The High Museum of Art in Altanta, one of the leading art museums in the southeastern United States, has 17 of the most amazing concept cars ever designed on display from now until September 07,2014. These concept cars, were never intended for production but are the results of ideas dreamed up by designers. The "dream" represented by these cars was that of future possibilities and pushing the limits of imagination and design.

Some examples in this collection:

1953 General Motors Firebird XP-21.

The Firebird XP-21 was the first gas turbine-powered car built and tested in the United States. At the 1954 Motorama, General Motors made it clear this was a design study created to determine the practicality of the gas turbine for use in future vehicles.

BMW GINA Light Visionary Model, 2001
The GINA's shape could change through the use of flexible tensile fabric stretched over a moveable body frame of aluminum and flexible carbon fiber.

Norman Timbs Special, 1947

Mechanical engineer Norman Timbs created the Timbs Special for his personal use. This car graced the October 1949 cover of Motor Trend magazine, accompanied by a short article, "Home-Made Streamliner," a title that implied that anyone could make this car.

 Electric Egg (Paul Arzens L'Œuf électrique, 1942)

Designed under the duress of the German occupation of the city, L'Œuf électrique creatively responded to the period's shortages and rationing of petrol and other materials. It was equipped with only a single pedal and a steering wheel.

See the full collection and get more details here:  http://www.high.org/Art/Exhibitions/Dream-Cars.aspx

With over 4% of the U.S. GDP over 800,000 jobs depending on the U.S. auto manufacturing industry, it is no wonder why so many prefer to "Buy American".  However, with todays global economy its hard to tell which cars are really made in America.

To help consumers determine the most American made cars, the Kogod School of Business in Washington D.C. created the "Made in American Automotive Index".  The index considers a number of different factors to determine an American made rating for each car.   They look at the following:

Profit Margin: Where the automaker's global headquarters is located

• Where the car is assembled
• Research and Development
• Inventory, Capital, and Other Expenses: Location of assembly
• Engine and Transmission: Location of production
• Body, Interior, Chassis, Electrical, and Other: Location of production
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration AALA "Domestic Content" Score

So which 2014 models are the most American made?

 

• F-Series Pickup, Ford (score: 87.5 out of 100)
• Corvette, Chevrolet (score: 87.5)
• Enclave, Buick (score: 86)
• Traverse, Chevrolet (score: 86)
• Acadia, GMC (score: 86)
• Acadia Denali, GMC (score: 86)

See the full index here

 

Over 220 vintage vehicles from the 30's 40's and 50's will hit the auction block on June 7th, 2014 in Enid Oklahoma, from what is being called the Jordan Collection.

According to VanDerBrink Auctions, the collection was owned by Oliver Jordan, who kept the vehicles hidden from almost everyone, especially the government.  He was a fervent believer that no one had the right to tell him what to do with his life, business, or his cars. Both Oliver and his wife Ruby have now passed away, and now the family is now offering this amazing collection at auction to the highest bidder.

There are many rare finds in this collection including a 1936 Cord, a supercharged 1937 Cord, and a 1939 all Aluminum Lincoln 7 passenger Sedan.
Other desirable autos that are sure to excite car collectors are two1942 “blackout specials” – a Ford and a Chevy.  When these vehicles were made, the government had put restrictions on the use of ornamental shiny metal parts.

Everything will be sold at auction at no reserve, not just the vehicles, but
hundreds of collector parts from the 1930’s and 1940’s.   Ford, Chevy, Olds, Cadillac, Cord, Chrysler, Studebaker, included.

Click here to see the amazing pics from this collection and to find out more about the auction.