The 1938 Buick Y-Job aimed to redefine what was possible with automobiles decades ago, but General Motors still aims to embody that spirit with each new concept vehicle design sketched today.
The automaker has published a video surrounding the Buick Y-Job and has some of its lead designers reflect on why the concept car, the world’s first concept car at that, remains important all of these years later.
The Y-Job was a passion project by GM’s first design chief, Harley Earl, the same man responsible for founding the art and color department at the automaker. It featured incredibly forward-thinking innovations like a power convertible top, hydraulic windows and more.
Today, every concept vehicle is aimed to embody what Earl accomplished: excitement, buzz and pushing the boundaries as to what the automobile is capable of. Have a look at what designers have to say about the Y-Job and what it means to them today in the video right up above.
Comments
Harley Earl may have been the first in GM to produce concept cars, but I know that Ford and the other car manufacturers had their share of concepts but were not publicly known. All manufacturers produce concept designs as a preview of what the clients can expect and most do their own “alpha” tests withing the company clients and families ( a humorous verison happened in “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” where the husband tested a new beauty product on his wife).
We now accept concept vehicles being shown at auto exhibitions, but we who have years in the market or business know that many of the concepts never see the eyes of the public.
This video makes me sad. GM realizes the Avista was a beautiful concept car. They received critical accolades for it. They should reconsider their decision, and build it.