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I
have a fascination with older car
designs of the future. From the
'40's to '60's, people thought that
by now, here past the year 2000,
we would have flying cars, nuclear
cars, cars that could hover. Unfortunately,
none of this has come about. We
still drive cars that are not much
different than the ones we had from
the 1950's. A real bummer.
This is a brochure I have for a
Ford Seattleite. It was show
cased at the 1963 Worlds Fair,
where this brochure was given out.
It was a non-life size static replica,
never meant to be driven. I believe
I read somewhere that it was a 1/38
scale mockup. (?)
Printed on the actual brochure
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"Advanced stylists are not
restricted in their "dreaming"
to designs based on existing facilities
or scientific achievements. Unlimited
freedom to speculate is the key
to progressive automobile styling.
A styling experiment like Seattle-ite
XXI, with its many forward-looking
features, could lead to exciting
new concepts of automobile styling,
comfort and safety."
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"This
unique styling dream car envisions
four steerable front wheels in Ford
Motor Company's Advanced Styling Studio,
would feature such advanced concepts
as a travel programming computer,
variable density glass, jalousie windows,
and finger tip steering.
Seattle-ite XXI is an example
of the kind of exploration that could
lead to important break throughs in
automotive styling and engineering.
Such a vehicle might be powered by
fuel cells or a compact nuclear device.
The entire front of the car would
"break away" from the passenger
compartment in order to permit conversions
from an economical power capsule of
perhaps 60 HP , to a high speed, transcontinental
unit in excess of 400HP. This concept
would allow many styling treatments
for the trailing vehicle that would
house passengers in air-conditioned,
noiseless comfort." |
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"The
entire front end of Seattle-ite
XXI would uncouple from the
passenger compartment and an optional
power unit could be quickly installed.
All controls would be conducted
through a flexible coupling that
would simply plug into the passenger
compartment.
Four front wheels would turn in
tandem. Ford stylists believe this
would greatly enhance tracking,
traction, and braking efficiency.
Fingertip steering and a travel
programming computer are among the
interior features of the Seattle-ite.
Virtually effortless fingertip steering
would allow accurate "zeroing
in" at all speeds. A viewing
screen would show engine performance
characteristics, road and weather
conditions, position of the vehicle
in relation to an automatically
rolling road map, and estimated
time of arrival at any selected
designation.
Jalousie windows could improve
ventilation and reduce noise. At
left is a close-up view of the windows
in a closed position; at right they
are open.
Variable density glass around the
passenger compartment would give
cool, diffused light on the interior,
eliminate glare and permit more
efficient air-conditioning."
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This
is actually a forced perspective photo
I believe. The woman is standing a
few feet behind the model to make the
car look full scale.
It is only a model, about 1/38 scale.
Four
wheels in front is not that novel, consider
the LXG
car from the recent movie.
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Chrysler
Concept Cars
1940-1970
Corvette:
The Exotic Experimental Cars
Pontiac
: Dream Cars, Show Cars, & Prototypes 1928-1998 Photo Album
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