Nominations for 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.

1. A concept that was close to production ready, but never made it into production
2. 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.
3. Any year, Any brand, as many nominations you want.

If we get enough nominations in both 1 and 2, we may split the voting into both of those categories. Try and provide a short write up of why you think the concept is a compelling nomination... if you have a favorite picture of the concept car, include that too... otherwise I'll hunt one down when I write up the article.

Have fun!

[Camino LS6]

My G8ST.

Unlike any other category 1 nominee, the G8 ST was actually announced for production. In fact, GM even ran the "Tame the Name" contest to name the new model. The top prize was the G8 ST itself. In an extraordinary reversal, the G8 ST was cancelled just ahead of the entire Pontiac brand. The contest winner had to choose his prize from among other Pontiacs.

The Holden Ute on which it was based remains in production, and sells in several markets around the world.

Here in the US, a genuine niche market exists for this entry as a re-born Chevy El Camino. In fact, it took some effort to understand why GM didn't plan to offer the Ute as a Chevy from the start. The notion was a that an expanded G8 family of bodystyles would strengthen the brand - after some serious thought, I accepted that it was a valid strategy.

In an era of lackluster offerings among compact trucks, and a real fear of fuel costs, this excellent Zeta variant is still something GM should be selling. The federal testing is already done, and capacity exists at Holden to make it happen. It would be the ideal companion model to the rumored Chevy Zeta SS sedan badged as El Camino.

It's a no-brainer, and more than "shovel-ready", so what's taking so long, GM?

Edited December 16, 2010 by Camino LS6

[Drew Dowdell]

My nomination:

Cadillac Sixteen

The car just says "F#@k you! I'm a Cadillac! You cannot afford me." Cadillac should have made 500 of them per year and priced them so that only the most elite could afford them. It would have lifted the brand's prestige tremendously. Cadillac should have offered them painted in any color the customer wanted with any type of material on the interior that the customer wanted. The engine specs should have remained close to the concept.

[Camino LS6]

The Kappa Nomad concept

The Hummer HX

This was GM's bonifide Wrangler killer, a package that was innovative and exciting. A real opportunity to both save the Hummer brand and trounce the venerable Jeep was lost when Hummer was axed. This no-nonsense concept was on the fast track to production and a bright future vs. Wrangler when diaster struck. Like the G8 ST, the Hummer HX is too good to waste and would be a natural under the GMC nameplate. Imagine this sitting next to a productionized Sierra All-Terrain HD in a GMC showroom circa 2012.

For a refresher on the HX see this thread:

The Converj

The Converj is the necessary proof that green and clean need not be boring and ugly. As a Cadillac, style could trump function a bit without the constraints that prevented the Volt concept from taking on that role. This car simply needs to happen for Voltec technology to reach a transparent acceptance beyond its technical fascinations.

The G6 concept

The 1999 Dodge Charger concept

This concept is one of the finest examples of melding heritage and contemporary design. It evoked the look of the classic Chargers without being retro. It maintained brand identity in the age of the Intrepid. It ran on clean fuel. It disguised its extra set of doors better than any other design ever has. And, it was drop-dead gorgeous in its own right. This car should have been greenlighted the day after its debut.

The Plymouth Howler

The Howler was a unique take on the production Prowler with classic T-bucket styling, but that isn't whereits greatest strength lay. What this concept did, more than anything else, was to correct the two major complaints against the production Prowler. The hideous plastic front bumpers were removed, and a powerplant worthy of the Prowler's styling was placed under the hood. Those two changes alone were worth implementation.

The Chrysler Hemi-C convertible

Long, low, sleek, and production-ready is how I would describe the Hemi-C. I simply have never seen such a production level execution on any other showcar. All this car lacked was management willing to pull the trigger.

The Ford Interceptor

An obvious platform mate to the Lincoln Continental concept, this car was even more of a no-brainer as a replacement for the ancient Crown Vic than the Continental was for the Towncar. On both cars the styling has a timeless appeal and the business case had a built in base. Ford dropped the ball on both.

The Ford Bronco concept

Read my endorsement for the Hummer HX and substitute the name Bronco for HX and you have the reasons to build this one. In this case, a further justification can be found in this concept's brilliant update of a Classic Ford design. I don't think that the mass appeal of this Bronco and the HX can be overstated. Both concepts are aimed squarely at a sliver of the market that has been ignored for way too long, and at a competitor that has little fresh appeal. Ford should do this now.

The Cadillac Cien

This one speaks for itself. But just imagine a world in which the Cien and the Ford GT competed side-by-side.

Edited December 19, 2010 by Camino LS6

[Camino LS6]

The Buick Avant

Simply because it is beautiful, and all of its lines are perfect. It would turn heads wearing any badge.

Edited December 16, 2010 by Camino LS6

[Camino LS6]

The 94/96 El Camino SS

In yet another near-miss, this El Camino almost made production back when Chevy was looking at exapnding its B-body lineup. The raging demand for the Tahoe sealed its fate, along with the rest of GM's B-body cars, as the plant that built them was needed for the SUV craze.

Too bad.

Edited December 16, 2010 by Camino LS6

[Drew Dowdell]

Another Nomination:

The Ford Super Chief:

At least in look, this should have made it into production. It is far more attractive than the current Super Duty, but the concept car "flair" like the swinging tailgate with integrated tail lights could have been left behind.

The Lincoln Continental Concept

Built on the Lincoln LS platform, this one seemed like such a "no-brainer" to me. It would have made an excellent Lincoln flagship.... but instead we got 7 more years of Towncar.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Chevrolet Cheyenne

Lincoln Continental Concept

Lincoln Mark X

Mercury Messenger

Saturn Curve

Dodge Super8

Buick Velite

Chrysler Imperial

GMC Denali XT

[GMTruckGuy74]

It's hard to nominate any more since Camino hit on a lot of the ones I could think of

However, here's one he didn't mention and is one concept that was very close to production but got "lost in translation"

1955 GMC L'Universelle (1955 Motorama Show Vehicle)

Very futuristic for its time, being the first front-wheel drive truck produced GMC with a low center of gravity and offering more space than in the conventional panel trucks of the day. However, it's custom frame, drive system, and other unique features made the '55 GMC L'Universelle too expensive to consider for production in the '50s.

However, when GM finally committed the money to this project it came out watered down as this:

From High Performance Pontiac: http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/features/hppp_0309_1955_gmc_l_universelle/index.html

Though nearly half a century has passed since GMC's L'Universelle graced a Motorama turntable, it accurately predicted the dimensions, layout and packaging of the minivans that have become a staple of American life. Closer to its own era, it also influenced the design of Chevy's rear-engined Series 95 trucks, the Corvair Rampside and Loadside pickups, Greenbrier vans, and Corvans. It's really too bad that this is yet another dream machine that disappeared without a trace.

[Camino LS6]

I could think of more...

Especially if we go back a ways - Banshee anyone?

[Drew Dowdell]

Well, try and put a reason why you think they should have been built......

I'm not Santa Claus ya know....

For example... the Mercury Messenger, while neat looking, would have done what for the only brand with a higher average buyer age than Buick?

[Camino LS6]

Olds, I may go back later and give my reasons for some of my nominations if no one else beats me to it.

Everyone else: have at any of my picks if it resonates with you.

Just leave the G8 ST to me.

[Z-06]

I'll pick the Nomad, G6, and Denali XT:

1. Nomad would have been a trend setter considering it had utility, sports, and uniqueness. It would have allowed GM to diversify kappa and given it more legs to make profit. Furthermore, with Chevy's dealership reach it would have had a good market capitalization, if priced right. And the plus - no competitors.
2. The G6 design might have actually saved Pontiac. The design would have showed what GM designers and engineers were capable of doing rather than the beancounters having their final say. While it is difficult to predict whether it would have ended up being less of a rental fleet, the design would have certainly prevented GM to dump them in fleets and actually sell them at decent profit in retail market.
3. Denali XT - again a trend setter, innovative and downright gorgeous truck. Its base on Zeta was main reason it should have been given green light. Again GM could have spread Zeta's costs. While it would not have broke the sales charts, its uniqueness and unibody would have certainly given an option for people who did not need BOF capabilities while providing a decent bump in fuel economy.

[Z-06]

Chevrolet SS Sedan Concept

Holden Torana Concept

[GMTruckGuy74]

I could think of more...

Especially if we go back a ways - Banshee anyone?

My favorite Banshee, the 1988:

And of course my ultimate concept vehicle, the 2000 GMC Terradyne concept truck:

[Camino LS6]

Not the Banshee I was thinking of, Roger. And one could argue that the '88 you posted was the dream car version of the 4th gen Firebird.

[Camino LS6]

Someone run with these:

Holden SSX concept

Holden Coupe 60 concept

Pontiac Banshee Concept (the original)

[Drew Dowdell]

My favorite Banshee, the 1988:

Oldsmobile Aerotech rip off!

[Drew Dowdell]

This is quickly turning into a "how many concepts of the last 50 years can we find pics of?!" thread.

Try and whittle it down a bit and give me a why the concept is important or significant.

[Camino LS6]

I don't know about that, most of these are confined to fairly recent times. And, the automotive world would be a better place with most of them in it as production cars.

Some (like the '88 Banshee) are more in the Dream Car category, but most were good candidates for production in a form close to the showcars.

There are only a handful that I wouldn't vote for in the poll.

Still, we need more text supporting the choices - I agree there.

I'll add some for my nominees if no one else does, but I know some of these are near and dear to certain members, so I'll hold off for now.

[Intrepidation]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Holden Efijy yet.

Then again, it's not really production feasible, not on a large scale anyway. A limited run could be done if GM had a coach builder like Pininfarina do the work. It would be expensive, but IMO it would be worth it.

Chrysler 200C

This is the car that could help turn Chrysler around, bring it upmarket, and make it more than just a reskinned/rebadged Dodge brand. A very handsome, RWD midsize premium sedan. Being based on a shortened version of the LX platform, it wasn't some pie-in-the-sky dream machine, it's very production feasible.

Chrysler FirePower

The FirePower would have made for an excellent GT halo car for the Chrysler brand. It would also have made good on the extra capacity at the Viper plant, and let Chrysler get more mileage out of the Viper's expensive platform. At the same time, the unique sheetmetal, 6.1L V8, and beautiful interior would have made it nothing like the hardcore snake.

Chrysler Chrysler ME-412

Not only should this have been built, but this Mid-engine, SLR slaying supercar almost was. There were even prepoduction prototypes, but Daimler pulled the plug on it, because they didn't want the Americans showing up the much more costly German flagship. Americans are inferior after all. A mid-engine supercar from Detroit. How cool would that have been?

Infiniti Essence

One of the most beautiful and flowing designs to come from anywhere, let alone Japan. Nissan actually has a RWD platform or two they could build it off of, and would make a much better flagship than what they have now, which is nothing.

Ford Interceptor

Need I say more? It could be production feasible if Ford redesigned the next Mustang platform to be more flexible. Then again, Ford could build it off a RWD Lincoln platform to help spread cost while pushing Lincoln upmarket.

[balthazar]

XP-39, the '55 L'Universelle is really interesting- making a cargo vehicle both glamorous, innovative and very capable. Mid-engined with unique scissor-lift doors at the pass side & rear. Love the design of it. It very well may have popularized the van right off the bat and help keep it from being shoehorned into the 'red-headed stepchild' image. I'd put that in my top 10 easy.

Edited December 17, 2010 by balthazar

[Camino LS6]

I've never seen that Infiniti before, DF.

Even a confirmed detractor of Japanese cars like me can't deny its beauty.

[balthazar]

1963 Chrysler Turbine. A turn-key, production-ready, alternate fuel vehicle with appropriately space-aged styling to boot. Sat in #18, LOVED the interior. A great thumb-yer-nose at the oil chokehold the rest of motordom would be in in 10 years.

[balthazar]

Like one single, solitary word to explain the reasoning behind this car is remotely necessary:

[balthazar]

XP-38, the 1955 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham prototype. Tho the model did go into production in '57-60, there were substantial styling & amenitities changes between this & the '57-58s.... ah Hell: this is a pure porn nomination for me.

Just so damned beautiful:

[Camino LS6]

I don't know Balthy, one could argue that all three of those went to production...

[vonVeezelsnider]

Here are my justifications, Olds.

1) Mark X:

Same justification as bringing back the XLR, Lincoln should have some sort of a "halo" vehicle, and the styling is much more crisp and unique than what they're going after (tarted up Fords)

2) Mercury Messenger:

Before they canned Mercury, the idea was to bring over the Euro Fords and revamp Mercury to make them appeal to more young buyers. The Messenger with its euro looks and sporting pretensions would have made a nice fit in such a lineup.

3) Super8:

Would make a great concept for an eccentric, Malibu Maxx style midsize Dodge

4) Imperial:

Fiat wants Chrysler to = Cadillac, and yet Chrysler has no epic flagship car. This thing would be a great start and it has the presence of a Rolls.

[Blake Noble]

Vee, I agree with your sentiments on the Imperial, but Chrysler should start over with a clean sheet of paper if they want a range topping luxo barge. That car was not one of Chrysler's best concepts in terms of styling and probably wouldn't be taken seriously if built as is.

[balthazar]

I don't know Balthy, one could argue that all three of those went to production...

You could. You could make the same argument WRT the G8ST since it's in production in a few markets.

ChryCo built 55 Turbines, but they were never sold (only lent out); maybe they could squeak in on a technicality?

I consider the Tucker production, tho only 37 were built in factory and there were constant running changes, 13 more were built after the factory closed.

Many others do not consider it production (assumedly on volume & length of time). Not sure how many were delivered retail via dealers- I believe none.

'55 EB looked very different than the '57 out back, but like I said, I'm just gooshy over the one-off fiberglas '55 XP-38. '55 shares no panels with the production '57-58 cars.

-- -- -- -- --

I've always liked the offbeat proportions & simplicity of the '50 Martin Stationette, tho I'm not generally a fan of wood siding. The big disk rims make it the most substantial-looking of this era's 3-wheelers/microcars :

Edited December 17, 2010 by balthazar

[Camino LS6]

I see the Turbine as somewhat equivalent to the GM EV-1.

[balthazar]

EV1 was built for 3 years & 1117 units tho.

[Camino LS6]

OK, analagous then.

[Croc]

What, no Bel Air love?

Edited December 18, 2010 by Croc

[Drew Dowdell]

Can't hotlink to net car show Croc

[balthazar]

Camino LS6 ~ >>"OK, analagous then."<<

I get your meaning: unique alternate fuel vehicle dangled in front of public, mildly endearing, then yanked away.

And I used the same reasoning I don't subscribe to WRT the Tucker, against the EV1.

Edited December 17, 2010 by balthazar

[Cory Wolfe]

I see alot of concepts that, while nice, wouldn't necessarily be successful after production. As Olds said, I think we need to see more reasoning behind the nominations and less random picture picking. Save for the Tucker, as Balthy said that one goes without explanation.

My input:

I would agree with the Pontiac G6. They needed that car to truly change Pontiac's mission and the resulting production version was just half-assed and pathetic. A de-cladded Grand Am based on a Malibu. A truer production version could have had a better chance at turning Pontiac around.

[ocnblu]

GM wasn't going to build a unique platform for the production G6. It had to share hard points with the rest of the Epsilons of the time, just like every Pontiac in its class since the '61 Tempest. It was on the longer wheelbase of the Maxx, and it shared no visible body or interior parts with the Malibu. It was sold as a coupe and a hardtop convertible, bodystyles not seen anywhere else at GM on the Epsilon platform.

The mistake was to put out such an exaggerated version of the future production car as a concept, when GM knew full well it couldn't deliver on that promise.

[Croc]

GM wasn't going to build a unique platform for the production G6. It had to share hard points with the rest of the Epsilons of the time, just like every Pontiac in its class since the '61 Tempest. It was on the longer wheelbase of the Maxx, and it shared no visible body or interior parts with the Malibu. It was sold as a coupe and a hardtop convertible, bodystyles not seen anywhere else at GM on the Epsilon platform.

The mistake was to put out such an exaggerated version of the future production car as a concept, when GM knew full well it couldn't deliver on that promise.

Eh...I think the mistake had to do with cheapening out on the details. I don't think the actual DESIGN of the production vehicle is what put off buyers, but rather the cheap details. For example, the Malibu and MAXX had jeweled taillight lenses, yet the G6 had very flat ones. Cheap and dated at launch--very 90s. Mostly, though, the interior is what held it back. That interior was cheap, grey plastic. The design lacked cohesion, and the panels/flow of design elements was abysmal, making it look like it had very poor build quality even when assembled impeccably. Honestly, it was a bigger Sunfire in so many ways, and that just wasn't acceptable for the market segment, let alone for the hard-top convertible option!! Those hardtop convertibles were expensive, yet they had the same &#036;h&#33;ty interior as a base G6 costing at least $15k less.

[z28luvr01]

What, no Bel Air love?

Here's some for you:

The Bel Air, while on the surface it appeared to be an answer to Ford's retro Thunderbird, was actually a sneak peak at the mechanicals of the then forthcoming Chevrolet Colorado. It rode on the GMT355 chassis with ZQ8 suspension and was powered by a turbocharged 3.5 liter I5. Regardless of what its purpose was, I think Chevy would have done well to see this one through. With the Camaro taking a bow and exiting - stage left - that year, The General would soon be lacking in the 'non-boring' portion of its lineup. While no Camaro, the Bel Air still could have resonated with buyers by being a decent handling coupe/convertible dripping with some retro cues. As proven by the 2009-up Colorado and the SSR, small block power for the GMT355 would have been just a finger snap away.

You could point to the failures of the SSR and T-bird as an indication of the Bel Air's eventual fate, if you want to. But the Bel Air very well could have bested them simply by the fact that it would have been much easier to bring in at an affordable price, unlike the 'Bird and SSR who relied on exclusive hardware to make it to production. Being based on a truck whose MSRP started in the mid teens with a body devoid of expensive gimmickery, it wouldn't have been too much of a stretch to see a production Bel Air base in the low to mid 20s.

[Drew Dowdell]

^ that's the kinda write up I'm looking for!

[Camino LS6]

You make a strong case for the Bel-Air, Z - it certainly qualifies for nomination. However, it lacks the visual punch it would need to get my vote in the poll. Like the Imperial concept, the idea really works but the execution leaves something to be desired.

[Camino LS6]

I think we can weed-out a few cars in this thread as Dream Car rather than producible concepts.

'88 Banshee

Dodge Super8

GMC Terradyne

Efijy

Another example would be the LaCrosse concept (which I loved). Contrast that with the G6 concept which was a wholly-reasonable package that would have advanced its brand had it not been ruined by the compromised production car.

Edited December 17, 2010 by Camino LS6

[z28luvr01]

I'm more or less pushing the concept of a dirt cheap fun cruiser than the actual Bel Air itself. I do agree that it looks rather dated now, but it did fit in with the styling trends of 2002 - we were just finally crawling out of the jellybean era. One of its claims to fame was that it could be brought online at a moment's notice, and I don't think that fact would change today given that it's essentially a rebodied Colorado. A newer more dynamic body should be child's play for GM's current design staff.

[Camino LS6]

I'm more or less pushing the concept of a dirt cheap fun cruiser than the actual Bel Air itself. I do agree that it looks rather dated now, but it did fit in with the styling trends of 2002 - we were just finally crawling out of the jellybean era. One of its claims to fame was that it could be brought online at a moment's notice, and I don't think that fact would change today given that it's essentially a rebodied Colorado. A newer more dynamic body should be child's play for GM's current design staff.

I have no argument with any of that. Remember the revisons done to the Bel-Air after its debut? When it was next shown, the look had improved.

[Drew Dowdell]

I think we can weed-out a few cars in this thread as Dream Car rather than producible concepts.

'88 Banshee

Dodge Super8

GMC Terradyne

Efijy

Another example would be the LaCrosse concept (which I loved). Contrast that with the G6 concept which was a wholly-reasonable package that would have advanced its brand had it not been ruined by the compromised production car.

I think that's a good idea Camino. We can have another thread for dream cars once this one is done.

[z28luvr01]

Yeah, though I thought I grabbed the revised version, unless I have things backwards. In GM's pics it had chrome trim along the crease near the beltline and a higher stance. The one I saw at NYIAS looked more like the one I posted.

I do prefer the wheels/tires on this one, though.

[Camino LS6]

I think you have it right, Z.

I just remember thinking "better, but not quite there" when they made the changes.

[Camino LS6]

Been thinking it over, and I think Balthazar's Caddy nominee qualifies for category 2.

[Camino LS6]

In fact, we are very lean on category 2 nominees. Only the G6 and the '55 EB fill that slot.

What else didn't translate well from concept to production?

EDIT: The Chrysler 200 seems to fit here as well.

Edited December 17, 2010 by Camino LS6