Show car

Show car

A show car, sometimes called a dream car, is a custom-made automobile created specifically for public display, rather than sale. They are shown at auto shows and other exhibitions.

Show cars generally fall into one or more of three categories:
* Cars intended to preview an upcoming new production model or redesigned model, either to assess or to whet the public appetite. Such preview show cars may be thinly disguised or slightly retrimmed versions of the eventual production model, painted in bold or unusual colors or fitted with unusual trim to attract attention.
* Cars intended to assess the public reaction to a type of model, or a particular styling theme or feature. A prominent example was the 1938 Buick Y-Job, a custom-built Buick created by General Motors styling chief Harley Earl for his own use; although it was never produced, it contained features such as hidden headlights that later became GM styling features. Such cars typically are not intended for production themselves, but may become the basis of a production model if demand is high enough. The Dodge Viper is notable example of the latter.
* Styling exercises built to reward successful designers, letting them blow off steam with a design more exciting than workaday, "cooking" sedans and trucks. Such exercises also serve to draw attention to the manufacturer's more ordinary products.

History

The creation of show cars dates back to at least the 1920s, but reached its zenith in the United States in the 1950s, when most of the major U.S. automakers began to exhibit wild, fanciful dream cars. The preeminent dream car maker was GM, which displayed its work at a series of traveling Motorama shows, mounted at tremendous expense, but with considerable value in publicity. In the 1960s American show cars became substantially more mundane, slight variations on typical production models (with a few exceptions, like Chevrolet's Mako Shark prototype), and the practice of building them fell on hard times during the 1970s, when automotive whimsy was a low priority compared to safety, emissions control, and fuel economy. The practice was revived in the 1980s, and remains strong today both in the U.S. and abroad.

ee also

*Concept car
*Halo vehicle


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Car Talk — Genre Automotive repair/advice, Humor Running time ca. 50 min Country United States …   Wikipedia

  • Car and Track — was America s first nationally syndicated auto racing and car test television show. Produced by Car and Track Productions, it was hosted by Bud Lindemann, a famous race commentator of the time.It is believed to have run from 1967 to 1975, with 80 …   Wikipedia

  • Car Accident of Marika Gombitová — Participants Andrea B (driver) Marika Gombitová Location 43rd km of D1 Highway near Podivín, Břeclav District, South Moravian Region, ČSSR Date Dece …   Wikipedia

  • Car audio — Car audio/video (car AV), auto radio, mobile audio, 12 volt and other terms are used to describe the sound or video system fitted in an automobile. While 12 volt audio and video systems are also used, marketed, or manufactured for marine,… …   Wikipedia

  • Show's Just Begun — Studio album by MC Mong Released April 17, 2008 Recorded October 2007–April 2008 Genre K …   Wikipedia

  • Car Booty — is a British television programme shown on BBC One as part of their daytime schedule, and is currently showing on Freeview channel, UKTV Bright Ideas.The concept of the show is for a family or group who are in need of funds to sell items from… …   Wikipedia

  • Show Me How You Burlesque — Single par Christina Aguilera extrait de l’album Burlesque Sortie Janvier 2011 Enregistrement 2009 2010 Durée 2:59 Genre R B Soul Pop Jazz …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Car classification — is subjective since many vehicles fall into multiple categories or do not fit well into any. Not all car types are common in all countries and names for the same vehicle can differ by region. Furthermore, some descriptions may be interpreted… …   Wikipedia

  • Car wash — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda «Car wash» Sencillo de Rose Royce del álbum Car Wash Publicación 1976 Formato 7 vinilo G …   Wikipedia Español

  • Car and Driver — is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. [ [http://www.magazine.org/circulation/circulation trends and magazine handbook/22175.cfm] Circulation Trends Handbook] It is owned by Hachette Filipacchi… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”