Fantasy and function entwined’: a General Motors Firebird I from 1953 . What would Bert think !
Nice cars other than x-fire
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Introduced in 1983 as a glorified expression of the popular wagons from the 1970s, the Dodge Caravan is widely recognized as the first modern minivan. It set a benchmark for versatility and value that still exists today.
However, one could argue it wasn’t the first production minivan in the world. Have you ever heard about the art deco-inspired 1936 Stout Scarab?
The Scarab was the brainchild of automotive and aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout, who also worked as a journalist. Inspired by futurist author, architect and designer Buckminster Fuller and his tear-drop creation, the Dymaxion, Stout envisaged the Scarab to be a 100-a-year production phenomenon in an age of uninspiring automotive design.
Unfortunately, the time-consuming coach-work and $5,000 price tag (almost $100,000 today) meant that the idea never gained the traction needed to become a success, and the Scarab died after just nine units were completed—making it one of the rarest vehicles ever.
Legend has it that one Scarab in particular was the scene of a meeting between Dwight Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle during World War II. It was later used by a circus owner to keep monkeys in the car while they toured Europe in the 1950s.
The restored Scarab will be on display at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace in the U.K. next month, where it is sure to bring an extra dash of style, rarity and intrigue to the event.
I definitely want one. Buckminister Fuller also is responsible for the geodesic dome like the big one at the 1967 Montreal Olympics .
However, one could argue it wasn’t the first production minivan in the world. Have you ever heard about the art deco-inspired 1936 Stout Scarab?
The Scarab was the brainchild of automotive and aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout, who also worked as a journalist. Inspired by futurist author, architect and designer Buckminster Fuller and his tear-drop creation, the Dymaxion, Stout envisaged the Scarab to be a 100-a-year production phenomenon in an age of uninspiring automotive design.
Unfortunately, the time-consuming coach-work and $5,000 price tag (almost $100,000 today) meant that the idea never gained the traction needed to become a success, and the Scarab died after just nine units were completed—making it one of the rarest vehicles ever.
Legend has it that one Scarab in particular was the scene of a meeting between Dwight Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle during World War II. It was later used by a circus owner to keep monkeys in the car while they toured Europe in the 1950s.
The restored Scarab will be on display at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace in the U.K. next month, where it is sure to bring an extra dash of style, rarity and intrigue to the event.
I definitely want one. Buckminister Fuller also is responsible for the geodesic dome like the big one at the 1967 Montreal Olympics .
It's a Timbs Special...Many scratch-built custom creations were fully backyard efforts with fundamental engineering based on production car technology, but Norman Timbs’ car was very different. So was Timbs. He was a skilled mechanical engineer who’d earlier designed the 1947, ’48 and ’49 Indy 500-winning Blue Crown Specials, driven by Bill Holland and Mauri Rose, and worked with the irrepressible Preston Tucker on the Tucker 48 Torpedo design. Timbs' was an unsual builder, and his amazing "Timbs Special" roadster was a creation was unlike any other.
Thankfully someone else gets it , lol .I so agree .... but I think I prefer the skirt
That was in 1903. Now 121 years later, the electric car is not simple , but it could be considered "sufficiently speedy for all practical purposes.
I'd like one for my backyard!
I enjoy my bike. Gets me to the mailbox or out to the barn.
I enjoy my bicycle, it also gets me to the mailbox and a good way around town, exercise included, no charge required (LOL).
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