1938 Buick Y-Job Concept
The 1938 Buick Y-Job, credited to famed designer Harley Earl, is regarded as the first concept car ever built. Its waterfall grille is still used on Buicks today, and it featured futuristic technologies like power windows. Earl drove the car himself for more than a decade.
The creation of the industry’s first concept car was the work of Harley Earl and his organization now known as GM Design. Built on a 1937 Buick chassis, Earl sought to combine his vision of the automobile with new technologies and features to create a benchmark for future designs. Features like hidden headlights, flush door handles, a convertible top concealed by a metal deck and electrically operated windows all found their way into production cars. In 1939 the press reported the Y-Job was more than a concept car, it was the “Car of the Future”.
Specifications
Engine:
- Type: Inline-8 (Straight-8)
- Displacement: 5.2 liters (320 cubic inches)
- Power Output: Approximately 141 horsepower
Transmission:
- Type: 3-speed manual
Dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 126 inches
- Length: Approximately 208 inches
- Width: 75 inches
- Height: 58 inches
Chassis:
- Body Style: Two-door convertible
- Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR layout)
Design:
- Sleek, streamlined bodywork with a low, wide stance.
- Concealed headlights that were a forerunner to the hidden headlights used in later models.
- Integrated bumpers and a smooth, flowing design with minimal protrusions.
- Sweeping fender lines that blended into the body.
Interior:
- Luxurious leather seats and high-quality materials.
- Power-operated windows, which were a novelty at the time.
- A retractable soft top that stowed neatly out of sight when lowered.
- Modern, aircraft-inspired dashboard with advanced instrumentation.
Innovations:
- Power-operated convertible top, one of the earliest instances of this feature.
- Power windows, which were quite advanced for the era.
- Electric doors and hidden door handles to enhance the sleek exterior look.
- Advanced suspension for a smoother ride.
Styling:
- Iconic waterfall grille, which would become a signature Buick design element.
- Wraparound bumpers that seamlessly integrated with the bodywork.
- Smooth, uninterrupted body surfaces with minimal chrome detailing.
