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20/01/2026 11:49 am
Originally conceived to sport Ford's nascent gas turbine engine that never happened, this 1955 Ford "Mystere" wound up a bit of a mystery. The exterior and interior designs of their Advanced Styling Studio were handed to Creative Industries for the build due to their expertise working with fiberglass and plexiglass. Known in the styling biz as a 'glider' or 'pushmobile'. it had no engine or running gear. The interior and exterior were beautifully crafted with many design cues that would appear on the '57 production cars with the "V" motif of the body and the diagonal tail fins. The turbine did work its way into the Boeing turbine '55 Thunderbird. Along with all the "space Age" exterior trim, the interior was full of forward looking features with 4 bucket seats and a CRT TV in the rear console. The 'throw-over' steering yoke allowed the passenger to drive the car. Ford held up the debut of the Mystere until January of 1956 Chicago Auto Show. The Mystere still exists today in the Henry Ford Museum.
20/01/2026 11:56 am
Ugly now, futuristic then. Interesting post Rich. Thank you.
20/01/2026 12:34 pm
Thanks, Rich. I love looking at these show cars and deciphering which design elements would appear on production vehicles.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Tony Perrone and Rich Sufficool reacted
20/01/2026 12:43 pm
Thanks Rich. I have a resin 1/43 model of this car and it creates a lot of conversation from groups touring my collection.
20/01/2026 2:23 pm
It is a true "dream-car" and foretold several exterior design features that would appear on Ford automobiles. Nice one !
Rich Sufficool and Tony Perrone reacted