Chrysler Turboflite car, London Motor Show 1962

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures the Chrysler Turboflite, one of the most radical concept cars ever produced, on display at the 1962 London Motor Show at Earls Court. Designed by Virgil Exner and built by the Italian coachbuilder Ghia, the Turboflite was a “dream car” intended to showcase Chrysler’s third-generation CR2A gas turbine engine. The image highlights the car’s most sensational feature: a large glass canopy that automatically pivots upwards when the doors open to allow passenger entry.

Another revolutionary detail visible is the massive rear wing supported by tall tail fins; this was not for downforce, but served as an air brake that flipped into a vertical position to provide deceleration, compensating for the lack of engine braking in early turbine powerplants. The car is finished in a striking copper-bronze paint with white-sidewall tyres that feature a unique additional white stripe within the tread itself. While the Turboflite never reached production, its dramatic styling elements—particularly the high-mounted wing—would later influence iconic muscle cars like the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird. This digital download is an extraordinary record of space-age automotive optimism, perfect to print for yourself as a piece of high-quality vintage wall art.