Prototypes and design proposals for cars.

[Turbio!]

Actual prototype rendering of the Pontiac Aztec

I can't see ****....which makes total sense, because it sure as hell looks like they didn't do a rough draft of the Aztek.

[autopulse]

this is one of the best threads ive seen in years. thank you to the OP for the spark.

bump for a thread that every "enthusiast" should check out

[barry2952]

I can't see ****....which makes total sense, because it sure as hell looks like they didn't do a rough draft of the Aztek.

Had they, the entire staff would have been blinded.

[Chris_V]

AE86 design sketches.

Mk 3

What I find interesting in these sketches, as well as the 300 ZX sketches, is that even by the early '80s, designers were already pushing for the huge wheel/rubber band tire look that we finally got 3 decades later!

And truth be told, it's an outgrowth of what the designers were attempting with whitewall tires back in the early days, where there was less black rubber visible and it looked like an extension of the wheel was a larger diameter.

[helement2003]

What I find interesting in these sketches, as well as the 300 ZX sketches, is that even by the early '80s, designers were already pushing for the huge wheel/rubber band tire look that we finally got 3 decades later!

Also amazing to me...that mkIII reminds me very much of how the mkV Golf looks in overall shape/roundedness.

[Galrot]

this is one of the best threads ive seen in years. thank you to the OP for the spark.

bump for a thread that every "enthusiast" should check out

You're welcome.

[Galrot]

The development of what was meant to be the fourth generation Plymouth Barracuda was started in 1969. The car was scheduled for debut as a 1975 model. First they started fitting aerodynamic bodywork extensions inspired by the contemporary Superbird on to a normal third generation Barracuda car. This is a early prototype and you can clearly see the Barracuda underpinnings.



The idea evolved and a few new sketches were made for smother, more coherent designs.







They made two design prototypes where each car had two separate designs applied to it, one on each side. Which made it into four separate design all in all. Here are the prototypes at different stages showing various design elements that was considered:


















This as I understand it is the final design they ended on, which is how it would have appeared if built. But the project was sadly canceled in last minute mainly due to the fuel crisis and increasing insurance prices. A shame.

[Galrot]

Drawn in 1953.

A four dour hardtop sedan that was considered for the same car:

MkIII Continental Berline, C.1955 by glen.h, on Flickr

Here is also a drawing of the model compared to standard one:


I believe you are already familiar with the last one as it was you that posted it here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s....php?p=2318814


There was also a prototype with a retractable hardtop similar in style to the 500 Skyline built, but I have yet to find any good pictures of it. Do you have any?

[barry2952]

Only the best pictures. These are from my private stash. One of the engineers that worked for Ford at Hess & Eisenhardt sent me the originals of these photos, which I scanned. I gave the originals to the Ford Historian for their archives.

The Retractable was the most technologically advanced automobile of its time. It was custom-bodied by the some company that built my Mark II convertible from a new car. The Continental Mark II chassis was fully developed before a final body design was approved. In 1954 Hess & Eisenhardt made 3 cars for the Continental Division of Ford Motor Company. The first two were standard fare 1954 modified Lincoln bodies altered to sit on the radically new "cowbelly" frame, Ford's first attempt at a ladder frame. All previous Ford products had had X-frames and flat floorboards. A ladder frame allowed for footwells that are 6" deep. That allowed them to drop the seating, belt line and roofline 6", which gives the car it's distinctive appearance. The frame also allowed for the exhaust system to go in-between the rocker panel and the side of the frame, making for some warm door sills after a long trip. This allowed them to drop the car another 2". Interestingly, the first two cars were actually sold to the public after they were done testing them.

The third prototype Mark II was the "Retractable". This was one important prototype. Early on Continental wanted to have a drop top in the line. They spent a whopping $2.1 million dollars (1954 money) developing one mans dream for a motorized retractable hard-top. Not the first retractable, but the first fully-automatic hide-away top. Ford top execs were spellbound by the first 1/4 scale demonstration model, approving further funding and the building of the prototype pictured below.

The Retractable prototype was often seen dashing around Dearborn. The story is told that when the car had dismal sales (the car was $10,000 when a suburban house was $10,000) and couldn't support further production, let alone bring out a new model at a 50% premium in price. The engineering star was purportedly summarily dismissed. The story goes that one of the engineer loaded his toolbox into the back of the Retractable and drove it home, never to be seen again. The rumor, backed by some first-hand accounts, was that the car was walled up inside the garage until the engineer died. he feared losing his pension if found out.

The reason this car is so important is that the top mechanism that had ruined the finical picture for the Continental Division was then used in the nearly 50,000 Skyliner retractable hardtops over the next three years. The mechanism was brought back into duty without sheet-metal as the convertible top used in the 1961-67 suicide-doored Lincoln Continentals.

This car is the Holy Grail of the Continental Mark II collectors. While there were only three convertibles made from new cars, there was only one Retractable.

[barry2952]

I believe you are already familiar with the last one as it was you that posted it here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s....php?p=2318814

I am fortunate to know the widow of the HVAC engineer. She had a box of drawings. One of the sets was for the fully-developed Berline (suicide-doored 4-door) stretch Mark III. I have a full set of cross-section drawings with engineering approvals, But, alas, it was a still-born project.

[MRVW00]

Are you going up to Canton for the Glenmoor Gathering this coming weekend? We're showing the Mark II and driving the '77 Town Car.

I wish I could.

Already have motorcycle gathering plans this weekend. We need to plan something so I can meet you and the Boss.

[VDub2625]

Anymore info on this "Synthesis 2010"?

[c615586]

Anymore info on this "Synthesis 2010"?

Looks like it was sold at this Christie's auction.

A little more background on Ford's AIV concepts from Jalopnik.

[ClownCar]

Very cool thread.

Here's an interesting video. Proof...somewhat, that the VW Routan was actually designed if only by two lonely guys. Interestingly you see lots of design elements that clearly never made it into the final product.

http://youtu.be/Hxgs2eHkETQ

[VDub2625]

FOUND IT!

Here's the dashboard design for the Mk2 Golf and Jetta as shown in the brochures.

[aladis]

Nissan Gt-R

[aladis]

2012 Mercedes ML

[aladis]

SMART FORMORE: died before it was born

[whitejeep1989]

That Smart formore would have been a hit in the States.

[Cr4shT3st]

my favorite car, from design study:




to prototype:







another:



production EB110/EB110 GT:



prototype SS, note the wing:




factory production SS:



Dauer SS:



B Engineering Edonis:

[aladis]

Peugeot 508 Sedan

[aladis]

Giulietta proposals refused











More:
http://www.virtualcar.it/speciale-vi...meo-giulietta/

[jetta9103]

I apologize now for blowing up this post with close to 50 pictures....

These are from my various trips to VW/Audi museums. Some are from Ingolstadt and some are from Wolfsburg.

Looks like my trip in 2007. When did you go? I see a few cars that weren't on display when I was there.

"Jenner" This porridge is too cool...

I see bland mid-90's Ford in this.

[manol2]

The Chris Bangle designed Fiat Coupe:





Old BMW Z1 prototype, which later inspired the Z3 coupe:

[manol2]

Design proposals from Matra for the Espace MPV, which Peugeot fullishly rejected. Renault took them and had the first minivan( together with the Caravan)









Renault Espace:

[baljet]

2012 Mercedes ML

Mercedes' "insert radio here" philosophy must make interior modeling easier.

[Troll Proof]

First time posting here. I'm really apologetic that the images will stretch the page, but I think you'll enjoy this.

Paul Deesen (more of his sketches linked here)

http://deansgarage.com/2012/gm-desig...-sebring-1957/



This next set from Autos of Interest















This Cadillac was shelved by GM for the Catera instead. Shown in 1988, the car was to feature a Lotus-tuned suspension along with a Lotus designed 32-valve V8.




What could of been Mustang based of the Thunderbird. Shelved for SN95. Shortened MN-12, IRS, 32v Mod. During this time, Ford played with S/C Mustang concepts, much akin to the 03-04 Terminators. Circa 1989

[Troll Proof]

Some Cimmaron from Test Drive Junkie




Similar to Cimmaron PPG CONCEPT

Stratus



Third gen Integra (link to post on Honda Tech)

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1708679

[Entwerfer des Audis]

Only the best pictures. These are from my private stash. One of the engineers that worked for Ford at Hess & Eisenhardt sent me the originals of these photos, which I scanned. I gave the originals to the Ford Historian for their archives.

The Retractable was the most technologically advanced automobile of its time. It was custom-bodied by the some company that built my Mark II convertible from a new car. The Continental Mark II chassis was fully developed before a final body design was approved. In 1954 Hess & Eisenhardt made 3 cars for the Continental Division of Ford Motor Company. The first two were standard fare 1954 modified Lincoln bodies altered to sit on the radically new "cowbelly" frame, Ford's first attempt at a ladder frame. All previous Ford products had had X-frames and flat floorboards. A ladder frame allowed for footwells that are 6" deep. That allowed them to drop the seating, belt line and roofline 6", which gives the car it's distinctive appearance. The frame also allowed for the exhaust system to go in-between the rocker panel and the side of the frame, making for some warm door sills after a long trip. This allowed them to drop the car another 2". Interestingly, the first two cars were actually sold to the public after they were done testing them.

The third prototype Mark II was the "Retractable". This was one important prototype. Early on Continental wanted to have a drop top in the line. They spent a whopping $2.1 million dollars (1954 money) developing one mans dream for a motorized retractable hard-top. Not the first retractable, but the first fully-automatic hide-away top. Ford top execs were spellbound by the first 1/4 scale demonstration model, approving further funding and the building of the prototype pictured below.

The Retractable prototype was often seen dashing around Dearborn. The story is told that when the car had dismal sales (the car was $10,000 when a suburban house was $10,000) and couldn't support further production, let alone bring out a new model at a 50% premium in price. The engineering star was purportedly summarily dismissed. The story goes that one of the engineer loaded his toolbox into the back of the Retractable and drove it home, never to be seen again. The rumor, backed by some first-hand accounts, was that the car was walled up inside the garage until the engineer died. he feared losing his pension if found out.

The reason this car is so important is that the top mechanism that had ruined the finical picture for the Continental Division was then used in the nearly 50,000 Skyliner retractable hardtops over the next three years. The mechanism was brought back into duty without sheet-metal as the convertible top used in the 1961-67 suicide-doored Lincoln Continentals.

This car is the Holy Grail of the Continental Mark II collectors. While there were only three convertibles made from new cars, there was only one Retractable.

Any word on whatever happened to the Retractable, Barry?

[partario]

Some Audi designs from late 70s and early 80s:










note the Peugeot badge.

[barry2952]

Any word on whatever happened to the Retractable, Barry?

It is supposed to still exist somewhere in Livonia, Michigan after being walled off in a garage in Dearborn for 50 years.

[VDub2625]

Did not know they were contemplating a 300 (->V8), or the Coupe rear for a wagon.

[jaimenejaim]

any tips for the concept of change?

[ClownCar]

Bricklin II Concepts by Alex Tremulis. I had no idea these existed.

1975. Mixed media on paper. Signed, dated and numbered "#03". Image size (including text): 9 3/4 x 22 3/4 inches. Framed. 19 x 30 3/4 inches.

A concept drawing by one of the great automotive designers

Alexander Sarantos Tremulis (1914-1991) was the designer of the production version of the 1948 Tucker Torpedo and was America's most original design theorist of the post-war era. He was born in Chicago and without any training in drawing or engineering joined the design team of Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg in 1933. He was chief stylist when the company failed in 1937. He worked for GM, Chrysler and Custom Motors in Beverly Hills, which designed unique cars for movie stars. During World War II, he worked for the Air Force designing aircraft, and in the process drew what may have been the first visualizations of extra-terrestrial transport: flying saucers.

After the war, Tremulis worked with Preston Tucker and later Ford. He formed his own consulting firm in the 1960's. This quite beautiful design and other similar ones were made for the ill-fated Bricklin car company, which existed from 1974 to 1976, whose demise had nothing to do with Tremulis's designs. He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1982.

Prints of these, and some other very cool cars, are for sale at http://www.donaldheald.com/prints/Ca...%20Design&wrk=

[c615586]

What could of been Mustang based of the Thunderbird. Shelved for SN95. Shortened MN-12, IRS, 32v Mod. During this time, Ford played with S/C Mustang concepts, much akin to the 03-04 Terminators. Circa 1989

I vaguely recall reading an article about an aftermarket company making shortened two seat versions of the same generation Thunderbird in C&D when I was a kid.