5 Concept Cars Worth Recreating

George Barris was front and center at the Art Center Car Classic this past Sunday, waxing poetic about the glory days of building the Batmobile’s creation for the 1966 TV series. Looking over the cartoonish crime-fighter’s car, I couldn’t help but think about the far more brilliant vehicle that was sacrificed to create it: The Lincoln Futura concept car. My first words to a friend at the show were, “How cool would it be of someone made an exact replica of the Futura instead of another Batmobile?” The mind then goes to all the other stunning mid 50s concept cars that were crushed after their display and promotional cycles were considered over. At that point they were just scrap vehicles and rolling liabilities taking up storage space, hence many ended up being destroyed. If there were just five influential concept vehicles that I would pick to be faithfully recreated 100% accurately and put back in action, these would be the ones for me:

1. 1955 Lincoln Futura

This car is stunning for a number of reasons, including how advanced it felt for ’55, the grace of the hinged twin plexiglass and chrome canopies, and the mako shark-inspired nose.I would take this Lincoln original over the Batmobile any day.

2. 1956 Chrysler Norseman

The famous Ghia-built concept that never made it off the boat from Italy, the Norseman was aboard the Andrea Doria when she was struck by the Stockholm on the night of July 25, 1956. My favorite feature of this car was the massive cantilever roof, designed to eliminate the need for A pillars and provide a wrap around view.

3. 1955 Oldsmobile Delta 88

I’ve posted about the beautiful car before,  and I still love it. Something about the proportions and the stance, coupled with the fantastic bumper and body trim just work.

4. 1955 GMC L’Universelle

The coolest van ever created, bar none. How about those Nomad-inspired b pillars and roofline, coupled with the function of flip open sides and a super low chassis? This would be the ultimate show car hauler or Bonneville pusher. I bet Gene Winfield would have made this one if Detroit didn’t.

5. 1955 Corvette Impala

As the name implies, this one was sort of a mash up of Corvette and Impala in a single 5 passenger coupe. It’s a smooth body shape with a pleasing beltline. It kinda reminds me of a Bill Cushenberry or Darryl Starbird custom for some reason.