Ford Gyron
Year: 1954
Debut at The Detroit Motor Show
Production cost: $40,000*
The two-wheeled Ford Gyron is another striking concept that debuted at the Detroit Motor Show. The Gyron was designed by Syd Mead and Alex Tremulis and displayed to the public in 1961. Mead and Tremulis implemented Louis Brennan’s theories of gyroscopic systems into the design.
The Gyron was made from fiberglass and, when stationary, had two small legs that kept the vehicle stable. The Gyron was purely a concept and was used for marketing purposes only, with no intention of being mass-produced.
BMW LOVOS
Year: 2009
Debut at: Geneva Auto Show
Production cost: $200,000*
The BMW Lovos was a student design project turned public concept car. Anne Forschner, a German design student developed the solar-powered car model. The word “Lovos” stands for Lifestyle of Voluntary Simplicity and contains 260 interchangeable, identical, and movable photovoltaic exterior plates that resemble fish scales in their design.
The car’s parts produce a voltage when they are exposed to sunlight and twelve of the plates collapse and form turbines when the vehicle is put into motion. Its exterior design is certainly not for everyone’s taste, but the inside is made to be comfortable.
eRinGo Concept Car
Year: 2009
Debut at Khodro Competition
Production cost: $6,800*
The eRinGo is one of the most risky designs as it resembles a giant drum. Yes, a drum. The vehicle was designed by Iranian artist Mohamed Ghezel and only has room for one passenger compartment in the center of the hub.
The motor powers three rings (which surround the compartment), two side wheels and a gyroscope to keep the eRinGo upright. Though it certainly isn’t suited for the average buyer, Ghezel’s designs have won two Khodro Awards from Iran’s largest carmaker.
Lincoln Futura
Year: 1955
Debut at: Chicago Auto Show
Production cost: $250,000*
The Lincoln Futura was a very expensive design to make (for 1955) as it took $250,000. Today that’s the equivalent of $2.4 million! The Futura first appeared at the Chicago Auto Show and later on the Today Show (then called Today) in March of 1955. The car’s design featured a plastic clear canopy top, large headlight pods, and giant tailfins—all novel features in the fifties.
The Futura was showcased within the auto show circuit throughout the mid-fifties before it became an icon as the base design for the Batmobile. George Barris customized the Futura’s design for the ’66 TV series.
Dodge Deora
Year: 1965
Debut at: 1967 Detroit Autorama
Production cost: $324,500*
Brothers Mike and Larry Alexander, commissioned the design for the Dodge Deora from Harry Bradley. The car was designed in 1965 and was assembled for two years before its debut in the 1967 Detroit Autorama. The Deora’s design was based on a 1965 A100 Dodge pickup truck that the Alexander brothers customized for their purposes.
One of the special highlights of the car was the 101 horsepower engine and three-speed manual transmission. The Deora ended up being quite a hit and won nine awards at the Autorama, including the vaunted Ridler Award. The gold truck was even transformed into a Hot Wheels car.