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Topic starter
16/02/2026 12:09 pm
The 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74 was the last of the Harley Earl designed concept cars. Originally designed with '59 Cadillac tail fins, it was altered in 1964 to mimic the '60-'64 Caddy's more subdued fins. The huge protruding Dagmars now housed a functioning radar system as a crash avoidance system. The silvered (UV protectant) bubble top electronically opened in conjunction with the sliding doors. It is powered by a modified 350 HP 389 cid V8 with a rear transaxle with the exhaust ported in front of the front wheels. It has a transceiver device for two-way communications with people outside when the bubble is closed. The turbine styled taillights follow the space age design cues that are quite similar to the '61 -'64 Fords. The made the show circuit for well into the mid-60s and was never sold and resides at GM's Heritage Museum.
16/02/2026 1:48 pm
I have all of the 1:18-scale Minichamps models, sans the fake colors.
Wish they had done more of these great models.
David Green and Christopher Moroni reacted
16/02/2026 2:01 pm
Where would General Motors have been and what would their vehicles have looked like without Harley Earl? What an amazing career!
Yes sir, a great Cadillac concept that obviously influenced years of design.
Minichamps churned out some real beauties with their resin concepts in 1/18 & 1/43. I cut them a bit slack for not tooling any opening features - as I suspect not many panels & doors actually opened on the 1:1 concepts/show cars either. 😏
16/02/2026 2:03 pm
Topic starter
16/02/2026 3:46 pm
@chris God!!! What a beast. Although the production TPC was quite the over the top land yacht itself.
16/02/2026 6:43 pm
@joop I have all of the MiniChamps concept cars in 1/43 scale. I ran out of room for 1/18 scale.
Rich Sufficool and Christopher Moroni reacted