1957 Aurora Safety Car
The Aurora was an American automobile manufactured by Father Alfred A. Juliano, a Catholic priest, from 1957 to 1958. The Aurora is arguably the first Experimental Safety Vehicle ever made, even before the coinage of the ESV initialism. This safety car was to be available with a Chrysler, Cadillac, or Lincoln engine, built on a Buick chassis. However, the Aurora Motor Company of Branford, Connecticut, partially funded by Juliano’s congregation, went out of business after producing just one $30,000 prototype.
The Aurora concept, which is also known as the Aurora Safety Car, is an intriguing piece of American automotive industry that we couldn’t overlook, now that we’re hosting a virtual, month-long celebration of American engineering and skill with our American Month coverage. Aurora was the world’s safest car – the first one to ever hold that title, in an era when the idea of passenger safety wasn’t even on the radar with carmakers. It’s also quite possibly the single most ugly vehicle ever built.
Built on 1953 Buick frame, the body was mostly fiberglass over plywood structure, which Juliano claimed was corrosion proof and dent proof. He also used shatterproof plastic windows, a built in roll cage, seat belts, padded instrument panel and a collapsible steering wheel. Many of these features are used in cars today making these safety features ahead of their time in 1957.
Hydraulic jacks, activated by a dashboard control, lifted the Aurora off the ground for service.
The oddly bubble-shaped windshield, made from shatterproof resin, had no wipers because Juliano said it was so aerodynamic, raindrops blew away. The bubble curved out, away from occupants, to minimize head injuries. The roof was a stunning panoramic dome, with metal blinds inside.
The driver’s seat was toward the center of the car, for better protection in a side impact. There were four seats, each with seat belts, still a revolutionary idea at the time.
The seats had high, reinforced backs and were mounted on a pedestal that could be rotated so, in case of an impending crash, they could be spun backwards.
And finally, the car was restored and re-shown again at the prestigious event of Goodwood Festival of Speed 2005. Since then, it has been displayed at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK. And here we able to see, at least the Aurora had better fate better than Sir Vival were laid to be forgotten and being rusty slowly along with time.
