What if?

Graeme.  To me it could be a vision for the early Dodge Dart 61-62 models from the side.  The Grille gives off a hint of Ford and the tail reminds me of Oldsmobile.  

I am thinking 'Thunderbird'. Perhaps a plan to supersede the Squarebird ? Or Sunliner concept ?

I like it and I wonder if it was a Ford design at Dearborn for a possible 4-door Thunderbird concept.

Frontal sides look similar to 62 Skylark somewhat. Buick or Olds concept??

I say it's a Ford...front fender looks like a '61 Buick. 

I'm with Tony on Buick or Oldsmobile.

The building in the background of the first image may help as might the identity of the two cars in the background of the second shot. I believe many images after 1956 of GM concepts and dream cars were taken at the new General Motors Design Center in Michigan. I think Chrysler took many pictures outdoors at their design studios in Highland Park, MI.

I'm fairly certain those are early 1960 Ford proposals that eventually morphed into this:

I vaguely remember this design study. I think it was an early proposal for a 61 Ford or Mercury. 

Well, it’s all quite confusing, isn’t it?

Those pointy front fenders are pure ’61 T-Bird. Or ‘62 Buick Skylark! To my eyes the grille is Ford-like, but also reminiscent of the ’62 Oldsmobile. The roof and rear pillar have hints of 1960 Ford styling, including a distinct resemblance to the original Falcon roof.  The big curved rear window is 1960 Ford hardtop. The creases on the flanks say early 60’s Chrysler.

In fact, the source for the rear view photo says it is a 1960 Mercury Marauder concept. The source for the front view photo says “1960 Mercury Marauder” followed by a question mark. Neither site has any accompanying text giving any background or confirmation.

To keep you guessing a little while longer I cheated by painting out the nameplate on the rear. It isn’t legible but it does have the right number of letters for “Mercury”.

It seems a little curious because even if the proposed Marauder was going to be Ford-based I wouldn’t have thought they would allow Mercury to share the new T-Bird’s iconic bullet nose and front bumper styling. Maybe this was actually a T-Bird proposal but it looks a bit too big and “soft” for a T’Bird.

Anyway, it appears to belong in the Ford stable, and I think it is real pretty. (I prefer the version with the matching crease on the lower flanks. Looks better balanced.)

p.s. Another Mercury concept whose existence is definitely confirmed is this proposal for the 1964 Montego.

Crisp and handsome, but they gave up on it. Quite possibly because they realised they'd just re-invented the '61 Pontiac.

Two shots a little clearer. Source does say Mercury Marauder Concept and a question mark but the site does not seem to be viable. Mercurymarauder.com and/or .net

My money (both dollars) is on it being a mock up for a 1960 Ford.  It was my immediate impression and also the hubcaps are correct.  My second guess is a 1961 Goggomobile......

Posted by: @jack-dodds

My money (both dollars) is on it being a mock up for a 1960 Ford.  It was my immediate impression and also the hubcaps are correct.  My second guess is a 1961 Goggomobile......

Don't you mean Gonegonemobile??

Posted by: @jack-dodds

My money (both dollars) is on it being a mock up for a 1960 Ford.  It was my immediate impression and also the hubcaps are correct.  My second guess is a 1961 Goggomobile......

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