Description
Author: David W. Temple, Hardbound, 207 Pages, CT-533, ISBN: 9781613251591
Chevy Corvette, GM Firebird III, Buick Wildcat II, GM Le Sabre, Cadillac Cyclone and many more.....
From 1949 to 1961 GM Motorama established itself as the premier automotive event. More than a mere car show, it showcased groundbreaking innovations and the breathtaking designs of Harley Earl and his team of engineers and stylists. It was indeed a cultural event that featured legendary concept cars, eye-popping displays, and visions of automotive splendor in the near future. It celebrated the upward surge of the American middle class during an era of explosive growth.
In addition, General Motors used the show to measure interest in various automotive trends, styles, and particular models. Some radical concept cars simply astounded the throngs of people at the shows while other prototypes garnered so much interest that they eventually went into production.
Automotive historian and GM Motorama expert David W. Temple has unearthed new information on this fabulous show, its famous cars, and found many new and unpublished photographs that offer a fresh look at GM's renowned show. Temple also provides a fascinating and thorough examination of the design, development, and assembly of these concept and show cars. He closely reviews the engines, transmissions, chassis, suspensions, interiors, and other aspects of the equipment packages on these cars.
The shows from each year, the celebrities, and the opulent displays all come to life within these pages. And of course, all of the famous cars are profiled, including the GM Le Sabre; Firebird I, II, and III; Buick Wildcat I, II, and III; Chevrolet Corvette; Cadillac Le Mans; and so many more.
No true car fan should be without this volume. It shines a spotlight on GM's finest automobiles of this era, illustrates the car culture, and offers a glimpse into a possible American future.
David W. Temple is an automotive historian and seasoned writer. As an avid researcher and expert of the GM Motorama show cars, he has amassed an incredible archive of information and photos on the subject. He has worked as a freelance automotive journalist and photographer for more than 28 years, and he has specialized in 1950s and 1960s American vintage cars.
He has penned many magazine articles, which have appeared in Cars & Parts, Collectible Automobile, Auto Restorer, and others. He also authored Full-Size Fords: 1955-1970.
Lavish, one-of-a-kind displays showcased the bold new concept cars, prototypes, and GM production cars. From 1949 to 1961, this iconic show unveiled these exciting models that defined an era, design styles, and a vision of the future. Nothing like it existed before or since and enthusiasts fondly remember this show and the cars it featured.
Author David W. Temple takes a revealing look at Motorama and celebrates its ground-breaking cars, the car culture of the show, and also offers a glance at GM's other big show, the Parade of Progress. GM Motorama shows were held across the country in New York, San Francisco, Miami, and other key cities in each American market as well as Canada. GM Motorama introduced such landmark cars to the world as the first Chevrolet Corvette, GM Le Sabre, Oldsmobile F-88, GM Firebird, and many more. Motorama also showcased the design style and concepts of legendary designer Harley Earl. New research has been gathered on these cars. And never-before-published photos provide a fresh, new perspective.
Motorama: GM's Legendary Show and Concept Cars offers a revealing and entertaining retrospective of this unique and glorious era in GM's history and in American automotive history.
