It looks like it came straight out of the universe of “Fallout,” a TV series set in an alternate reality of the 50s. But the car in the photos is real: a 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, one of the most fascinating and visionary concepts of the American pre-war automotive industry.
This sporty two-seater, conceived as a true “car of the future”, featured revolutionary technical and stylistic solutions at the time, including a fully retractable metal hardtop, folding headlights and electro-hydraulic doors. The Thunderbolt was created at LeBaron Studios, a division of the Briggs Manufacturing Company. The idea is attributed to Alex Tremulis, with direct involvement from engineer Fred Zeder, vice president of Chrysler Corporation.
The name is a reference to the famous vehicle of British Captain George Eyston, which reached a speed of over 357 km/h in 1938, setting a land speed record. This reference is not accidental: Thunderbolt was intended to embody progress, power and modernity, even though it remained only a show car.
Built on the Chrysler C-26 chassis, the Thunderbolt featured an aluminum body mounted on a steel frame. It was powered by an inline-eight engine that produced around 150 hp in the most powerful versions, and was connected to a semi-automatic three-speed "Fluid Drive" transmission.
The Chrysler impresses with its smooth flanks, concealed wheels and the absence of a classic radiator grille. The headlights are hidden in the bodywork and contribute to an extremely clean, art deco look. The hardtop, made entirely of metal, completely sinks into the rear, limiting the interior space to a continuous bench seat for three passengers.
The interior reflects the same desire for refinement: high-quality leather, a custom-made aluminum dashboard and, for those times, incredible electrical equipment with power windows, push-button door opening and advanced controls.
Unveiled at the 1940 New York Auto Show, the Thunderbolt traveled throughout the United States as a show car, helping to boost Chrysler's image at a crucial time. The outbreak of World War II abruptly interrupted development of the production model, and 1941 became the last full year of production before the transition to wartime production.
The Thunderbolt was produced in only five or six examples, each with a different paint color, and remains one of the rarest and most sought-after American concept cars to this day.
