Year: 1960
Debut at: Concours d’Elegance
Production cost: $935,000*
The Plymouth XNR design was a team effort by Chrysler and Plymouth in 1960 to develop a sports roadster. Virgil Exner conceptualized the two-door vehicle in an effort to add it to the Plymouth family. The XNR roadster was thought to be a potential competitor to the Chevy Corvette or Ford Falcon. It was finally created after Chrysler’s sales dropped, which caused Chrysler to reexamine their brand.
The XNR got 250 horsepower and the engine was an inline-six, with a steel body mounted onto a Plymouth Valiant Chassis. Unfortunately, the vehicle was too costly to be sent to mass production.
Aurora Safety Car
Year: 1957
Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Production cost: $30,000*
A curious fact about the Aurora Safety Car was that it was actually created by a Catholic Priest! It was also the first safety concept vehicle ever created. Father Alfred Juliano, used church donations to fund the prototype, which at $30,000 was more expensive than the actual car (which was priced at $12,000-$13,000).
The Safety Car was made of fiberglass and built on a ’53 Buick chassis. The car was named a “safety” car because it came with seatbelts (not seen in most cars at the time), a padded instrument panel, a collapsible steering column, and a roll cage. The most novel feature about the car was that it was designed to absorb impacts. In fact, the seats would swivel and face rearwards during a collision.
Ferrari 512S Modulo
Year: 1970
Debut at: Geneva Motor Show
Production cost: $100,000*
Paolo Martin is responsible for the Ferrari 512S Modulo design. This space age-looking model debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 1970 and featured a canopy roof that allowed both driver and passenger to enter the cabin. The wheels were partially-covered, and the V12 under the hood reached up to 550 horsepower.
The Modulo’s low-profile structure aided in its speed capabilities. The top speed recorded for the Modulo was 220 miles per hour, and it could go from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds flat! The Modulo was of course not mass-produced but was sold privately to James Glickenhaus in 2014.
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.