The 1950s were the Golden Age for Detroit car designers as they experimented with tail fins, various screen angles, rocket-shaped fenders and, in general, all kinds of configurations, launching wonderful concept cars at Motor Shows.
The Chrysler Corporations’ Vice President of Styling, the famed Virgil Exner, was responsible in one way or another for most of the company’s concepts cars at the time, including this 1956 Chrysler Plainsman study.
The Plainsman is a unique two-door station wagon with seating for up to eight with many novel features such as the rear-facing third row of seats that are power operated to raise or sink in the trunk.
Chrysler built a fully functional chassis with a complete drivetrain and then shipped it to Italy and famed coachbuilder Ghia that crafted the body. It then returned back to the States to be displayed at various auto shows.
However, due to the fact it was considered an import, Chrysler was told by US Customs that the concept would have to either leave the country or pay the duty in 18 months.
In 1957, the Detroit-based automaker shipped the concept to Cuba where it was loaned to the president of the Cuban bank who used it as his daily ride. Shortly after, it passed on to Chrysler’s main Cuban car dealer who fitted a 440-cu engine that still powers it today. After the revolution, he was forced to leave Cuba with his belongings including the Chrysler Plainsman concept.
Last year, RM Auctions put it up for sale with a US$250,000-300,000 price estimate – but it wasn’t sold, as the highest bid was US$160,000. Now it is once again up for sale, this time on eBay.
The seller says that similar concepts have been sold for US$500,000-880,000 in the past six years, but he is willing to settle for much less. So far, there have been 47 bids, with the highest reaching US$30,303, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
If you’re interested, you still have three days to make your move, as the auction ends at October 27.
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