Some Of History's Most Unique and Unusual Cars and Trucks

The Original Firebird

When General Motors got to work creating the original Firebird, we can't imagine they had plans to turn it into a civilian vehicle. Harley Earl, GM's chief design officer, mainly had these cars commissioned for auto shows throughout the 1950s. They wanted to show the world the incredible technology that GM was working with. They also wanted to prove that the automotive industry was moving ahead just as quickly as the aviation industry, and stole some styling to subconsciously imply it.

Now the GM firebird isn't to be confused with the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, a completely different car. That one was actually made for civilians to drive, but only barely.