The 1938 Buick Y-Job is generally considered the industry’s first concept car. Created by General Motors Styling and Buick Engineering, it was designed by Harley J. Earl, GM's first design chief, and built on a production Buick chassis modified by Charlie Chayne, then Buick’s chief engineer. Buick called it "Y" because so many makers dubbed experimental cars "X." Styling and mechanical features of the "Y Job" showed up on GM products, particularly Buick and Cadillac, throughout the ’40s.
One of the most famous concept cars was the 1951 Buick LeSabre. Designed by Harley J. Earl’s studio with styling cues from jet fighter planes and used by him for years as an everyday driver, the LeSabre offered a preview of the aircraft styling that followed in the ’50s. The ‘51 LeSabre contained such technological features as a dual gasoline and alcohol fuel system and a moisture sensor which would raise the convertible top if it began raining when the owner was away from the car.
In support of GM Research’s experimental turbine engine program, GM Styling in 1952 developed a needle-nosed, delta-winged vehicle, the Firebird I, (left) powered by a turbine engine. The fiberglass-reinforced plastic body was designed by Harley J. Earl.
Four years later in 1956, a more refined four-passenger Firebird II turbine-powered car, which featured the first regenerative gas turbine, was introduced (center). This technology allowed Firebird II to efficiently power accessories such as air conditioning and power steering.
Firebird III (right) was built in 1958. A two-passenger, gas turbine-powered car, it was the first to feature a single stick control system which replaced the conventional steering wheel, brake pedal and accelerator. This drive- by-wire system was used in the first experiments with automated highways.
