Mystery Cars

In the 1950’s, America had broken free from the shackles of wartime economics. It was walking with the swagger of a Nation that had the world by the tail. Scientists had harnessed nuclear energy. Jet-propelled airplanes were breaking speed records… and the race to space was on! But perhaps more than anything else, one thing melded imagination and consumerism, putting this era in perfect context: the concept car.

Unlike satellites, rockets, and jet planes these dream cars were accessible. People flocked to auto shows like GM’s Motorama to see the concept cars in their titanium bodied glory. They were snapshots of how America perceived it’s future. They were, simply, out of sight. Jaw dropping. Unforgettable. But what happened to them? Most were destroyed. Some just plain vanished. But amazingly, some are still here. Throughout seasons one and two, this series showcases some of the most important concept cars of the 20th century and the cultural backdrop that inspired them.

Client: HIFI HDTV
Date: 2011, 2013