I found this today. The answer is below....What is it? It's going up for auction soon at RM. View attachment 2778 1956 Chrysler Plainsman.
Very cool. I LOVE concept cars. There are some really good ones here: http://www.automotivehistoryonline.com/Concept Cars.htm 1958 Plymouth Cabana 1964 Ford Aurora Concept Lots of non-wagon concepts: One of my favs: 1964 Pontiac Banshee Ford has some absolutely stunning ultra-futuristic concepts.
That's a Lincoln, TB....forget what year.....56?? If it's not a Lincoln it started out as one....or used the fenders etc. Says Chrysler on the pic.....
Minor correction, Steve. I believe that the concept was known as the Plymouth Plainsman. I seem to remember a thread we had about it sometime back....I'll search for it. ------------------------------------------- Here it is............... http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3621&highlight=Plainsman
Since it says Chrysler on the bottom of the pic, and the fins it's sporting are reminiscent of a 57 Plymouth, I'm guessing it was Chrysler Corporation's answer to the Nomad.
Could be a DeSoto too, I suppose. LOL.....wonder how long it would take me to name every brand of car?
That Pontiac is drop dead beautiful, I have loved that car since I was a kid. OK there must be a GM guy who knows the real scoop, this is what I remember as to why the Banshee never happened. The Banshee was made in around the time as they (GM) had decided what would be the 68 Vette. In the same era as the Banshee the Camaro and it's counter part Firebird were to begin production in 67 BUT GM decided that the Vette (Chevy) was selling great allwready they did'nt want in house compitition (with Pontiac) so the Banshee was swept under the rug. I know very similar was true with Crystler Corp when it came to the Plymouth Valiant vs the Dodge Lancer, 1960-62
GM did that a lot. When they found out the 3800 in the Buick GS was blowing away Vettes production came to a screeching halt.
As I understand it, the Plainsman was Chryler's Lead show car for 56 and 57. It wasn't supposed to be the lead show car in 57. Ghia in Italy was tasked with making the body of the 57 show car, the Chrysler Norseman, a low, sleek,2 door fastback coupe. The sinking of the Andrea Doria took the Chrysler Norseman show car with it before it ever even made it to America. The Plainsman may have been the first wagon with a power retractable tailgate window, and may have also been the first with a rear facing third seat. I always liked the mid 60's Banshee as well. I especially liked the open version. Also in the mid 60's, Chrysler designers were working on similar design as a 1968 replacement for the Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger sports car. After Chrysler aquired the Rootes Group (builder of Sunbeam, Hillman, Humber, etc) in 66, they tried shoe horning a small block Mopar into the Sunbeam Tiger body. But, it didn't fit. Unlike the small block Ford, the small block Mopar engine had the distributor in the rear which wouldn't clear the Sunbeam's firewall. So, thats why you'll see the Ford powered 66 & 67 Sunbeam Tiger's with the Chrysler Pentastar on the lower right front fender. Chrysler was in the uncomfortable position of selling and providing a warranty for a car with a Ford engine. The replacement Sunbeam Tiger was being designed around the new for 68 Chrysler 340, for a 1968 debut. The 1968 2 seat Sunbeam Tiger convertible would have actually looked sort of like a cross between the Banshee and the 68 Corvette. Sadly, the corporate bean counters at Chrysler killed it. Its a real shame too cause the 340 was a great engine and in a car the size of the Tiger, would have been hard to beat. Not to mention the beautiful styling that would have put the new 68 Vette to shame. Its been years since I've seen any illustrations of the planned 68 Sunbeam Tiger, but it still left a lasting impression.
This is turning into a really interesting thread! And I will DEFINITELY take one of those 58 Plymouth Cabana's!!! That is MY kinda CAR!
Apparently John DeLorean was not only pushing to go production with the Banshee, he also wanted its performance to exceed the Corvette. (Same HP, but 500 lbs less curb weight.) The GM Execs shot down his ideas in 1966.
Yes, I now remember some thing along those lines. Thanx Steve:2_thumbs_up_-_anima Tooo Dam bad, IMO that is so much sharper looking than the vette....I almost could be a kid again and stare and dream about that Banshee for hours........then girls and real drivem cars came along
