolt, and component was painstakingly rebuilt or refurbished using original equipment. What emerged from this effort was not merely a cosmetic restoration, but a true revival of the concept car’s original glory, a time-traveling glimpse into the bold imagination of the jet age.
Today, the Tornado’s exact whereabouts remain something of a mystery, adding an extra layer of intrigue to its already remarkable journey. What is certain, however, is that the car continues to symbolize an era when imagination had no boundaries and cars weren’t just machines but visions of what the future might hold. If you ever catch sight of it again, consider it more than just a rare automobile. It’s a time capsule from an age when even the road itself felt like a runway to tomorrow.. Or if you wanna see the beauty Plymouth Belmont model. *** [EKA [02042020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DESIGNYOUTRUST | CARZHUNT | 95OCTANE ]
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Built on the bones of a 1958 Plymouth Fury, the Tornado was unveiled during auto shows across the United States in the same year. Chrysler paired its debut alongside the Army’s Redstone missile, a theatrical choice that underlined just how tightly the car’s identity was linked to aviation and aerospace progress. 
Today, the Tornado’s exact whereabouts remain something of a mystery, adding an extra layer of intrigue to its already remarkable journey. What is certain, however, is that the car continues to symbolize an era when imagination had no boundaries and cars weren’t just machines but visions of what the future might hold. If you ever catch sight of it again, consider it more than just a rare automobile. It’s a time capsule from an age when even the road itself felt like a runway to tomorrow.. Or if you wanna see the beauty Plymouth Belmont model. *** [EKA [02042020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DESIGNYOUTRUST | CARZHUNT | 95OCTANE ]
