“Future Cars” by Chris Cusimano

Rewind to 1973…As a 3rd grader, I recall fondly, that my “go-to” book was on cars of the future… I was in awe of the pictures and illustrations of concept cars…cars that were out of this world-”Jetson’s-like”, if you will. Later in life the vivid memories of that book have left me wondering… What ever happened to these cars we expected in the future? Were they THAT far into the future?

Fast forward to 2010.  The 2010 Amelia Concours de Elegance, I’m walking along the cart path, when I hear the winding sound of a jet engine. Quickly, I make my way through the crowd to view an incredible vehicle that could have been a prop from a 50′s sci-fi film. Is it the Chrysler Turbine? In the early 60′s Chrysler made a Jet engine (yes, JET engine) car that would run on anything combustible… They made 50 examples, and were loaned to consumers to try out for a period of time. After the test, all were destroyed but 9. And the engines of most of those were dismantled. Only a couple of working examples exist today, one owned by Jay Leno. There are many “conspiracy theories” as to why the engine that could run on anything never went into production. My brother and I have discussed our own theories.

As I watch this car glide down the fairway, the whine was definitely that of a jet engine. It turned out not to be the Chrysler turbine of the 60′s, but a concept car from the 50′s! It was then followed by other futuristic (non-jet propelled) cars, as the announcer describes each one. A  handful of concept cars that once donned the cover of Motor Trend Magazine back in the 50′s. A special feature to the show, along with other concepts, that proved to be favorites of photog’s throughout the day. They were truly amazing…Cars that reminded me of my “go-to” book during library hour 37 years ago…and still out of this world today…