In 1939, amidst a world captivated by art deco design and futuristic dreams, General Motors unveiled the Pontiac Ghost Car—a transparent marvel that exposed the very heart of automotive engineering.
Crafted from groundbreaking acrylic plastic, this $25,000 masterpiece not only showcased cutting-edge materials science but symbolized the bold spirit of innovation that defined the “World of Tomorrow.” Decades later, its legacy continues as a one-of-a-kind testament to human ingenuity and creativity.
A Crystal Clear Vision
The Ghost Car is said to have emerged from a collaboration between General Motors, Fisher Body Co., and Rohm & Haas, which had been developing automotive safety glass through extensive research in the mid-1930s. (ref)
The transparent marvel cost $25,000 to produce – equivalent to over $500,000 today – and featured a body crafted entirely from crystal-clear acrylic sheets.
The breakthrough came when Rohm & Haas discovered that one of their acrylic compounds used in safety glass lamination could function independently as a transparent material.
To enhance its otherworldly appearance, engineers plated the underlying structural steel panels with copper and chrome, creating a striking visual contrast that emphasized the car’s transparency.
Engineering Marvel
The Ghost Car was built on the chassis of a 1939 Pontiac Deluxe Six, featuring an 85-horsepower, 222.7 cubic inch L-head six-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission. (ref)
The vehicle maintained all standard mechanical components, including coil spring independent front suspension and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
Every rubber component, from the moldings to the tires, was manufactured in pristine white by U.S. Royal (now Uniroyal), creating a striking contrast against the transparent body.
The car’s construction involved various fabrication methods, with Rohm & Haas crafting the acrylic panels using GM’s engineering drawings.
Legacy & Preservation
After the World’s Fair, it was displayed at the Smithsonian Institution from 1942 to 1947. The vehicle has been meticulously preserved, accumulating just 86 miles on its odometer while maintaining its original white tires.
In 2011, it made headlines when it crossed the auction block for $308,000, demonstrating its enduring value as a unique piece of automotive history.
Today, it stands as one of the most significant examples of pre-war automotive innovation, representing a pivotal moment when the industry dared to reimagine the very concept of car design.
Symbol of Innovation
The Ghost Car represented the optimistic spirit of innovation that defined the 1939 World’s Fair’s “World of Tomorrow” theme. Alongside other exhibits like GM’s Futurama, which predicted the interstate highway system, the transparent Pontiac showcased America’s technological prowess during a transformative period.
The vehicle’s creation coincided with significant developments in synthetic materials, including the recent invention of nylon by DuPont and various other polymer innovations that would soon revolutionize manufacturing.
The Ghost Car’s legacy extends beyond its novelty, serving as a testament to the collaborative spirit between the automotive and chemical industries that would shape the future of transportation.
It remains one of the most unique vehicles ever created, representing a perfect fusion of art, engineering, and showmanship.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.