Categories: This Day

April 5, 1940 – The Buick Y-Job makes its press debut

Largely considered the first industry concept car, the Buick Y-Job racked up many miles before finally debuting to the media on this day in 1940. Designed by Harley Earl and company as a design exercise that incorporated technological advancement and design innovations, the Y-Job acted as a test mule for many GM styling and engineering practices that later became common.

The Y-Job, built on a 1938 Buick Super chassis, featured hidden headlights, flush door handles, hideaway top, and wraparound bumpers. Many of its styling queues are found on the next generation of GM automobiles, particularly Buicks themselves.

Harley Earl drove the Buick Y-Job as his personal vehicle until 1951. GM later donated it to the Henry Ford Museum, where it underwent restoration. The museum later returned the car to GM. Today it lives in the General Motors Heritage Collection.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

March 26, 1879 – Othmar Ammann, NYC bridge designer, is born

Othmar Ammann may not be a familiar name to most, but if you live in…

5 days ago

The History of the Arizona Automotive Industry

Lucid Air by Mr.choppers - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138255918 Arizona may not be…

5 days ago

March 25, 1930 – Larry Shinoda, designer of Corvettes and Mustangs, is born

Larry Shinoda (Ford) Lawrence Kiyoshi Shinoda was born on March 25, 1930, in Los Angeles,…

6 days ago

March 19, 1999 – Ford establishes Premier Automotive Group

2000 Land Rover Discovery, from the year Ford purchased Land Rover. Ford Motor Company's Premier…

2 weeks ago

March 18, 1858 – Rudolf Diesel’s birthday

On this day in 1858 Rudolf Diesel, would later patent the type of engine by…

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2006 – The last Chevrolet SSR is built

On March 17, 2006, Chevrolet built the last example of one of the most unconventional…

2 weeks ago