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The 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept Car by Ghia is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary vehicles ever created. Measuring a mere 52.8 inches from its double-domed plexiglas canopy to the ground, the Futura was designed by Lincoln-Mercury stylists and engineers to be a rolling laboratory. These showcasing innovations could be adapted for production vehicles.
With a special experimental chassis, the car hugged the ground at just six inches at the center of the frame and 7.2 inches at the side rails. Its clean and uncluttered instrument panel featured controls housed in separate compartments with flexible roll-down doors and illuminated labels for each function.
The Futura's Turbo-Drive automatic transmission eliminated the traditional gear lever, using chrome pushbuttons in a functional pedestal between the front seats. Safety measures were integrated, requiring two operations to shift from reverse to forward gears and linking the parking gear control with the roof controls to prevent operation when the roof was raised.
The rear quarter panels of the all-steel body featured functional twin air scoops, directing cooling air to the rear brakes and providing fresh air for the air conditioning system.
Ford initially unveiled the low, long Futura in 1955. Still, it gained even more fame when it was later sold to Hollywood producers who transformed it into the iconic Batmobile for the 1960s "Batman" TV series.
The Futura's futuristic design and innovative features made it a true testament to the "shape of tomorrow in American automotive styling."
Source: Ford Motor Company; Larry Edsall, www.theautochannel.com
Images: Ford Motor Company