Helluva Car For 1951... [PIC]

Rich Sufficool · 2026-04-03T13:48:44Z

General Motors Le Sabre concept car was their first Motorama entry and it was the future. From its cyclopean nose that housed the flip-up headlamps to the jet exhaust tail design with futuristic tail fins, this 2 seat roadster was just filled with innovations. The wrap-around windscreen that would soon be a standard feature on GM's lineup fronted an electrically operated soft top that was activated by a water sensor. All the luxury operating appointments are powered by a 12v system that would also be mainstream. The powertrain included an experimental 335 HP, 215 cid, supercharged aluminum V8... with hemispherical heads! Initially it was accompanied by Buick's Dynaflow transmission and later the GM Hydromatic incorporated into a transaxle. Made from aluminum, magnesium and fiberglass the car could be lifted by electric jacks to facilitate tire changing. The tail fins were actually functional containing 2X20 gal. aircraft style rubberized fuel bladders. The fuel for the Hemi V8 could be gasoline or methanol. This was Harley Earl's post war update from his Buick Y-Job of 1938. It became Earl's daily driver when the car was retired from the auto show circuit. It still exists in driving form today. I remember way back when when Franklin Mint released this model and I hoped for more Motorama concepts, but it never happened.

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George Schire

(@georgeschire)

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Joined: 6 years ago

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05/04/2026 9:07 am

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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@georgeschire Although I have a large collection , I have no regrets about buying every single model in my collection. They are there for a purpose and I enjoy every one of them.

Mr. Jackman, believe me I'm right behind you in having no regrets buying every model I did. And when I relax and look them, I always feel like it's a little glimpse of Heaven.

George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota

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