In 1939, in New York, a pavilion of “the highways and horizon’s” attracted and impressed many visitors with its futuristic visions. Futurama exhibition, created by Norman Bel Geddes (the one who designed the future), foretold transportation systems and the communities of 1960, many of which became a reality. These insights into the future included inventions such as the frig-o-therm that cooks and freezes at the same time, glass that bends, a talking flashlight transmitting speech over a light beam. The Pontiac ghost car shared the spotlight as the first full-sized transparent car.
The original 1939 press release stated that a transparent motorcar is the most striking of the fisher body member exhibits at the GM freeways and horizons building at the NY world’s fair. Windows that can go lower and higher, doors that can get opened and closed, create a rigid interior. The only material that lacks is the insulation generally applied to the inside surface, cooperating with fresh content – a clear synthetic plastic.
The Pontiac ghost car was constructed based on deluxe six four-doors touring the Pontiac sedan. The cost of total construction reached 25,000$. In the model, the plexiglass created and additional replica that replaced the outer sheet metal. The structured metal featured a copper wash, to give it a cleaner look. The ribber moldings and the tires were made in white, adding sterile aesthetics.
1940 was a year of a second model – for Golden Gate exposition display. Afterward, both creations traveled to different Pontiac dealerships within the US, where they were exhibited. The first model was auctioned in 2011 for $308,000. Both of these cars were shown in plenty of promotions and were seen in magazines. Both vehicles got created to showcase the process behind car production, especially in a time where this industry was thriving.