Voting: Concepts that shouldn't have been left on the shelf

[Drew Dowdell]

If you could turn back time...... what concepts were left on the shelf

that should have been productionized. You nominate vehicles in two

ways. <br>

<br>

<ul class="bbcol decimal">

<li>A concept that was close to production ready, but never

made it into production</li>

<li>A concept that was close to production ready, but the

production version watered the concept down too much and lost all of

the appeal the concept had.</li>

<li>Any year, Any brand, as many nominations you want.</li>

</ul>

The nominees are:<br>

<br>

1. Pontiac G8 ST<br>

<img style="width: 325px; height: 222px;" alt="Pontiac G8 ST"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-61469300-1292519023.jpg"><br>

<br>

2. Cadillac SIXTEEN<br>

<img style="width: 327px; height: 217px;"

alt="Cadillac Sixteen"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-51-0-44608400-1292515219.jpg"><br>

<br>

3. Chevrolet Kappa Nomad<br>

<img style="width: 327px; height: 246px;"

alt="Chevrolet Nomad"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-24434000-1292518304.jpg"><br>

<br>

4. Hummer HX<br>

<img style="width: 329px; height: 208px;" alt="Hummer HX"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-86281500-1292518372.jpg"><br>

<br>

5. Cadillac Converj<br>

<img style="width: 330px; height: 247px;"

alt="Cadillac Converj"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-63074600-1292517108.jpg"><br>

<br>

6. Pontiac G6 Concept<br>

<img style="width: 330px; height: 271px;"

alt="Pontiac G6 Concept"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-16631900-1292517172.jpg"><br>

<br>

7. 1999 Dodge Charge Concept<br>

<img style="width: 331px; height: 247px;"

alt="1999 Dodge Charger Concept"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-43270400-1292517928.jpg"><br>

<br>

8. Plymouth Howler<br>

<img style="width: 334px; height: 217px;"

alt="Plymouth Howler"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-12865500-1292518002.jpg"><br>

<br>

9. Chrysler Hemi-C Convertible<br>

<img style="width: 336px; height: 150px;"

alt="Chrysler Hemi-C"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-15591800-1292516635.jpg"><br>

<br>

10. Ford Interceptor Concept<br>

<img style="width: 338px; height: 253px;"

alt="Ford Interceptor"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-61214100-1292518439.jpg"><br>

<br>

11. Ford Bronco Concept<br>

<img style="width: 340px; height: 255px;"

alt="Ford Bronco Concept"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-66264900-1292518513.jpg"><br>

<br>

12. Cadillac Cien Concept<br>

<img style="width: 340px; height: 255px;" alt="Cadillac Cien"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-15835800-1292517235.jpg"><br>

<br>

13. Buick Avant Concept<br>

<img style="width: 300px; height: 297px;" alt="Buick Avant"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-91698900-1292519272.jpg"><br>

<br>

14. Chevrolet El Camino SS<br>

<img style="width: 302px; height: 177px;"

alt="Chevrolet El Camino SS"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-74846700-1292519678.jpg"><br>

<br>

15. Ford Super Chief Concept<br>

<img style="width: 303px; height: 202px;"

alt="Ford Super Chief Concept"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-51-0-67346000-1292519695.jpg"><br>

<br>

16. Lincoln Continental Concept<br>

<img style="width: 302px; height: 226px;"

alt="Lincoln Continental Concept"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-51-0-72134000-1292519899.jpg"><br>

<br>

17. Chevrolet Cheyenne Concept<br>

<img style="width: 303px; height: 227px;"

alt="Chevrolet Cheyenne Concept"

src="http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2003_chevrolet_cheyenne_concept_100006159_m.jpg"><br>

<br>

18. Lincoln Mark X Concept<br>

<img style="width: 318px; height: 210px;"

alt="Lincoln Mark X concept"

src="http://images110.fotki.com/v1585/photos/9/9586/3309319/MARKX_03-vi.jpg?1158239107"><br>

<br>

19. Mercury Messenger<br>

<img style="width: 323px; height: 215px;"

alt="Mercury Messenger"

src="http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/03images/det2_messenger_2.jpg"><br>

<br>

20. Saturn Curve<br>

<img style="width: 323px; height: 242px;" alt="Saturn Curve"

src="http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/as/autoshow2004/photos/b_bbSaturnCurve.jpg"><br>

<br>

21. Dodge Super 8<br>

<img style="width: 324px; height: 242px;" alt="Dodge Super 8"

src="http://www.scorpiocars.net/images/Dodge/2001%20Dodge%20Super%208%20Hemi%20Concept_2.jpg"><br>

<br>

22. Buick Velite<br>

<img style="width: 324px; height: 243px;" alt="Buick Velite"

src="http://www.autocomponentsaftermarket.com/images/Buick10.jpg"><br>

<br>

23. Chrysler Imperial Concept<br>

<img style="width: 331px; height: 180px;"

alt="Chrysler Imperial Concept"

src="http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/chrysler_imperial_concept_official.jpg"><br>

<br>

24. GMC Denali XT Concept<br>

<img style="width: 331px; height: 220px;"

alt="GMC Denali XT Concept"

src="http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2008/02/thumb800x800_2236947131_51187a63ce_o.jpg"><br>

<br>

25. <strong class="bbc"><span

style="font-weight: normal;">1955 GMC L'Universelle</span><br>

<img style="width: 332px; height: 248px;"

alt="GMC L'universelle"

src="http://image.highperformancepontiac.com/f/27299404+w750+st0/hppp_0309_01_z+1955_gmc_l_universelle+passenger_van.jpg"><br>

<br>

<span style="font-weight: normal;">26. Chevrolet SS Sedan

concept</span><br>

<img style="width: 335px; height: 206px;"

alt="Chevrolet SS Sedan concept"

src="http://bestsupercars.com/images04/carspictures/2003-Chevy-SS-Concept-Car-front-angle-mountains-1280x960.jpg"><br>

<br>

</strong><span class="bbc"><span

style="font-weight: normal;">27. Holden Torana Concept</span></span><strong

class="bbc"><br>

<img style="width: 339px; height: 229px;"

alt="Holden Torana Concept"

src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/torana_concept_001.jpg"><br>

<br>

</strong><span class="bbc">28. Holden Efijy<br>

<img style="width: 342px; height: 255px;" alt="Holden Efijy"

src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Holden-Efijy_Concept_2005_800x600_wallpaper_04.jpg"><br>

<br>

29. Chrysler 200c Concept<br>

<img style="width: 346px; height: 259px;"

alt="Chrysler 200c concept"

src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Chrysler-200C_EV_Concept_2009_800x600_wallpaper_08.jpg"><br>

<br>

30. Chrysler Firepower<br>

<img style="width: 351px; height: 263px;"

alt="Chrysler Firepower"

src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Chrysler-Firepower_Concept_2005_800x600_wallpaper_04.jpg"><br>

<br>

31. Chrysler ME-412<br>

<img style="width: 356px; height: 266px;"

alt="Chrysler ME-412"

src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Chrysler-ME_FourTwelve_Concept_2004_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg"><br>

<br>

32. Infiniti Essence<br>

<img style="width: 363px; height: 272px;"

alt="Infiniti Essence"

src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b239/hanyou_kimura/Infiniti-Essence_Concept_2009_800x600_wallpaper_06.jpg"><br>

<br>

33. Chrysler Turbine<br>

<img style="width: 363px; height: 226px;"

alt="Chrysler Turbine"

src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/8492391+w750/c12_0603_07z+1963_chrysler_turbine_car+tail_lights.jpg"><br>

<br>

34. Tucker Torpedo<br>

<img style="width: 365px; height: 224px;" alt="Tucker Torpedo"

src="http://www.extravaganzi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/1948-Tucker-48-4Dr-Sedan.jpg"><br>

<br>

35. Cadillac XP-38 - Eldorado Brougham<br>

<img style="width: 370px; height: 226px;" alt="Cadillac XP-38"

src="http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/55cadillac_eldorado_brougham_2.jpg"><br>

<br>

36. Chevrolet Bel Air concept<br>

<img style="width: 366px; height: 264px;"

alt="Chevrolet Bel Air concept"

src="http://www.diseno-art.com/images/Chevrolet-Bel-Air-front.jpg"><br>

<br>

37. Holden Coupe 60<br>

<img style="width: 366px; height: 277px;"

alt="Holden Coupe 60"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/post-394-0-79449200-1292799413.jpg"><br>

<br>

38. Jeep Gladiator<br>

<img style="width: 373px; height: 279px;"

alt="Jeep Gladiator Concept"

src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/monthly_12_2010/msg-394-0-97677400-1292809383.jpg"><br>

<br>

39. Pontiac Fiero Concept<br>

<img style="width: 376px; height: 281px;"

alt="Pontiac Fiero Concept"

src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/90_Proto_%28Small%29.JPG"><br>

<br>

[Drew Dowdell]

BTW, the next time I do one of these things, I'm limiting you buggers to TWO nominations each! If you want to convince a friend to use one of his nominations for you, do it via PM.

[Camino LS6]

That'll teach you to have such open rules!

Seriously though, thanks for doing this one - it's a good one.

[ocnblu]

short list, yo

[Drew Dowdell]

The poll is too large to put on the front page without screwing up the formatting. It's your guys job to keep the poll active.

Edited December 22, 2010 by Oldsmoboi
ugh... insufficient tea

[Jamie]

I'll add the Holden Torana GTR-X from 1970. It got as far as the sales brochures being printed before management killed it. More pictures here.

[Camino LS6]

That's a sweet beast, James.

Too late for the poll, but sweet nonetheless.

[Drew Dowdell]

Sorry James, ya missed the nomination thread.

[Jamie]

That's a sweet beast, James.

Too late for the poll, but sweet nonetheless.

No worries. Computer problems and house renovations have kept me away from much of the stuff online.

40 years later the Torana still looks stunning. It broke many hearts when it was canned. I know of a couple of people that were ready to place deposits.

It's small (94 inch wheelbase and 44.7" high), light weight (2300 lbs curb weight), and powerful (a planned 180HP inline 6 as the base engine that replaced the concept's 160HP inline 6, with a 240HP 5 litre V8 as a proposed option). It was intended to be a direct competitor for the Datsun 240Z.

[Camino LS6]

I'd like to see it in person someday, Holden did preserve it, right?

[Camino LS6]

OK, who left this thread without voting?

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

I missed this submission contest.

I would have had a few:

2000 Oldsmobile Profile:

1977 Oldsmobile Toronado XSR

1985 Oldsmobile FE3-X Husrt Olds Cultlass Concept:

1992 Oldsmobile Anthem:

1990 Oldsmobile Expression:

Oldsmobile Intrigue OSV:

1986 Oldsmobile Incas:

[Jamie]

I'd like to see it in person someday, Holden did preserve it, right?

I saw one in person in 1970 or 71.

Officially two were built but there are stories about a third and possibly as many as 5 being built, but not all were completed.

The most recent information I have is that one of the prototype GTR-X cars has been recently restored back to its original white paint finish and remains on public display at the Salmon Street offices of Holden in Melbourne, Victoria. Supposedly another is at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, South Australia. There is some conjecture that both of these may actually be the same car. At some stage (late 70s/early 80s), the one at Birdwood was refinished a metallic grey or similar paint and received a set of the alloy wheels that were options on the UC series Torana. There are numerous older photographs of it at Birdwood with the metallic grey finish. Photographs taken in mid-2008 at Birdwood show that the GTR-X on display at that time was white. Interestingly it is no longer listed in the Birdwood Collection.

[balthazar]

98- didn't that '77 Toronado XSR go production, minus the t-tops? Back window slightly different, I believe, but it's pretty much 99% production, no?

[Camino LS6]

Good info., thanks James.

I'd love to visit down there someday.

For quite a few reasons, not the least of which would be all of the Holden hunting I'd do.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

98- didn't that '77 Toronado XSR go production, minus the t-tops? Back window slightly different, I believe, but it's pretty much 99% production, no?

It did minus the t-tops. The rear window made it into production, but as you said not the t-tops.

[Drew Dowdell]

98- didn't that '77 Toronado XSR go production, minus the t-tops? Back window slightly different, I believe, but it's pretty much 99% production, no?

It did. The concept version actually survived and has been rebuilt.

[Camino LS6]

Is it in private hands, or does GM still have it?

[Camino LS6]

*bump*

[Camino LS6]

*re-bump*

[Drew Dowdell]

Is it in private hands, or does GM still have it?

It's in private hands and privately rebuilt by an Oldsmobile aficionado.

I don't recall the story exactly, but I believe it was a barn find.

[Drew Dowdell]

Behold the power of google. The 1977 Toronado XSR story

ASC had developed the power T-top system and wanted to show it off (and of course, market it). So, after some discussion, a Firethorn 1977 Toronado Brougham coupe, VIN 3 57M 000055, was pulled off the Oldsmobile assembly line and sent to ASC for the conversion, which would include installation of the wraparound backlight and the power T-top system.

Oldsmobile apparently decided that the T-top part of the conversion would be too expensive, going instead with a moonroof. The XSR prototype was initially ordered to be destroyed. ASC, however, took the position that they had a vested interest in the car (their $5000 prototype power T-top system!), and they felt that the concept was marketable, so the XSR prototype was sold to ASC through an Olds dealer in Flint, Michigan. ASC owned the car for four years, showing it at specialty shows and promoting its power T-top system (which evidently was a commercial flop... ever seen a car that has it?), putting 19000 miles on the car during that time. At that point the car was sold to a used car dealer in Ohio. Someone at the used car dealer apparently liked the XSR because when the car was sold to a Louisiana collector a year or two later, it had over 40,000 miles on it. The Louisiana collector got in trouble with the Bureau of Eternal Revenue somewhere along the line and the car was impounded (along with other assets). Apparently it was stored outside in a swampy area for some time where it evidently sustained considerable rust damage. This was, in part, due to the fact that the drains for the T-top system were never "plumbed" through the body cavities and to the outside of the car, since it was a prototype and not expected to see actual service as daily transportation. The car was eventually reclaimed by the Louisiana collector and then sold to another car collector near Winchester, VA about ninety miles from Washington DC.

From there, the car is restored.

[Camino LS6]

Great story.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Even though no Oldsmobiles made the list in this thread, I was glad to know my selections prompted a prototype story and discussion.

[CanadianBacon94]

16 votes for the sixteen interesting...

[Camino LS6]

The voting is getting interesting now.

[smk4565]

Tucker Torpedo and Cadillac Cien

[Z-06]

Wow G8 ST and Cien in lead.

Need some more voters.

[Camino LS6]

Wow G8 ST and Sixteen in lead.

Need some more voters.

Fixed.

[Drew Dowdell]

Voting closes Thursday at noon!

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I cast my vote for 14 of them... LOL.

There are some good ideas on that list. We'd be looking at a much different Detroit if they we're as good at executing ideas as they are at creating them.

[Camino LS6]

Amen to that, FOG.

[Camino LS6]

"tick-tock"

[Drew Dowdell]

Voting closes at noon eastern!

[Camino LS6]

Surprising results!

[Drew Dowdell]

Time!