1959 GM Firebird III

The 1959 GM Firebird III was by far the most intriguing and influential of the Motorama Firebirds. Built in 1958, it was the only member of the Firebird trio to have any direct impact on the design of General Motors production vehicles. The 1959 Cadillac featured some of the Firebird III's surface development and its severe rocker panel tuck-under. The 1961 Caddy picked up the Firebird's rear skegs - those stubby little fins that hung down off the bottoms of the rear fenders.
The Firebird III broke a number of legendary GM designer Harley Earl's styling rules and that's one of the reasons it became such an important design. It had very little chrome and no parallel lines. The vehicle also put the ultimate twist on tailfins. GM entertained plans for a Firebird IV that went as far as a full-sized wooden frame, but the program's greatest legacy was to give its name to the Pontiac pony cars starting in 1967.

[@garyd1125]

The cone of silence😂😂

[@davidkastin4240]

What? 😂

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@davidkastin4240Mr. B. Here ! 🍸🍸👀😎👍🇺🇸. The TV show Get Smart ! LOL

[@davidhaynes3126]

17,000 RPM. 😮

[@davidhaynes3126]

I liked the single seat more. I’d love to show up at work in an F104.

[@Kickinpony66]

That is the perfect Husband and Wife car! Man, it's awesome they drive it!

[@ronaldgarrison8478]

Yes, it's perfect. They won't have any communication problems, because they won't have any!

[@jfboomerang1310]

Definitely the ride of a Superhero.

[@architypeone8646]

Dennis, I have to say that the "Stasch" is becoming epic! That think has a life of it's own.

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Seen this on documentaries and stuff my whole life but never like this and so cool and unreal it's been kept maintained and operable and you got to actually ride in it... but you know I was sorely disappointed in the lack of burnouts!

[@crocglox7797]

Perhaps the funniest ever episode of MCC. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Geolog66]

I remember seeing pictures of this car in a book about "cars of the future", back when I was a kid. It is amazing to think that not only the car still exists, but is still running! Great video!

[@erykmozejko3329]

”what RPM’s is she doing ?” ”What?” ”I said how many RPM’S?“ ”Oh, I see. No thanks I haven’t had Breakfast yet.” ”What?“

[@OMEGATECH]

"Atomic Batteries to Power! Turbines to Speed!"

[@sntstafford]

“You Little Rascal!!!”

[@jorgejefferson8251]

That thing is crazy, makes the Tesla Cyber truck look almost normal......almost

[@marktatum2592]

"To Infinity and Beyond!"

[@cayenne7792]

🎵🎶 Here he comes, here comes speed racer he's a demon on wheels🎶🎵🎵🎶🎶🎵🎶

[@hoagiesherlin7732]

Those were the days

[@UrAlienBestFriend]

This is absolutely amazing 😂❤

[@danam0228]

I love thos thing. Amazing, especially since it is 65 years old

[@demnis]

Hi again from the D MI USA 😁 hey thanks for sharing your time and Awesome video 👍🤩 and WOW what a really cool Car 🎉💪🔥😎

[@DonnieDarko727]

"Your Scientists Were So Preoccupied With Whether Or Not They Could, They Didn’t Stop To Think If They Should."

[@Charlesb88]

Well at least this car eats nothing but lots of gas.

[@poncho6784]

What is astounding is that it wasn’t crushed after testing and that they STILL actually take it out on the road!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 🍸🍸👀😎👍. For kid in 1959 was this was what you hope you can get ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jeffrowlette]

I love it!

[@elpatudo3670]

"Yer not gonna kill me right?" 😅😂🤣

[@CarlosVazquez-p4c]

So much for seeing 👀 them on the Smokey and the Bandit movies 🎬 and Nightrider 📺 🖥 shows 😢.

[@JimiBurleigh]

I saw that car at the Seattle World's Fair in 1962. It's even featured in the Elvis Presley film "It Happened At the World's Fair".

[@charlesmarsh9608]

Another classic survivor.

[@creepingjesus5106]

It looks like it's doing 100mph standing still! *Three years later, flat out, it gets to 60mph*

[@creepingjesus5106]

@@dkstudioart Yeah, absolutely. I remember reading about that control system years ago, but that's the first time I've seen it driven (I think!). It was a brave attempt, but asking far too much of the available technology. All sorts of problems there, leading to it wandering all over the road at any speed.

[@douglasbrand9616]

The Chrysler turbine car of a few years later seemed to be a lot more practical.

[@bryduhbikeguy]

Thank you for sharing this with us.What a Wonderful concept. It's just odd seeing what looks like the Plymouth airplane badges with the white,blue...

[@Andoniscars]

thank you

[@jorgejefferson8251]

OOh, that Vette sounded sweet

[@martinmckeeman5139]

cool... what a car

[@davidcrawford219]

Love Batmobile 🎉

[@bartsimpson6767]

Looks like a jet fighter, slower than a glider...

[@Freedomquest08]

One of these is the car of the future that sort of was. The Firebird 2 could be the concept car nightmare that drove Virgil Exner insane, as seen with the '60 Valiant.

[@DocProdusser]

The owner is nimble like a turtle. Funny watch, thanks for uploading. I liked the car too.

[@RyanEfff]

Do you trust me to steer this thing? "....i cant hear you..."

[@brucemitchell5637]

Hard to believe that this was built in 1959 WITHOUT the use of computers!

[@seancrowley1065]

Not really since all it took was skill, talent, and an eye for detail.

[@stutterpunk9573]

@@seancrowley1065 yeah, plus weve been hand making beautiful complicated shit for thousands of years, it only makes sense

[@captlazer5509]

It did have the wedge car look in the front. Something that would should up in car design a decade later.

[@tims8603]

Reminds me of the 'cone of silence'. That thing never worked.

[@bennyboogenheimer4553]

Doc, Forget the looks, THAT Turbine engine has to be worth Gold! In 66 the Rockefellers sued GM, saying they copied Chrysler's Gas Turbine engine, to closely, and the federal courts agreed. They did want cars running on anything but their gas from their wells, FOREVER!

[@mke723]

Interesting

[@randomdeadpool]

"Does it come in black?" -Batman

[@buddyroeginocchio9105]

For thinking outside the box A+++. The greatest impact is the visual space age styling; come and see at the auto show, imagine how it might drive, ignore that it is more complicated than starting up an F86. I'll admit to being inspired by this show car when I was 14, but would I ever want to own one or drive it? Well, that never was the point anyway was it?

[@danmar007]

Interesting how many cars of the future have become cars of the past.

[@buddyroeginocchio9105]

The stuff that dreams were made of, too bad we have lowered the expectations of our dreams though.

[@douglasb.1203]

Applause.

[@OfficialNo44]

RWD Imagine seeing this thing drift

[@davidhaynes3126]

Reminds me of Advanced generation fighter aircraft. No stick in the conventional sense Giant vacuum cleaner

[@9014jayvictor]

The problem with driving a one off antique is the performance does not match the body ! I remember buiding this model as a kid ! I loved the joystick idea even then ! I will have to loook up the specs for this car ! Fuel back then was between 15.9 cents for kerosine ans 35.9 cents a gallon for premium gasoline ! Loved the stying ! It was an expensive car to drive even in its day !! Oh Tooo loud !

[@Wargasm54]

Jet engines that propel you up to 30 mph 😂. Amazing

[@jettmthebluedragon]

Rip to a car that never had a chance 🥲I saw a real model of one in Detroit in the DIA car event 🙂I hope hotwheels makes a dicast model of this car as I’m a big fan of firebirds 😎and other stuff 🙂

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I love the front end, but the bubbles and wings are a bit much

[@buddyroeginocchio9105]

Looks kinda like a precursor to Jaws.

[@stutterpunk9573]

when was this filmed??? it looks so nostalgic

[@donaldbohn3183]

Almost looks like a George Barris design.

[@bigsarge2085]

😎

[@iplaymytele]

I’ve seen this car my whole life. I didn’t know it was that slow….. Seems like it would be hard to control with the steer by wire at high speeds …..

[@graemeottey927]

And you thought a straight piped GM V6 was a horrible noise. And those dome panel gaps give Tesla a run for its money.

[@chilledtea6614]

When did this originally air?

[@echodelta9]

I thought it was cool as hell in the early 60's. Like wearing glasses and get a spot of water and you can't see, no wipers. Today RainX would work with that stream flowing off?

[@dukeallen432]

Can always spot corporate credit card user that expenses meals. Think just hearing Dennis was a good thing.

[@williamhenry3337]

I had the privilege of spending about 4 hours with Jay Leno at his two LARGE garages (Home Depot size) years ago. He has the only 1963 Chrysler turbine concept car privately owned. It's a much more civilized car. Still never made the cut. I did see one on the road in 1963 in my home town. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGOkZpygiph8rNUfeature=shared

[@raulduke6105]

Next up: Flying cars !

[@MrBoondocker247]

Turbines to speed, atomic batteries to power... Let's go crime fight. Great car if you have a nagging partner.

[@MrJoeWeber]

Looks like Kensington park in Milford Michigan.

[@jasonlockard1918]

No wonder they scrapped that idea seems like a horrible idea for numerous reasons

[@GA-br8wj]

Wouldn´t you like to drive a sluggish vacuum cleaner?

[@nickkeizer3722]

You learn more from a failed experiment than a successful one.

[@GA-br8wj]

That moustache is a hair away from being self aware!!!

[@RDEnduro]

Respect the stach

[@Billn1971]

🤣

[@eggjoe122]

Fire Chicken

[@964cuplove]

A) you can’t kiss the girl B) try that on a sunny day 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@7cougar0]

That's not a girl. It's Dennis!

[@marcelbruinsma]

Totally not practical but supercool!

[@erykmozejko3329]

Would have made a difference to car chase scenes. Both sets of protagonists run the jump into their cars, spend the next seven minutes sitting there only 20 feet apart while waiting for the engines to warm up and finally get to speed.

[@rareform6747]

Karen , Don't Touch That Red Button and stop lip syncing !

[@MichaelGajdos]

Transforming fuel into noise. BUT WITH A STYLE

[@a.c.m.e.ink.4568]

Road rager beware, if this thing pulls up behind you!! You've been warned!! 😆😂🚀💥🔥

[@darrellyelity3648]

I can see why this car never made production. Could you imagine letting out a fart in that thing. You are literally being forced to smell your own fart because it cannot escape the cabin.😂

[@RDEnduro]

How does air get in your car with the windows up

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

No one does that in this car on account of being completely puckered the entire time you're in it!

[@lrich8181]

@@RDEnduro It has A/C

[@buddyroeginocchio9105]

Look closely at the door to windshield fit; no gaskets, almost 1/4" gap. Those crafty GM guys thought of everything.

[@GCSol]

I felt sorry for Dennis, Mike has no personality.

[@Wargasm54]

I was thinking the same thing. But I decided to cut him some slack because he’s driving a car with no steering wheel or brake pedal 😅.

[@KillyJoe]

Ya

[@russellsimonson1047]

All show no go. 🥱

[@babakgholian3467]

We would have like to know what was the top speed of this car ?

[@MitchRuth]

Aren’t you supposed to bring the atomic batteries to power before you bring the turbines to speed?

[@johnroznovsky212]

Frightening auto. Jay took a similar car up to speed. Exhilarating, as long as it doesn’t need to stop.

[@jasoncarlson4285]

They should take the jet out and stick a Rotary Engine in it with a turbo, then it would take of like a Jet should..

[@daniellatimer1876]

Sounds a bit like the Chrysler Turbine car.

[@somejackball]

i'll admit, i'm feeling a little anxiety from that mustache 🙄

[@shawnathon60]

Can you imagine being in that thing w/ ION batteries,,, Oh, hell NOO!

[@Exotic_Flash]

These guys hate each other 🤣

[@MyClassicCarTV]

I don’t think so. 🤔

[@tyronebiggims1613]

Boy ow they should have toped off the tires first.. front left is flat others soft.whitewalls kill me.. Im sorry/what,/come again/who what..After the drive denny said that big guy must have had beans for lunch.. ''Quote ''wooo weee.

[@tyronebiggims1613]

The big guy acted like he wasnt getting paid .very rasp.dont you think..dennis is always a cool dude..

[@alphawoolf5981]

Better to look at than to drive, it's so LOUD!

[@rosini112]

Agreed, it would be a great museum piece. Though it might be fun to drive once.

[@MichaelGajdos]

Transforming fuel into...noise

[@Friedbrain11]

I believe there are bicyclists that can go faster LOL.I'd rather have that Vette. It si yummy!

[@ronlee1949]

I kept waiting for him to get on it. It was kind of a letdown.

[@MyClassicCarTV]

Sadly, that’s all it could do. Lotta show but almost no go. Still pretty cool piece of history tho!

[@JohnSmith-yw4bh]

uploaded 8 days ago.....filmed 20 years ago

[@MyClassicCarTV]

23 years ago actually. Aged like a fine wine.🍷 🙂

[@JohnSmith-yw4bh]

@@MyClassicCarTV i absolutely agree. it took me 5 minutes to realize it was in 4:3 haha and you haven"t aged a day.

[@logicn.reasoning9744]

Why even take it out of the parking lot?

[@fox10mulder13]

Sounds like a vacuum

[@stutterpunk9573]

there was NOT only three turbine gm cars. at all lol

[@donaldbohn3183]

It..... was......so......Slow! But hilarious.

[@ericpersson3724]

Made in the usa 🥱

[@godsowndrunk1118]

Horrifying....the M -1 tank I drove was faster than that.

[@sdgtr4]

worse than yugo

[@scoutandscooter]

Best and worst car ever.

[@rogerrolex6981]

Stupid question; you know how to drive it right???? LoL Dumb idea NO STEERING WHEEL

[@maxsager139]

Covid cars

[@marcob4630]

too slow and loud: useless!

[@seattlebeard]

Impractical noisy death trap. My bicycle goes faster.

[@MyClassicCarTV]

Yeah, but does your bicycle look this outlandish?