In 1938, former General Motors designer Harley Earl invented the "concept car," a prototype automobile that stretched the boundaries of engineering and imagination. This 1951 GM LeSabre XP-8 and other concept cars weren't mass produced. They were used as marketing tools to generate buzz and boost sales. Click through the gallery for more of Earl's amazing concepts.
LeSabre XP-8 —
In 1938, former General Motors designer Harley Earl invented the "concept car," a prototype automobile that stretched the boundaries of engineering and imagination. This 1951 GM LeSabre XP-8 and other concept cars weren't mass produced. They were used as marketing tools to generate buzz and boost sales. Click through the gallery for more of Earl's amazing concepts.
courtesy Michael Furman/High Museum of Art
Buick unveiled Earl's Centurion XP-301 at the 1956 Motorama car show. It featured something decades ahead of its time: a rear-mounted safety camera for backing up. Inside, the camera can be monitored on a 4-by-6-inch dashboard screen.
Centurion XP-301 —
Buick unveiled Earl's Centurion XP-301 at the 1956 Motorama car show. It featured something decades ahead of its time: a rear-mounted safety camera for backing up. Inside, the camera can be monitored on a 4-by-6-inch dashboard screen.
Michael Furman
Earl's "rolling rocket" Firebird I XP-21 turned heads in 1953.
Firebird I XP-21 —
Earl's "rolling rocket" Firebird I XP-21 turned heads in 1953.
Michael Furman
Earl's 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74 included a radar-based anti-collision system tucked inside its cone-shaped "dagmar" headlights.
Cadillac Cyclone XP-74 —
Earl's 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74 included a radar-based anti-collision system tucked inside its cone-shaped "dagmar" headlights.
Michael Furman
Earl's 1954 Buick Wildcat II fiberglass concept car was a chrome-lovers dream. It featured a unique chrome-plated front-end suspension. Its fenders were lined with chrome panels.
Buick Wildcat II —
Earl's 1954 Buick Wildcat II fiberglass concept car was a chrome-lovers dream. It featured a unique chrome-plated front-end suspension. Its fenders were lined with chrome panels.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images
The General Motors Futurliner, also designed by Earl, weighed about 30,000 pounds. GM built 12 Futurliners to carry animated exhibits across the United States for a GM road show called Parade of Progress during the 1940s and '50s. A Futurliner recently sold at auction for $4 million.
GM Futurliners —
The General Motors Futurliner, also designed by Earl, weighed about 30,000 pounds. GM built 12 Futurliners to carry animated exhibits across the United States for a GM road show called Parade of Progress during the 1940s and '50s. A Futurliner recently sold at auction for $4 million.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images