1951 Buick La Sabre Concept
The Buick LeSabre is a full-size car made by the division Buick of General Motors from 1959 until 2005. Prior to 1959, this position had been retained by the full-size Buick Special model (1936–58). The “LeSabre”, which is French for “the sabre” was Buick’s mid-level full-size sedan above the Special but below the Electra during the 1960s then remained in its market position when the Electra was replaced with the Park Avenue. The LeSabre was available as a 2-door convertible, sedan or hardtop, a 4-door sedan or hardtop and station wagon throughout its production.
The LeSabre nameplate made its first appearance on the 1951 Le Sabre show car, which introduced the world to aircraft-inspired design elements such as the wrap-around windshield and tail fins.
This 1951 Buick LeSabre Concept Car had a futuristic body design that was clearly influenced by aircraft styling and engineering. It was constructed of aluminum and lightweight cast magnesium and was used by the company as a rolling engineering laboratory.
The styling was nothing short of artwork for this Buick LeSabre. Earl designed the first wraparound windshield that was said to give the driver a panoramic view. It also saw the likes of GM’s first rear brake coolers that used functioning rear scoops on the back quarter-panel. They were designed not only to cool the brakes but also the battery that was positioned in the back.
Another feature that may really stun you is the automatic sensors that could recognize rain and put your rag-top and windows up without you being around to control them. The Buick even had a backup source of power so if your battery were to die you could still at least control features like the radio, windows, and the rag-top.
The LeSabre was built to be roadworthy so that following its tour on the auto show circuit, it could become Earl’s personal automobile – and it was, for two years. The body is made of aluminum, magnesium, and fiberglass and the car is powered by a 215 cubic-inch aluminum, 335 horsepower supercharged V8 engine designed to run on both gasoline and ethanol with two separate fuel tanks and two carburetors.
It features GM’s first rear-mounted HydraMatic transmission along with a 12-volt electrical system, heated seats, electric headlamps concealed behind the central ‘jet intake’ front bumper Dagmars, a water sensor to activate the power top, and electric jacks integral to the chassis. Along with its predecessor, the Buick Y-Job, it is perhaps the most famous concept car of all time.
The interior even showed a little bit of aeronautical passion in it with a dashboard that included an altimeter, tachometer, and a compass.
The 1951 LeSabre concept is unveiled. Inspired by the F-86 Sabre jet and probably the most influential dream car from Earl’s vision, the LeSabre concept features a one-touch top that closes automatically at a drop of rain, heated power seats, illuminated knobs and switches, a power antenna, and the world’s first wrap-around windshield. The concept influences car design for decades.
