Motorama years reflected a golden age of GM styling
Dream cars displayed the genius of Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell
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The first, called Transportation Unlimited, was held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York. Seeking a broader audience — and some oohs and aahs from the heartland that could turn into sales — GM changed the name to the flashier Motorama in 1953 and took the show on the road.
The eight shows featured about 50 concept cars, plus custom production models that had special paint, upholstery, accessories and trim.
The Motoramas grew in scope and complexity — and ended in 1961 because the cost of ever more elaborate displays outpaced the sales and public relations benefits.
The shows featured actors, singers and dancers performing in musical reviews. They were rolling proof that Harley Earl's, and later Bill Mitchell's, stylists were at the top of their game.
Here are 20 concepts and production cars from GM's Motorama era.
