10 Futuristic American Concept Cars That Defined The 1950s And 60s

Summary

• The concept cars of the 1950s and 1960s were heavily inspired by advancements in the space and aviation industries, with tailfins being a prominent design feature to emulate the look of rockets.
• The 1951 GM LeSabre, with its flowing exterior style and powerful 3.5-liter V-8 engine, represents the bold and cutting-edge nature of concept cars from this era.
• The 1954 Lincoln Futura, known for its wild tailfins and all-glass panoramic roof, not only defined the style and optimism of the 1950s but also became iconic as the Batmobile in the 1960s.

The 1950s and 1960s were times of rapid and endless innovation. With the Second World War coming to a close, the economy started to boom in the U.S. thanks to a massive increase in consumer spending, subsequently leading to more funds being pumped into countless different industries. the automotive industry was one that saw some of the biggest growth, and with all eyes on the future, some truly staggering concept cars were developed to represent what people could expect in the coming decades.

The concept cars designed in these two post-war decades were heavily inspired by other industries that also benefited from technological advancements. The space and aviation industries were the two that saw incredible progress, finding their way into almost every element of concept cars. The most prominent inspiration was tailfins, which were used to emulate the look of rockets, which at the time were the most impressive feat of engineering.

Alongside the design of these cars, what actually powers them was another area that was able to be explored further. Here are 10 of the era-defining concept cars from the ‘50s and ‘60s.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Hagerty. The entries in this list are arranged by model year.

10 1951 GM LeSabre

An Everyday Car Designed for the Future

A car that came at the very beginning of the decade is one that perhaps resembles a fighter jet the most, which was a key aspect of the 1951 GM LeSabre’s philosophy. With the Jet Age beginning, one aircraft that led the charge was the ‘51 F-86 Sabre, which inspired the name for the luxury car originally proposed as designer Henry Earl’s personal car. The size of American cars famously reached new territory in the ‘50s, with the LeSabre concept most definitely embodying that.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Audrain Automobile Museum)

The car follows a flowing exterior style to emulate the F-86 Sabre, with the design of the iconic being applied to the front-end grille of the LeSabre. Despite being the bold, cutting-edge statement, the LeSabre was still envisioned to be a usable road car. Under the hood was a 3.5-liter V-8, producing 335 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque, which for its time was mightily impressive considering the sheer size of the car.

Most Notable Features

• The front grille of the car resembles the nose/intake of the F-86 fighter jet.
• The 3.5-liter V-8 produced a great deal of power for its time, delivering 335 horsepower.

9 1953 Chevrolet Corvette EX52

The Concept that Started it All

When it comes to the most influential American cars, the Chevrolet Corvette will always be near the top of the list. With the majority of American cars growing in size, the first-ever Corvette concept, the EX52, became an instant hit with the public through its class, elegance, and ‘30s and ’40s-inspired design features. The Corvette EX52 debuted as a ‘Dream Car’ at GM’s Motorama auto show.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from MotorTrend and other various sources)

The first Corvette production model remained largely the same as the EX52 prototype due to it being so well-received. The model actually moved to production just six months after being unveiled. Fitted with a 235 cubic-inch inline-six that was originally nicknamed the Cougar, it was changed to Corvette before the first full-scale model was shown at Motorama in ‘53. The engine produced 150 horsepower and 223 pound-feet of torque.

Most Notable Features

• The smaller, sleek European-esque exterior style was an instant hit with the public.
• Its panoramic windshield added to both the appearance and practicality.
• The rear end of the car is one of the most distinct features, including circular taillights on the end of the tailfins.

8 1954 Lincoln Futura

Defining the Style and Optimism of the 1950s

Moving back to the large full-size cars that defined the ‘50s, the Lincoln Futura was the ultimate display of what Lincoln was able to achieve, and the route they anticipated the future of automotive design to go. The inspiration for the ‘54 Lincoln Futura is perhaps one of the most unique, with designer Bill Schmidt getting the idea after diving with sharks.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from various sources)

The tailfins are as wild as ever on the Futura, with striking, hard edges being used throughout the car’s design. The all-glass roof is another standout feature of the car, taking shape as an entirely panoramic double-dome canopy. Alongside the cutting-edge push-button transmission, the Futura was fitted with a 368 cubic-inch V-8 producing 300 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. Most famously, the Futura hit the big screens as the ‘66 iteration of the Batmobile.

Most Notable Features

• The double-dome canopy was a unique feature for the Futura, providing an entirely new cabin experience.
• The huge tailfins are a perfect example of how popular this design element was in the ’50s.
• The car went on to feature as one of the most iconic live-action Batmobiles of all time.

7 1954 Ford La Tosca

Taking the Classic ’50s Design Style to New Heights

Another ‘50s concept car that was heavily inspired by the Jet Age is the 1954 Ford La Tosca. As with the Lincoln Futura and the GM LeSabre, the La Tosca adheres to the traditional full-size philosophy that took over the U.S. at the time but includes countless unique design ideas that make the Ford concept car, truly one-of-a-kind.

Performance Specifications

The Ford La Tosca puts a strong emphasis on triangular shapes, which is particularly apparent with the canted tailfins and front grille. The reversing lights were also designed to replicate fighter jet tubes. Regarding how you actually move the La Tosca, it was driven via a remote control. Unsurprisingly, the concept car never made it to the road, it was simply created to showcase the potential of the industry’s future.

Most Notable Features

• The canted tailfins are an entirely new take on the traditional tailfins, creating a perfectly striking overall image.
• It was driven by a remote control, being designed to showcase the future of the company’s design ideas.
• The massive front grille strongly resembles shark teeth, creating a sleek yet aggressive front end.

6 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket

Reason For Ranking

As you can gather from the name, the ‘56 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket was created to reflect the best design aspects of both the Space Race and the Jet Age. With its sole intent of being an experimental car, the Golden Rocket was smaller than most concept cars of the decade, with aerodynamics being the front-running field of study for the car.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from various sources)

The element of the car that resembles the rockets of its time is the rear bumper, with two silver domes on either side of the rear which creates the bullet-style overall design. Of Course, shark fins were also included towards the rear, with the nose of the car featuring a striking triangular vertical grille. The Golden Rocket was powered by a 324 cubic-inch V-8, producing 275 horsepower.

Most Notable Features

• The Golden Rocket is one of the most distinctive concepts, mainly thanks to its vertical triangular front grille.
• The car follows a streamlined design philosophy, emulating that of a spaceship or a jet, especially with the two silver domes at the rear.

5 1956 GM Firebird II

Embodying the Space Shuttle Design Like No Other Concept Car

Without a doubt, one of the most radical concept cars of the ‘50s came in the form of the ‘56 GM Firebird II. Firebird II pushed the boundaries of automotive design and technology like nothing before, featuring a unique, aerodynamic-focused body with a turbine engine that could run on various fuels, including gasoline and kerosene.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from various sources)

As well as the Firebird II also showcased advanced features like a guidance system that could follow an electronic wire embedded in the road. Like most concept cars from this decade, the Firebird was greatly influenced by the Space Race and Jet Age, being as close to a rocket ship as a car could get.

Most Notable Features:

• The Firebird II featured a vertical center wing, replicating the wing that featured on space shuttles.
• It was the first GM car to use brake discs on all four wheels, along with independent suspension.
• The cutting-edge gas turbine engine is a sign of the endless innovation that took place in the ’50s.

4 1957 Ford Nucleon

Reason For Ranking

A car that opened an entirely new door for the automotive industry was the ‘57 Ford Nucleon. The idea behind the concept is still something that’s advanced by today’s standards, with it being powered by a small nuclear reactor that could theoretically power the Nucleon for 5,000 miles without the need to stop.

Performance Specifications

The design of the Ford Nucleon is equally as staggering, coming in proportions that hadn’t ever been seen before. Ford’s initial idea for the Nucleon was to have it stretch 16.7 feet long and 6.5 feet wide, but only 3.5 feet high. This would have made the Nucleon slightly shorter in height than the most recent road-legal Ford GT, and just two inches shorter in length than the McLaren Speedtail.

Most Notable Features

• The Nucleon was powered by small nuclear reactors to show how efficient nuclear engines could be for cars of the future.
• The car was almost as long as the McLaren Speedtail, and shorter in height than the latest Ford GT road car.

3 1961 Chrysler TurboFlite

A Unique Aero-Focused Design Combined with an Innovative Powertrain

There are very few concept cars that epitomize the futuristic design ideas of the early 1960s like the ‘61 Chrysler TurboFlite. With its sleek and aerodynamic body, the TurboFlite once again captured the essence of the Space Age, as with the most prominent concepts of the ‘50s. The car featured a distinctive glass bubble canopy that automatically lifted when the door handle was pulled, with the front end of the car being significantly reduced in features to optimize airflow.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from various sources)

Another key design element of the TurboFlite was its unique vertical tailfins, which connected to each other to create a distinct rear wing. This design choice not only added to the car’s futuristic aesthetic but also greatly assisted aerodynamic performance. The TurboFlite was powered by a cutting-edge gas turbine engine, further emphasizing its advanced and forward-thinking nature.

Most Notable Features

• The TurboFlite also features a turbine engine, similar to the GM Firebird II
• The front end of the car has the headlights embedded into the grille to maximize airflow.

2 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car

An Understated Yet Groundbreaking Concept

The ‘63 Chrysler Turbine Car is without a doubt one of the most innovative concepts of the ‘60s, standing out in a way that most other concepts don’t. While the car was definitely a futuristic take on automotive design, it still closely resembles the production cars of its time. The idea of connecting the front to the rear with sleek lines is included still, with further design elements such as jet-engine style taillights.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Car and Driver, and various sources)

The Chrysler Turbine Car’s headline feature, however, was its gas turbine engine. This set the concept apart from conventional internal combustion engines, allowing the car to run on a variety of fuels, as with the GM Firebird II and the Chrysler TurboFlite. The turbine engine was designed to provide a smooth and quiet ride, with impressive acceleration and power.

Although the gas turbine engines had their challenges, such as high fuel consumption and complex maintenance requirements, the Chrysler Turbine Car demonstrated the potential for alternative propulsion systems in the automotive industry.

Most Notable Features

• The turbine engine was the epitome of the engine concept, improving on those from the ’50s.
• The design of the car was fairly simple for a concept but still included futuristic elements inspired by the Space Race, such as the jet engine-style taillights.

1 1963 Ford Seattle-Ite XXI

Pushing the Boundaries on Every Single Front of the Industry

The 1963 Ford Seattle-Ite XXI is considered by many to be one of the most impactful concept cars of all time, fittingly debuting at the 1962 World Fair in New York. Firstly, the design of the Seattle-Ite XXI resembled the concepts of the ‘50s, with its incredibly long wheelbase, this time around having space for four front wheels. The rear bumper of the car featured an inward triangular design, with four large exhaust pipes closely resembling jet engines.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from various sources)

Despite looking the part of a car from a sci-fi movie, the real magic of the Ford Seattle-Ite was found inside, with the cabin and engine being packed with innovative, cutting-edge tech. The car featured four steerable front wheels, fingertip steering, and a travel programming computer. Perhaps the most impressive and optimistic feature of the Seattle-Ite, however, was the interchangeable fuel cell power units, supporting Ford’s earlier Nucleon concept in promoting a nuclear-powered future.

Most Notable Features

• The car features a total of six wheels, with the front four all being able to steer.
• Inside, there was endless cutting-edge tech, including fingertip steering.
• The exhaust pipes closely resemble jet engines.