Brace yourself. Detroit is coming. Car blogs will be bursting with news and hot takes from frosty southeast Michigan as the North American International Auto Show opens on Monday. Every utterance from any executive will be tweeted, every statement will be parsed, and every press release will be copied and pasted.
Naturally, TTAC will be there in force. And while the numerous reveals of production-ready cars will be the highlight for most, I’m personally looking forward to the concepts. The weird, the funky, or even the batshit crazy — those far-from-production ideas are what make the major auto shows great.
Plenty of oddballs have graced show stands over the years, many of which have hinted at future designs, but never sold in their own forms. Very few — the original Viper comes to mind — were remarkably unchanged from their show form, but there are plenty of cars relegated to locked hangars, never to see the light of day.
Those kooky vehicles deserve a place in the sun, so I’m giving them a chance. Which concept, new or old, would you like to see on the road?
My pick: The Dodge Razor — a tiny sports car, co-branded with the maker of those cheap aluminum scooters that were everywhere 15 years ago, and built with a similar mentality. Rear-wheel drive and lightweight — I’ve seen mention of 250 hp and 2,500 pounds — it was also meant to be cheap.
How cheap? $14,500 in 2002, to be precise, which translates to about $19,500 today, is dirt cheap for a legitimate sports car. The 2002 NAIAS was my first Detroit show, and I was spellbound when I stumbled into the Dodge booth. The Neon SRT-4 was there, too, but a real sports car was compelling.
Ford’s GT was revealed at the same show, but it wasn’t on my radar. I could potentially afford the Razor, unlike nearly everything else on the floor.
It wasn’t to be. Chrysler had a few financial crises to weather, and cutting a low-margin, low-volume sports car was obvious even to them. I consoled myself the next summer with an old Miata, which still haunts my garage to this day. It’s a sale that could have gone to a Dodge dealer. Sigh.
So, which concept did you lust over? Which one would you buy if you had the chance?
[Image: Zombieite/Flickr]
Buick Avista. And to think they could have made it relatively easily, having the platform and drivetrain already. But then, that’s GM for you.
The same could be said of the handsome Buick Avenir 4-door sedan.
To me, the Buick Avista and Avenir are just the latest example of a manufacturer using a concept car to forecast the design of soon-to-be production car. Note use of the world design. Because while the Avista clearly shows the look of the forthcoming Regal and the Avenir the new Lacrosse, we all know that the concepts were based on RWD platforms. Use of the RWD platform all but guaranteed cover pictures on the buff magazines and lots of hits on enthusiast websites with excitement over the next great RWD performance car. Funny how a production car hits the market shortly thereafter looking very much like the previous concept car but with a more market appealing FWD platform. Given the development time for a new car and that the design is locked in well in advance of Job1, there is no way the manufacturer’s intent is really the RWD car when the production car is on sale so soon after the concept. I’d also point to the 2003 Ford 427 (2006 Fusion) and 2007 Ford Interceptor (2010 Taurus) and even the 2002 Lincoln Continental was nothing more than a preview of the 2006 Zepher as more evidence of the same.
I would sell everything I have to be able to get a Chrysler Chronos with a modern V10 or even the 6.4L V8.
Yeah, not bad..though I prefer the Chrysler ME412:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_ME_Four-Twelve
We have a winner. This would have been an awesome car.
High on my list, too. Just touched that car couple months ago at FCA HQ’s design studio.
I also liked CIEN (not CieL) – almost cut from same cloth as ME412.
And there was a M-B concept I really liked. Name escapes me.
yep, I vote for the ME412. Unfortunately that’s the concept that enraged so many people in Stuttgart that they brought the hammer down *hard* on the Chrysler Group.
I saw the Chronos live in New York in ’98. Probably the coolest thing I had ever seen back then. I guess the 300 was kind of a squashed version of it.
For me, it’s the Chrysler Atlantic. So, so pretty.
The Razor looks very ugly and cheap. The design is so blocky, the headlights look like they were drawn by a child, the roofline is laughable, it’s just plain ugly. I’m with ericb91, I would want the Chrysler Atlantic.
Even the name is classy.
2007 Ford Interceptor concept.
Oh, that was a good one.
Not that I don’t dig the production Continental, but that’s what it should have been.
Conti should be the MKR with a different face.
2007 had both the Interceptor and Lincoln MKR concepts. Two products that I wish were built. The economic downturn really jacked stuff up. Instead we got the Taurus and MKS.
Wasn’t the MKR originally supposed to be on a RWD platform?
Yes. Both the MKR and Interceptor were sort of stretched D2C Mustangs.
I’ve got two: Nissan’s IDx (remember it looked like a 510?) and that little rear-drive coupe Chevy was showing off a couple years ago (Code something, thoughts were that it could be a new Chevelle).
I want to say both cars were put together because of the interest in the Toyobaru twins, but those cars didn’t exactly set the sales charts on fire.
Code 130R – yeah, that was pretty badass.
Of course, the IDx was brilliant, too.
+1 IDx
I was hoping that they would have built one or the other, but alas, they still remain a fantasy.
Shame on all of us for thinking these would see the light of day. The last non-Z RWD Nissan car in America was the 240sx in 1998. What were we thinking?
And don’t worry, the Z will be gone soon too.
But hey, at least we get the Qashqai.
Dodge Hornet.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Hornet
I still think this would work, FCA could utilize the 500L chassis for this.
Do it Sergio!
I’d forgotten about this one..pretty cool.
There’s probably another one if I go a bit further back, but the relatively recent demise of the IDx hurts bad. Just a shame.
The Toyota S-FR seemed pretty cool too.
A Kia Optima wagon could have been my first Korean car
They actually built the Kia Optima wagon. They just won’t bring it to North America.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-kia-optima-sportswagon-first-drive-review
For me it’s a tie between the Chrysler Firepower (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Firepower) and the Volkswagen BlueSport concept (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Concept_BlueSport)
BlueSport: TDI Boxster. Sexy, but dirty in hindsight.
Eh. Just stuff the Golf R engine in there then.
I was going to go with the Bluesport too. Or the Dodger Copperhead. I guess I have a thing for roadster concepts.
Easy, Elmiraj.
That would’ve been a great Cadillac flagship model.
In a way, the Elmiraj did make it to production…lots of its’ elements ended up in the ATS coupe.
And many elements of the MKR made it to the MKS….
…and looked foolish on the Taurus platform. That car needed to be long and low.
Still, I wouldn’t mind an Ecoboost MKS. Underrated car, if you ask me.
I own it’s wagon/crossover sibling, so I agree. If I was driving longer distances for work, I’d probably look at a used one.
Yeah, I like the look of the ATS, but it’s not imposing like the Elmiraj, and I have seen the Elmiraj in person. It’s significantly larger than the ATS, almost 2 feet longer. Now if they’d apply the Elmiraj styling more closely to the CT6, and offer a 2-door version….
If we are really dreaming here then give me the Elmiraj body with the engine from the Cadillac Sixteen, call it CT16 if you must, but there is your flagship…
yes the elmiraj or the ciel or ceil whatever. how about the sixteen?
for some reason i am drawn to the cadillac concepts. must be getting old.
Chrysler Atlantic, classic beauty!
Yes, totally.
Renault fiftie. And of course: new-isetta.com
Not everything innovative is invented by and within the car industry.
2002 Continental Concept.
Give this man a 6.0L V12 prize.
As much as I am happy the Conti is back, I look and the images in Wikipedia and think, still….
Boom
Agreed, that was a beautiful car.
Nissan IDx and Dodge Demon.
http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Nissan-IDx-NISMO-concept-placement-626×382.jpg
http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/267446/dodge-demon-concept-photo-94435-s-429×262.jpg
I had my checkbook out and ready to go for both of those.
Honorable mention goes to the Chevy Volt concept. Boy, what a letdown that was.
My favorite the last 20 years was the Chevy Bel Air concept by far.
Next would be all the coupes like the Camaro and Challenger that appeared as pillarless hardtops, but alas, when produced had a B pillar and fixed side glass.
No sale, I’m sorry to say.
The Kappa that never was:
2004 Chevy Nomad
http://www.supercars.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2004_Chevrolet_NomadConcept1.jpg
Yes. Instead, typically stupid GM built two roadsters that would compete against each other.
Any of the VW microbus concepts, well minus the electric one… give me a dirty diesel any day.
Only if you don’t value your knees!
Unless, of course, the concepts involved substantial front crush distance.
I really like some of the ones that are listed already. I would add:
1999 Chrysler Citadel
1999 Dodge Charger
1970 AMC AMX/3: 6 roadworthy cars made before AMC cancelled the project.
1963 Chrysler Turbine: A sharp looking car even if fitted with a conventional IC engine for production, and Chrysler needed a personal luxury coupe!
1955 Chrysler Falcon: viable competitor to Corvette or 1st gen T-bird.
I can’t stop. Just thought of two more:
1990 Magna Torrero: high performance luxury SUV ahead of its time
2008 BMW M1 Homage
Just to bug Corey, I’m going to break the rules and talk about a vehicle that should have made it from concept to production verbatim: Pontiac Aztek.
But, you say, Pontiac actually produced an Aztek. But the production model was a heavily watered down version of the concept vehicle, which was actually a pretty cool (and innovative) design.
http://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/pontiac-aztek-concept-1999/
If that concept had made it to production intact, I’m convinced it’d have sold. At a minimum, it wouldn’t have been an embarrassment for the brand. Considering the role the Aztek debacle played in Pontiac’s eventual demise, watering down the Aztek concept was an incredibly stupid decision on their part.
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/images/aztek3.jpg
But seriously, the concept is better looking. The front end looks better rounded instead of squared off.
You’ve clearly been speaking with our managing editor.
I congratulate Mark on his impeccable taste, then.
Dodge Tomahawk: the ultimate deathwish
http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/photos/tomahawk-again.jpg
Next up: a JATO rocket on wheels.
Paging the Darwin Awards…
I was a fan of the follow up to the Razor, the Dodge Demon. There were even reviews of it from the various car magazines.
Back in the day, Mopar was cranking out some very neat concepts. I’m also a fan of the Razor, the Demon and the Copperhead.
Too bad none of these ever became reality.
Buick Regal Cielo. Google it. My father would’ve bought one circa ’00.
EDIT: Goddamn it…
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1999-BUICK-REGAL-CIELO-OPEN-AIR-CONCEPT-181452
I think your dad would have been the only person who bought it, but that trick roof is pretty cool.
Your dad is awesome.
Check out Barret’s details too:
Details
VIN 2G4WF5210X1400016
Exterior Color TAN
Interior Color TAN
Cylinders 8
Engine Size 350
Transmission 3-SPEED AUTOMATIC
This despite the clear “3800 Supercharged” engine image.
This month?
Lamborghini Estoque (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamborghini_Estoque)
The fact that it is a four door sedan just makes it even better.
Yes! It immediately came to my mind as well. Not only am I lifelong Lamborghini fan, but I’ve been in a 4-door sedan phase since I bought an Evo X in 2010.
Can’t this thing platform-share with the Porsche Panamera or something?
There’s two for me
1. Cadillac Sixteen. Imagine the impact this vehicle would have had
2. Buick Aevenir
I saw this one in person in 2001. Pictures don’t do it justice. Beautiful from all angles. Chevrolet SS concept coupe.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2000-2003/2003-Chevrolet-SS-Concept-Mountains.htm
Chevy: ” NAW, lets make it a TRUCK instead “
When that came out, I thought it borrowed heavily from the 1999 Dodge Charger concept.
http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/dodge/charger-1999.html
The Bugatti Galibier concept was pretty rad
2001 Ford Forty-Nine
http://www.supercars.net/blog/2001-ford-49-concept/
that looks good. i especially like the rear end treatment. i think this would have been easy to turn from prototype to a vehicle that meet production standards. would have sold in my opinion.
Not best concept ever, but as lover of older Hondas, and disillusioned with their current offerings, I liked the Honda Gear shown in Montreal a few years ago. Had real-world potential.
Mercedes-Benz F300 Life Jet.
Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept and most other jeep concepts.
Like the Jeep Gladiator Pickup? So much win there, yet we got nothing.
I saw that thing in person. There was no real excuse for it NOT to go into production.
Straight up the original F-Type concept. Not that the finished product is bad looking, mind you, but the concept (much like the original Boxster concept) is just way, way better looking IMHO
http://www.supercars.net/blog/2000-jaguar-f-type-concept/
Chrysler Atlantic or the Viper based Chrysler 300.
I’m going to go back to my childhood: 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne concept.
Was absolutely thrilled to find out that it was eventually restored and made runnable.
I have 2:
1996 Daimler Corsica http://www.jaguarheritage.com/t/othercars_033
2002 Lincoln Continental
Oh man… As a Metro Detroit boy, I’ve got a bunch. I went to NAIAS pretty much every year from 1996-2013, and sporadically after that. Here goes:
Chrysler Atlantic
Cadillac Sixteen
Ford Tonka Concept (which turned into the Atlas, which is very similar to current F-Series)
Dodge Ram T-Rex 6×6
Dodge Power Wagon
Ford Expedition Himalaya
That’s all that comes to mind right now. So many good ones before 2008.
I was hoping this, or a close variation would have been such a cool Corvette C7.
http://previewcf.turbosquid.com/Preview/2014/05/19__23_24_59/Corvette_Stingray_Concept_Car_010.jpgda56e385-65b0-49b8-8a58-36915d8115cbLarge.jpg
I really liked the ’99 Charger Concept. If they would have put that out it would have been my next car when I got rid of my ’84 Shelby Charger. Instead I ended up with a used ’95 Escort Wagon.
I always loved the little Jaguar XK-180 from about 1999.
It did influence the subsequent Jaguar F-Type, but the F-type turned out all kind of square.
I loved it too, like to have one someday.
I’m surprised no one mentioned the Plymouth Pronto Spyder. A mid-engine MR2 or Boxster fighter
http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/pronto-spyder.html
Also the Chrysler Pronto Cruiser. A rakish PT Cruiser coupe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Pronto_Cruizer
The Pronto Cruizer doesn’t look that much different from the PT Cruiser.
The Volkswagen Bluesport.
http://jalopnik.com/why-cant-you-buy-the-best-car-volkswagens-designed-in-1456943158
RWD, diesel, convertible, two seater.