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The General Motors Le Sabre was a groundbreaking 1951 concept car that introduced many futuristic design elements that would influence American automobiles throughout the decade. Designed by Harley Earl, GM’s head of design, the Le Sabre was one of the most advanced and influential show cars of its time, incorporating aircraft-inspired styling with a sleek, aerodynamic body, prominent tail fins, and a wraparound windshield—features that became hallmarks of 1950s automotive design.
Constructed from aluminum, magnesium, and fiberglass, the Le Sabre was lightweight for its size and featured an advanced 215-cubic-inch (3.5L) supercharged aluminum V8 engine. Like the contemporary Buick XP-300 concept, the Le Sabre’s engine was capable of running on both gasoline and methanol, similar to Indy racing cars of the era. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted automatic transmission, initially a Buick Dynaflow but later replaced with a GM Hydramatic.
Beyond its striking jet-age styling, the Le Sabre was packed with cutting-edge technology for the time. It was one of the first American cars to feature a 12-volt electrical system (while most 1951 cars still used 6-volt systems). Other innovative features included electric headlights concealed behind a jet-inspired oval intake, front bumper "Dagmars", heated seats, and hydraulic jacks integrated into the chassis, a concept that later became common in Formula One race cars. The car’s convertible top was even equipped with a rain sensor, allowing it to close automatically when detecting moisture.
Engine: 215 C.I. V8 (3.5L)
Horsepower: 335 @ 5200 RPM
Torque: 381 ft lbs @ 3650 RPM
Transmission: 4 speed automatic
Front Suspension: unequal length A-arms, torsion bars, tubular hydraulic dampers
Rear Suspension: DeDion axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, tubular hydraulic dampers
Weight: 3799 lbs
Though the Le Sabre never entered production, it played a significant role in shaping future Buick and Cadillac designs, influencing tailfin styling and other design cues seen in later models. The Le Sabre name was eventually adopted by Buick in 1959 for a new production model that continued for decades.
Today, the 1951 GM Le Sabre remains one of the most celebrated concept cars in automotive history. It is preserved in the GM Heritage Center and occasionally appears at classic car exhibitions. Scale models and die-cast reproductions, including a 1:24 scale model by the Franklin Mint and a Hot Wheels version, have helped cement its status as an icon of 1950s automotive innovation.
