- Jun 11, 2014
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Founding Member
The General Motors Firebird I,II,III, and IV were futuristic examples of the direction in styling and technologies being studied at GM and to showcase the capabilities of the manufacturer. These Firebirds shown were not associated with the Pontiac Firebird developed for production in the late 60's. All four concept cars were turbine powered. These cars were developed under the guidance of Harley Earl, the brainchild of the secret "Opal Project", later named the Chevrolet Corvette. Harley Earl turned the American auto industry on it's ear.
1953 Firebird I- It's proper name was the Firebird XP21
This thing reminds me of Craig Breedloves's rocket car Spirit of America
1956 Firebird II-a 4 seat family design
Body was fabricated from titanium-primary fuel was kerosene
1958 Firebird III- titanium skin 200 hp turbine hybrid
featured cruise-control, anti-lock brakes and air conditioning
it included an automated guidance sustem (Google?) and joy stick steering
1964 Firebird IV-GM called this the XP790
Here shown at the New York World's Fair
Here's a real good background story on these cars loaded with information and a lot of pictures.
http://myautoworld.com/gm/history/gm-firebird-53-59/gm-firebird-53-59.html
Harley Earl link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley_Earl
1953 Firebird I- It's proper name was the Firebird XP21
This thing reminds me of Craig Breedloves's rocket car Spirit of America
1956 Firebird II-a 4 seat family design
Body was fabricated from titanium-primary fuel was kerosene
1958 Firebird III- titanium skin 200 hp turbine hybrid
featured cruise-control, anti-lock brakes and air conditioning
it included an automated guidance sustem (Google?) and joy stick steering
1964 Firebird IV-GM called this the XP790
Here shown at the New York World's Fair
Here's a real good background story on these cars loaded with information and a lot of pictures.
http://myautoworld.com/gm/history/gm-firebird-53-59/gm-firebird-53-59.html
Harley Earl link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley_Earl