1955 Chrysler Plainsman Concept Wagon

[Flybrian]

Auction Listing on eBay

Awesome!

Still runs, too!

The January 1956 press release that accompanied the photos of this Chrysler Plainsman concept car hailed it as a "Bold New Experiment in Station Wagon Design." Among its innovations were "an 'observation-car' third seat" and a powered tailgate and rear window. Another trick feature was the storage of the spare tire just aft of the rear axle, hidden behind a flip-up fender skirt.

The Western motif is highlighted by brown-and-white calf-hide interior, and who could live without the "Gold-colored Texas Longhorn medallions" on those audacious B-pillars? Chrysler styling director Virgil Exner said the car "reflects the colorful and casual way of life that typifies the nation's westward movement and is a bold expression of the suburban trend in American living."

[balthazar]

Wow- awesome opportunity! Looks like a lot of speculators might be in on this: at a mere $160K there's likely a lot of wiggle room come Barrett-Jackson time. Neat car- lots of interesting features, not the most lovely to look at tho I still like it well enough.

Now...W-what is that white (roadster??) next to the Plainsman in the garage shot?? I...do...not... recognize it, and it's going to haunt me until I ID it. Cadillac used those rear fascia strakes on a number of concepts, but this isn't a Caddy. Any guesses??

[ocnblu]

Interior upholstered in unborn calfskin...

[Flybrian]

Now...W-what is that white (roadster??) next to the Plainsman in the garage shot?? I...do...not... recognize it, and it's going to haunt me until I ID it. Cadillac used those rear fascia strakes on a number of concepts, but this isn't a Caddy. Any guesses??

170347[/snapback]

Looks GM-ish with Oldsmobile-ish taillamp housings

[balthazar]

It does, Fly.

{angrily stomps off to check reference files.....}

[balthazar]

Got it: it's the '55 LaSalle II 4-dr hardtop, which didn't feature the unconventional 'flying buttress' rear quarters that the '55 LaS II roadster did. This is the ONLY semi-rear shot I've ever seen, at the galaxy's greatest Cadillac website.

Also proves at least who's garage the Plainsman is in: Joe Bortz of Highland Park IL: he owns both '55 LaSalle II concepts.

Edited July 24, 2006 by balthazar

[knightfan26917]

Also proves at least who's garage the Plainsman is in: Joe Bortz of Highland Park IL: he owns both '55 LaSalle II concepts.

Hot dang ... that's not far from me .. hmmm.....

As for the concept wagon ... sweet .

Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker

MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/

Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html

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