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Alternate Reality: American Concept Cars That Captivated Auto Fans

Vukasin Herbez March 1, 2024

Concept cars are used to lure visitors to car shows. But nowadays, concept cars have mostly been abandoned by major car companies, just like car shows. Yet for almost 90 years, concept cars were the talk of the industry. They excited crowds, showed off new designs, and influenced the car industry’s future. Most of the show cars never made it to production, but some did.

The American car industry invented concept cars in the late 1930s and developed it into a trend during the ’50s. Some concept cars surprised car fans, showing them how some brands were innovative and advanced in their thinking. As mentioned, most of these vehicles were close to production but were canceled at the last moment. That’s why we decided to look back through Detroit’s alternate history. Check out the concept cars that turned heads despite never hitting the pavement here.

Buick Y Job Concept Car 8
Photo Credit: GM

Buick Y Job

The first concept car in the world was the 1939 Buick Y Job. It was the brainchild of famous GM designer Harley Earl, who designed the car for a show circuit and to show future trends. The Y Job was renowned for its hidden headlights, smooth lines, and elegant appearance. It was built on a regular production chassis with a standard drivetrain but featured a unique interior (via Hemmings).

Buick Y Job Concept Car 5
Photo Credit: GM

Unlike some other concept cars, which are purely for show purposes, the Y Job was a fully functional vehicle. It was even used by Harley Earl for many years. If you look at the design of early ’50s Buick models, you’ll notice a resemblance to the Y Job concept. Today, this vital piece of American car history and culture is a permanent piece of the GM Heritage collection.

Gm Lesabre Concept Car 12
Photo Credit: GM

Buick LeSabre Concept

The early ’50s were times of recovery after World War II and the industry had just started introducing new shapes and designs. Then the 1951 LeSabre Concept Car arrived and changed everything with its perfect stance, and advanced styling details that would influence the industry for the next decade. From the chrome bumpers to its oversized tail fins, the next decade of Detroit was visible in just one car. The Jet-Age design arrived and was showcased in this model (via Ultimate Car Page).

Gm Lesabre Concept Car 9
Photo Credit: GM

The LeSabre proved highly influential for Buick and the rest of Detroit’s manufacturers. Also, the immense success of this concept car paved the way for other creations. Soon, every American car brand had its concept car on the show circuit.

Photo Credit: Motor 1

AMC AMX/3

Most car fans know about the heroic Javelin introduced in 1968. In those days, AMC was known as an economy car brand making inexpensive models without any particular features or thrills. When a pair of hot muscle cars hit the streets in the late ’60s, many paid attention and AMC received a significant bump in sales. Encouraged by the success of Javelin and AMX, AMC management wanted to go further and attack the sports car market. They had the funds to do so but didn’t have a starting point. Soon, AMC hired renewed ex-Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. They asked him to build them a modern sports car with a rear engine, transaxle, and sleek body (via Hagerty).

Photo Credit: Motor 1

Bizzarrini did what he was asked to do and even more. The AMX/3 prototype had world-class handling, sexy Italian styling, and could hit 170 mph. AMC’s 390 V8 engine provided the power with 340 HP. Despite the promising start, AMC realized that the finished product would cost around $12,000. This was significantly more than the similarly designed De Tomaso Pantera and almost double the price of the Corvette. Unfortunately but understandably they decided to kill the fantastic AMX/3 after only six preproduction cars were built in 1970.

Pontiac Banshee Concept Car 1
Photo Credit: GM

Pontiac Banshee 1964

In the early ’60s, many considered Pontiac a performance brand. The muscle car and performance market was booming thanks in part to the newly introduced GTO. However, company management had bigger ambitions. So they introduced a fully operational concept called the Banshee. The Banshee I was the first in a long line of Pontiac concept cars that influenced production models. The first one to emerge in 1964 was highly advanced, with compact dimensions, a lightweight body, and a powerful engine. Pontiac conceived it as a “Mustang killer,” but GM feared that a sports coupe from Pontiac could affect Corvette sales so they canceled the project (via Motor Trend).

1964 Pontiac Banshee Concept Coupe
Photo Credit: GM

Most car fans think that’s too bad since the Banshee I had the potential to be a fantastic car. GM even incorporated several design clues into the next-generation Corvette. Today, both prototypes – one silver coupe and one white convertible – survived. We can’t help but ask what would happen if GM allowed Pontiac to build the Banshee and change sports car history.

1953 Gm Futureliner Motorama Dream Car
Photo Credit: GM

GM Futurliner

One of the craziest but still roadworthy concept cars was the famous GM Futurliner bus. Designed in 1939 as a part of the Parade of Progress (predecessor to the Motorama traveling show), the Futurliners was a custom-made bus that used a regular GM Truck Division drivetrain (via Futurliner).

Gm Futurliner 5
Photo Credit: GM

Redesigned for the 1950s, each Futurliner was designed to show a specific technology or achievement. The interior featured an information desk and could accommodate visitors. GM produced 12 of those vehicles and nine of them survived.

Astro Ii
Photo Credit: GM

Chevrolet Astro II (XP-880)

Even though this concept wasn’t called a Corvette, everyone at the 1968 New York Auto Show knew this was the next generation of America’s favorite sports car. In those days, Zora Arkus Duntov, Chevrolet’s engineer, and Bill Mitchell, head of GM design, lobbied hard for Corvette to go mid-engined. The Astro II was one of the first in a long line of mid-engine Corvette concepts. For a while, it looked like Chevrolet would produce it. The idea was a fully functional prototype with the engine placed behind the passengers. Its 390 HP big block V8 powered its rear wheels and gave the Astro II a very convincing performance (via Motor Trend).

Chevrolet Astro Ii Xp 880 Concept Car 1
Photo Credit: GM

Ultimately, Chevrolet decided to abandon the mid-engined Corvette and go with the standard drivetrain layout for Corvette’s third generation in 1968. Had Chevrolet agreed to greenlight the Astro II, Ferrari would have had a hard time on the American market. Today, 50 years after the Astro II, we’re eagerly expecting the introduction of the Corvette Zora, which will finally be mid-engined like so many concepts before it.

Corvette Cerv Iii 4
Photo Credit: GM

Chevrolet Corvette CERV III

As we all know, Chevrolet has been playing with the mid-engine Corvette idea since the ’60s. But in the early ’90s, it looked like it would finally present the road-going, full-production version. In 1990, the CERV III concept was introduced and it was stunning (via Supercars).

Cerv Iii
Photo Credit: GM

It was a proper supercar with 225 mph top speed, all-wheel drive, special brakes, and an impressive 650 HP output. The prototype looked very mature and everyone expected Chevrolet would introduce the CERV III as a production model. But unfortunately, GM decided not to.

1968 Dodge Charger Iii Concept V0 Nsjza2xgu3p81
Photo Credit: Dodge

Dodge Charger III

The success of the Charger inspired Chrysler’s designers to develop the idea of a Dodge performance model. The original Charger had power, performance, and countless racing wins. But it was still a big, heavy, and not very aerodynamic muscle machine. The 1968 Charger III concept was something very different. The Charger III was no longer a muscle car but a pure two-seat sports machine. It had compact dimensions, a low profile, was lightweight, and had several unusual features. There were no conventional doors, but the whole top of the car opened and allowed access to the interior (via Supercars).

Dodge Charger Iii Concept Car
Photo Credit: Dodge

The steering column tilted along with the steering wheel to make entry more comfortable. On the back of the car, there were massive airbrakes that were similar to the ones on airplanes. The whole vehicle was highly futuristic and that doomed it from actual production. However, the legacy of the advanced Charger III concept remained with Chrysler. 25 years after the original car, Dodge actually produced a muscle sports car in the form of the legendary Dodge Viper RT/10.

1973 Corvette Four Rotor Xp 882 Aerovette Concept 1
Photo Credit: GM

Chevrolet Aerovette Wankel

The mid-engine layout has been an obsession of Corvette engineers for decades. Between 1960 and 1977, there were around 10 fully functional Corvette prototypes with this drivetrain layout. But one in particular is more interesting than others – the 1973 Aerovette Wankel concept. The most important feature of this car was its engine, an advanced four-rotor Wankel unit with more than 400 HP. In the early ’70s, manufacturers experimented with Wankel rotary engines, looking for cheaper, more efficient alternatives to standard piston-type engines. Chevrolet realized that it retained the power level of big-block V8s with the Wankel unit but in a much lighter and higher revving package. So the green light was given for the development of the Wankel Corvette (via Top Gear).

1973 Chevrolet Aerovette1 1280x1280.jpeg
Photo Credit: GM

The functional prototype was shown at the 1973 Paris Motor Show and received mixed reviews. The styling was good, and 420 HP was double the power of a regular 454 Corvette. Still, people were reluctant to the idea of a mid-engined Corvette and the zooming sound of the engine instead of the recognizable V8 rumble. After the Chevrolet realized the costs of introducing such a car, the project was scrapped. But the legend of the Wankel Corvette remains alive among Chevrolet aficionados.

1966 Ford Mustang Station Wagon.jpg
Photo Credit: Ford

Ford Mustang Station Wagon

When the Mustang was released in 1964, it became a worldwide hit and sold a million examples in the year-and-a-half following its introduction. As with all popular cars, customizers started presenting their vision of Ford’s famous pony car. One of the most notable custom creations was the Mustang station wagon (via Driving Line).

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Photo Credit: Ford

Ford noticed the trend and 1966 presented a prototype of a three-door, shooting brake-style station wagon loosely based on a 1969 design. Ford managers saw the potential in roomier versions of the Mustangs since the long roof didn’t affect the sporty appeal of the original design while offering more practicality and comfort. However, the Mustang Wagon never got to be introduced to the general public in the form of an official concept since Ford decided to stick with low production costs and standard body styles, which is a shame.

Pontiac Banshee Concept 1
Photo Credit: GM

Pontiac Banshee 1988

Most ’80s car concepts were wedge-shaped cars with angular designs, straight lines, and sharp edges. But the 1988 Pontiac Banshee concept is a prime example of an ’80s concept that still looks aggressive today. The 1988 Banshee was the fourth concept car to carry that name and the first to influence the production car directly afterward. Most of the 1988 Banshee design elements appeared several years later on the 1993 Pontiac Firebird. However, this concept car was more than a design study for the fourth-generation F-body; it was the vision of Pontiac’s future sports car (via Story Cars).

Pontiac Banshee Concept
Photo Credit: GM

The car was powered by a 4.0-liter all-aluminum V8 producing 230 HP and sending that power to rear wheels over a five-speed manual. The body was made out of lightweight materials with superb aerodynamic coefficient. All in all, the Banshee was something closer to a Ferrari than to a muscle car. As we all know, Pontiac never built the Banshee.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept
Photo Credit: GM

Corvette Stingray Concept

In 2009, Chevrolet surprised the automotive public with the gorgeous Stingray Concept. It was a show car designed to appear in the Transformers movie but it was also shown all over America. The Stingray Concept featured a beautiful retro-inspired design reminiscent of the 1963 Corvette (via Motor Trend).

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept
Photo Credit: GM

For a few years, the public speculated that the Stingray would be the next C7 Corvette. But as we all know, Chevrolet decided to go with a more modern-yet-conventional look.

2006 Ford F 350: Super Duty; Lariat
Photo Credit: Ford

Ford 427 Concept

The early 2000s brought us the renaissance of American performance and many famous muscle cars back from the dead. In 2003, Ford went a step further and introduced a concept. This concept combined pure muscle car power with the elegance of a European performance sedan and the legacy of a classic American four-door car. It was called the 427 Concept, blowing the audience away. The 427 Concept was a sleek four-door car with several cool retro-futuristic design features like the front grille and the rear lights reminiscent of the classic Ford Galaxie 7-Litre cars of the ’60s (via Dezo Garage).

Ford 427 Concept 9
Photo Credit: Ford

But the best thing was under the hood. It boasted a 427 CID V10 engine with 590 HP and brutal performance. With an elegant exterior and so much power, the 427 Concept was the dream car of many muscle car enthusiasts. For a while, it looked like Ford was preparing to produce this car and fight the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger, and Cadillac CTS. However, the recession turned the company’s focus to more fuel-efficient models, canceling the fantastic 427 Concept project.

Gm Firebird I Concept Car 6
Photo Credit: GM

GM Firebird Concepts

Even though the first Firebird was introduced in 1967, the name was already used by General Motors on four trendy concept cars presented in the late ’50s. Called the GM Firebird I to IV, these were purely show cars with rocket-inspired styling, big fins, and advanced equipment (via Hemmings).

Firebird Iii
Photo Credit: GM

The first Firebird had a jet engine and was essentially an airplane on wheels. Later, the cars were a bit more conventional but still wild. All Firebird concepts were marketed as the cars of the future with numerous insane features such as a TV on the dashboard, outboard drum brakes, and so on. Some car historians claim that those concepts were fantasy cars never intended for production and only served as attention-getters for their car show crowds.

Ford Bronco Concept
Photo Credit: Ford

Ford Bronco Concept

The success of the 2004 Bronco Concept caught everyone at Ford by surprise. Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, its timing aligned perfectly with the retro-futuristic trend prevalent in the early 2000s seen in models like the New Beetle, Ford GT, Mustang S197, and Mini. Recognizing the automotive community’s appetite for reimagined classics, Ford’s Icons department gambled on nostalgia (via Motor 1).

Ford Bronco Concept
Photo Credit: Ford

Still, the overwhelming public enthusiasm for the boxy, silver off-roader with its iconic name and unmistakable design cues exceeded all expectations. Powered by a 2.0-liter diesel engine, Ford initially intended to keep it a mere concept. However, the resounding message from fans couldn’t be ignored. Eventually, Ford heeded the call, finally reintroducing the Bronco in 2021 as a production model.

Dodge Diamante Challenger
Photo Credit: Dodge

Dodge Diamante Challenger

Dodge was late to the pony car segment with the 1970 Challenger. But it immediately showed that they were there to stay since it was a great muscle car with iconic styling and a lineup of powerful engines. However, Dodge wanted more to see if the Challenger could be transformed into a sports car that could rival the Corvette. That’s why the Diamante concept car was born. This example started as a highly optioned Hemi convertible, which was turned into a Yellow Jacket show car. Dodge took it back to the styling department and reimagined it as the Diamante.

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Photo Credit: Dodge

The car received a new front and rear end, a two-seat interior, different turbine-style wheels, and an attractive Targa top (via Motor Trend). With a 426 Hemi under the hood, the Diamante was fast. And with its custom side pipes exhaust, it sounded fantastic too. Dodge abandoned the idea of a Corvette fighter but the Diamante did attract lots of attention. The main reason was that it looked like something Dodge could build with little investment in a short period. Lots of Mopar fans were disappointed when they realized the Diamante was just not going to happen.

Dodge Viper Rt 10 Concept 2
Photo Credit: Dodge

Dodge Viper Concept

In 1989, the Dodge Viper Concept was revealed and the crowd at the Detroit Motor Show went wild over the aggressive but still elegant lines of this monster of a car powered by a prototype V10 engine. The public’s reaction was so overwhelming that Lee Iacocca, the Chrysler chairman, ordered the start of production (via Stellantis).

Dodge Viper Rt 10 Concept 3
Photo Credit: Dodge

Car lovers didn’t expect something like this from Chrysler, and when the news broke out about a new sports car, people and media rushed to Chrysler’s booth to witness the birth of a legend.

Pontiac Gto Concept 8
Photo Credit: GM

Pontiac GTO Concept

Pontiac spent decades producing Firebirds and Trans Ams, leaving the GTO to history books. The market was gone for such a specific muscle car like the original GTO at the time. But the true enthusiasts never forgot the timeless style and performance of the original muscle car (via Ultimate Car Page).

Pontiac Gto Concept 9
Photo Credit: GM

So Pontiac surprised everyone at the 1999 Detroit Auto Show with a fantastic concept called the GTO. It was a modern-looking, aggressive muscle car that drew a lot of attention from the crowd. The GTO Concept was a pure styling exercise but General Motors realized they still had a market niche to fill.

Cadillac Sixteen Concept
Photo Credit: GM

Cadillac Sixteen Concept

Each one of the concept cars featured here proved itself not only as a showstopper but also as an influential piece of modern art. However, in the case of Cadillac’s Sixteen Concept car, GM should put this car into a museum of contemporary art where it would be exhibited as one of the most elegant creations of the early 21st century (via Auto Evolution).

Cadillac V Sixteen Concept
Photo Credit: GM

The Sixteen Concept was revealed in 2003 as a super luxury sedan with a V16 engine under the butterfly-opening hood. The car was modern but felt classic and more in sync with legendary Cadillacs of the ’20s and ’30s than with contemporary models. The initial response was so good that Cadillac considered full-scale production but unfortunately, nothing happened.

Ford Shelby Gr 1 Concept
Photo Credit: Ford

Ford Shelby GR-1

In the early 2000s, Ford’s design department was on a retro-futuristic trip with many successful concepts that drew inspiration from the ’40s-’60s. However, the most appealing was the 2005 GR-1, a modern-day recreation of a classic sports coupe similar to the legendary Shelby Daytona Coupe (via Hagerty).

Ford Shelby Gr1 Concept
Photo Credit: Ford

With its bullet-shaped body of polished aluminum and a 6.4-liter V10 engine in front, the GR-1 was a functional concept with fantastic performance. However, Ford never had production plans and the Shelby GR-1 remained a concept car.

Pontiac El Catalina Safari Pickup 27
Photo Credit: Pinterest

Pontiac El Catalina

Were this ill-fated Pontiac pickup truck been built, the performance-crazed Pontiac team of engineers would have presented it with Super Duty, GTO Tri-Power, or Ram Air IV engine just to compete with the El Camino SS or Ranchero GT. So let’s talk about this rare model (via Hemmings).

Pontiac El Catalina Safari Pickup 82
Photo Credit: Pinterest

In 1960, Pontiac wanted to expand their portfolio and even thought of producing some sort of light delivery vehicle or truck. The closest thing GM had at that point was the Chevrolet El Camino based on a full-size Chevy car platform. Pontiac’s R&D department took the El Camino and mounted its own 1960 Catalina body, chopped and reshaped with the El Camino’s rear glass and truck bed. The finished concept was called El Catalina and was arguably more beautiful and elegant than El Camino. Interestingly, GM didn’t have anything against the project but Pontiac decided it wasn’t worth the investment since the market was very small and management didn’t want to gamble.

Mercury Messenger Concept
Photo Credit: Ford

Mercury Messenger

In 2003, Mercury presented an exciting concept, which was unlikely for a boring brand that sold rebadged Ford with more luxury items. The car was called the Messenger and it was a prototype of a two-door coupe sports car, which reminded many people of the classic Mercury Cougar of the 1960s (via Consumer Guide).

Mercury Messenger Concept 8
Photo Credit: Ford

The Messenger was based on the Mustang just like the Cougar was, was powered by the same 4.6-liter V8, but had a modern sequential six-speed gearbox and a futuristic interior and looks. As we all know, the Messenger never progressed beyond the concept car stage. Mercury continued to solider until recently when Ford decided to kill the brand.

Plymouth Xnr Concept Car 3
Photo Credit: Stellantis

Plymouth XNR

The 1960 XNR concept car was a fascinating piece of machinery. Not only was it the idea of Plymouth’s Corvette fighter but it was also a pet project of Chrysler’s famous designer, Virgil Exner. If you compare the name of the car (XNR) and the designer’s last name (Exner), you’ll get the idea (via Petersen).

Plymouth Xnr Concept Car 51
Photo Credit: Stellantis

On the other hand, XNR was one of the rare cars that utilized the idea of asymmetric design with heavy emphasis on the vehicle’s driver’s side. The most notable feature was the big fin behind the driver, which Plymouth claimed helped aerodynamics.

Ford Mustang Mach 2 Concept Car
Photo Credit: Ford

Ford Mustang Mach II

The success of the production Mustang gave Ford’s designers a chance to explore the sports car concept in any direction. As soon as the first redesign of the car appeared in 1967, Ford introduced the Mach 2 concept (via Ford Performance).

Ford Mustang Mach 2 Concept 6
Photo Credit: Ford

This was one of several cars with the Mach name which would later appear on the regular production version but the shape and layout were unique. The Mach 2 was a two-seater sports car with a long hood, short rear end, and a mid-engine configuration. The car was something like a more affordable version of the GT 40 race car, and it looked stunning with Shelby-style alloy wheels. Unfortunately, it was never produced and the Mach 2 only served as a car show item.

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Photo Credit: GM

Chevrolet Corvette SS

The Corvette SS was presented in 1957 as a fully functional racing car developed by Zora Arkus Duntov, the “Father of Corvette” himself. Duntov was a racer and always wanted to create the ultimate competition version. GM’s management allowed him to start a racing program and the SS was the first car introduced (via Car Styling).

1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept 108 1534195028
Photo Credit: Car and Driver

The Corvette SS featured many firsts and was a competent racing car, setting the track record at Sebring International Raceway. It was also a fist in a long line of racing Corvettes that dominated race tracks all over the world.

Ford Mustang Roadster Concept Car
Photo Credit: Ford

Ford Mustang I

The Mustang I concept was a big deal when it was introduced in late 1962 as a fully functional concept vehicle. This was the first time that the name Mustang was officially used, and right from the start, it was clear that the public loved the name. Its connection with the Wild West mythology was a great marketing gimmick (via The Henry Ford).

Photo Credit: Vista Pointe

The Mustang I was a small two-seat roadster with a rear-mounted V4 engine from Ford Europe and a modern wedge-shaped body made of aluminum. The original idea behind the concept was to develop a small sports car that could compete with European imports like the Triumph TR3 or MG A. Still, despite the favorable reaction from the enthusiasts, Ford decided to go the other way.

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