A custom-built car inspired by the vintage futuristic car of the '50 and '60s
Jet&Rocket Inspired If we look at this one car, we could be seen the thick unique impression since beginning. How not, this car very clearly looks like a glinting alien craft floating above the ground featured with the sharp nose, the sweptback lines and clear double-bubble canopies. No wonder there are still people who ask, was it a spaceship, a plane, a jet-powered car?
This is the Thunderflite custom car built by Dean 'Dino' Arnold based of 1961 Ford Thunderbird. (Picture from: Barrett-Jackson)
Uniquely the custom car named the Thunderflite was not made by the car manufacturer, otherwise the brainchild of noted custom builder Dean 'Dino' Arnold, who has done more than a thousand modifications to the Ford Thunderbird of 1961 up to produce one of the most successful custom cars ever and shown up for the first time at the SEMA event back in 2008.
The Thunderflite custom car has unique appearence inspired of the the GM's futuristic prototypes of
the '50s and '60s. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
Don't be fooled! To most of the people seeing it for the first time, they probably thought it was a real vintage dream car rather than a modern custom. Besides due to it looks like has just been dusted off and shined up after being left for more than 40 years, also thanks to every detail pinned seem coming from the correct periods.
The Thunderflite custom car has debuted at the 2008 SEMA Show and crowned as 2008 Best of SEMA show by Popular Mechanics Magazine, voted in Top 12 Coolest Cars at SEMA 2008. (Picture from: PopularMechanics)
This unique concept car could be instantly recognizable thanks to its double-bubble canopy, 'chrome effects' paint and sweeping tailfins, it's clearly could be seen that the Thunderflite draws its inspiration from the American automaker futuristic prototypes of
the '50s and '60s.
The Thunderflite custom car has a very contrasting color combination of chrome color and accents with red-leather are covered the seats, dashboards and others. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
As quoted of the Street Machine, the automaker said that he tried to capture what it was like in the '50s and '60s when the American automaker such GM and others built their dream cars and with the help of his late wife Suzie, then he sketched it on a napkin, while to finalize the design, then he collaborated withDon Johnson.
The Thunderflite custom car has unique hallmark of double-bubble canopies such the Batmobile-esque. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
Well, as the future car design in general made in the 1950s and 1960s were strongly inspired by the rampant of jet technology and space travel. So naturally, the car's design followed concepts such as the Pontiac Club de Mer, Oldsmobile Golden Rocket and Buick Centurion of 1956.
The Thunderflite custom car is powered by a chromed-out 4,948 cc engine connected to a modified automatic transmission system. (Picture from: Barrett-Jackson)
The unique custom car is painted with a stunning Chrome Effects by House of Kolors, and powered by a chromed-out 4,948 cc engine connected to a modified automatic transmission, plus a fully independent suspension with the Air Ride technologies computerized system.
The Thunderflite custom car could be instantly recognizable thanks to its double-bubble canopy, 'chrome effects' paint and sweeping tailfins. (Picture from: Design-Dautore)
Meanwhile on the interior carried out by Deluxe Auto Interiors, which has a very contrasting color combination, where chrome color and accent are seen adorning the instrument panel, gear rod, door trims and handles, also some parts of the steering wheel, while the rest were dominated by red-leather are covered the seats, dashboards and others.
The Thunderflite custom car could be instantly recognizable thanks to its double-bubble canopy, 'chrome effects' paint and sweeping tailfins. (Picture from: UltimateHotWheels)
As qouted of TheBidWatcher, while at an auction event hosted by Barrett-Jackson of Orange County back in 2010, the Thunderflite custom car sold for around $85,800 (approx Rp.900 millions), and today maybe the price will be even higher.
That's no wonder, because in addition to having a very attractive appearance, this custom car has won many awards such 2008 Best of SEMA show by Popular Mechanics Magazine, voted in Top 12 Coolest Cars at SEMA 2008, and took 2nd Place at the 2009 Grand National Show in Pomona, Ca. Voted 1st in Class at Albuquerque, New Mexico Super Nationals and one of the top 9 in show by Rod & Custom at Darryl Starbirds 45th Annual car show in Tulsa, OK. Voted first in class at Autorama World of Wheels in Kansas City, Mo.
Meanwhile builder of the ThunderFlite Dean "Dino" Arnold was inducted into Darryl Starbirds Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame in Grand Lake, OK. He was also named Builder of the Year. Car has also been in Rod & Kulture magazine, Street Rodder magazine, Drive magazine, Rod & Custom magazine, Car Kulture Deluxe magazine, ol'Skool Rodz magazine and SEMA magazine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WHICHCAR.COM.AU | BARRETT-JACKSON | DRIVETRIBE | AUTOBLOG | DESIGN-DAUTORE | POPULARMECHANICS.COM ]
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Meanwhile builder of the ThunderFlite Dean "Dino" Arnold was inducted into Darryl Starbirds Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame in Grand Lake, OK. He was also named Builder of the Year. Car has also been in Rod & Kulture magazine, Street Rodder magazine, Drive magazine, Rod & Custom magazine, Car Kulture Deluxe magazine, ol'Skool Rodz magazine and SEMA magazine. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WHICHCAR.COM.AU | BARRETT-JACKSON | DRIVETRIBE | AUTOBLOG | DESIGN-DAUTORE | POPULARMECHANICS.COM ]
