5-454: The Buick Century Cruiser was a dream car (concept car) created by Buick in 1969. It was conceived as being designed for automated highways , where steering wheels would be unnecessary. The vehicle offered swivel contour seats , a refrigerator , and a TV set . The computerized car would be programmed by punch cards with predetermined routes programmed by information provided by electric highway centers. The vehicle would be monitored by
10-402: A concept vehicle or show vehicle ) is a car made to showcase new styling or new technology. Concept cars are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not be produced . General Motors designer Harley Earl is generally credited with inventing the concept car, and did much to popularize it through its traveling Motorama shows of
15-590: A radar like device. The vehicle would also have a device to steer the vehicle manually as well as controlling speed. The canopy would slide open for easy cockpit access. It was related to the Firebird IV concept car and shares an appearance with the GM-X Stiletto . This article about a classic post-war automobile produced between 1945 and 1975 is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Concept car A concept car (also known as
20-422: A working drivetrain and accessories. The state of most concept cars lies somewhere in between and does not represent the final product. A very small proportion of concept cars are functional to any useful extent, and some cannot move safely at speeds above 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). Inoperative " mock-ups " are usually made of wax, clay, metal, fiberglass, plastic, or a combination thereof. If drivable,
25-868: The 1950s. Concept cars never go into production directly. In modern times, all would have to undergo many changes before the design is finalized for the sake of practicality, safety , regulatory compliance , and cost. A "production-intent" prototype , as opposed to a concept vehicle, serves this purpose. Concept cars are often radical in engine or design . Some use non-traditional, exotic, or expensive materials, ranging from paper to carbon fiber to refined alloys . Others have unique layouts , such as gullwing doors , three or five (or more) wheels , or special abilities not usually found on cars. Because of these often impractical or unprofitable leanings, many concept cars never get past scale models or even drawings in computer design . Other more traditional concepts can be developed into fully drivable (operational) vehicles with
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