Last year's $3.2 million Oldsmobile F-88 sale has collectors scouring barns and museums for '50s dream cars
The business of building "show" or "concept" cars was in its infancy in 1940, with the notion of showcasing future styling and innovations. The idea dated back to Harley Earl and his 1938 Buick Y-Job, which was such a success that it didn't take long for other automobile manufacturers to follow Earl's lead.
The Thunderbolt concept was born from a pitch by Alex Tremulis to LeBaron's head Ralph Roberts to create a pair of "dream cars" in 1939. Roberts was so impressed with the design he organized a meeting with Chrysler president K.T. Keller and Chrysler division president Dave Wallace to discuss the cars: The pair gave the go-ahead to create two different cars based on the Roberts and Tremulis sketches.
The Thunderbolt and Newport projects ended up being two of the most interesting cars to ever come from LeBaron, as well as some of the last. The onset of World War II forced LeBaron to halt production. (The name would be revived later by Chrysler for Imperials and then for ghastly K-cars). The Chrysler Thunderbolt utilized a full-envelope body with concealed headlights and was the first American retractable hard top. Peugeot had pioneered the idea in Europe a decade earlier.
Each of the original five Thunderbolts received a different color combination and carried a discreet bolt of lightning on the contoured aluminum doors. Subtle differences such as exterior wraparound trim and dashboard finishes made each car unique.
The Chrysler Thunderbolt would not have looked out of place 15 years later. It was shorter than the Newport and seated three on a wide bench seat. Unlike the Newport's dipped fender line, the Thunderbolt had a straight line with no dip or belt molding of any kind. Both front and rear wheels were covered with fender skirts, headlights were retractable, and there was no recognizable grille. Air intakes were situated below the bumper.
This Chrysler Thunderbolt is the pinnacle of conceptual design, likened to an undiscovered work of art or unknown manuscript. It has passed the test of time, largely hidden away until now.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt |
| Years Produced: | 1941 |
| Number Produced: | 5, possibly 6 |
| Original List Price: | Unknown |
| SCM Valuation: | N/A |
| Tune Up Cost: | $250 |
| Distributor Caps: | $25 |
| Chassis Number Location: | Left door hinge post |
| Engine Number Location: | Left side of block |
| Club Info: | Classic Car Club of America, 1645 Des Plaines River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018-2206 |
| Website: | http://www.ImperialClub.com |
| Investment Grade: | A |
This 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt sold for $1,210,000 at RM’s sale in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 20, 2006.
Alex Tremulis is best remembered as the designer of the legendary Tucker. In the late ’30s he was working with Crosley and American Bantam prior to returning to Briggs Body Works. In 1939 he presented his design for the striking Thunderbolt to the head of Briggs-LeBaron, Ralph Roberts. As noted by the auction company, two designs were approved by Chrysler; Tremulis headed the Thunderbolt effort and Roberts the Newport. Their task was to complete the cars in three months’ time.
The Thunderbolts and Newports toured the country visiting dealerships, and the Newport was selected as the 1941 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. They were all sold to private owners once their promotional value was exhausted and Lana Turner-perhaps through her involvement with New York Yankees owner Dan Topping-owned a red Newport.
The number of Chrysler Thunderbolts built is still in dispute. Some sources say five, others six. Four are accounted for today. One is displayed at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan, along with a Chrysler Newport. Two are in private collections, one in California.
The 1941 Thunderbolt sold here has a well-documented history and was recently painted red and silver with whitewall tires. Contrary to auction company statements, this Thunderbolt was not “hidden away”-it was displayed at the Concours on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in 2002.
When RM sold a Chrysler Newport at its March 2004 Amelia Island sale for $330,000, the SCM auction reporter stated “Value does not seem out of place here.” Since then, concept cars have appreciated four-fold.
This carried over to one sale last year at Barrett-Jackson, when a masterfully presented 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 concept car crossed the auction block. What transpired is still being talked about, as Speed Channel viewers recall an animated “Mr. Ferrari Hat” spending his boss’s money with abandon. The $3,240,000 sale was at least $2,000,000 higher than expected and started the boom in American dream cars.
One year later, a one-off 1952 Chrysler d’Elegance concept car sold for $1,188,000 and a 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Motorama concept reached $3,024,000 at the same auction. Toss in $4 million or so for a 1953 General Motors Futurliner “Parade of Progress” tour bus and things have changed dramatically. The unanswered question, of course, is will this trend continue or will values dive as quickly as they rose? Yes, these are all important cars, but once the current craze has passed, will they be worth $250,000 or ten times that amount? Only time will tell.