Motor Car of the Future (1918)

The March 10, 1918 Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA) ran this illustration of the motor car of the future. If so inclined, one can read the entire article here. But let's face it, you're just here for the pretty pictures.

The new car will be all glass-enclosed and controlled entirely by a set of push buttons. It will have no clutch, gears or transmission, will sit low, have small clearance and punctureless tires.

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• Oil and Gas Will Eventually be Exhausted (1909)
• City of the Future Postcards (circa 1910)
• Edison Battery Solves Old Problems (1909)
• Aerial Mono-Flyer of the Future (1918)

Comments

[Rob]

Looks like an UltraPRT podcar. Not too far off at all.

[Ezzthetic]

We already have that.

It's called a "tram".

[Dr. Schluss]

That's an impressive newspaper. I think you should really stick that into the main post. Meanwhile, I'm still unwilling to drive an automatic transmission car. Guess it's not a particularly accurate prediction.

[Maxwell Hammer]

Why would it have low clearance? That seems inconvient and likely to get stuck in the rough terrain that the illustration shows.

Now, if it were hovercar.....

[Gary F]

Why would anyone want to drive a car with a Playstation's D-pad when it can't even go over a speed bump? Give me a Model T any day.

[Jeux]

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[Martin]

Not a bad article that; compared to the cars at the time, modern cars are indeed much lower, tyres rarely puncture, controls are via buttons rather than leavers, what leavers remain are assisted (power stearing, power brakes), there is much more glass around, they are pretty much weatherproof, etc, etc.

On the other hand drivers are much scruffier now, and rarely sport such excellent moustaches.

[Infiniti parts]

The Infinity vehicles never did give names to their cars, instead consistently using letters and numbers to designate the coupes, sedans and the SUVs. With the Infinity Q45 being the flagship sedan, the Infinity found its place in the American market.The Infinity vehicles never did give names to their cars, instead consistently using letters and numbers to designate the coupes, sedans and the SUVs.

Thanks

Infiniti parts

http://www.iautobodyparts.com/infiniti/

[Holy]

Wow that would be a fun riding in such cars then. Its interesting i liked reading it, but it is gonna be in reality or not.

r4i firmware

[Spudd86]

What is with futurists and REALLY ugly designs that have glaring usability problems?

[Christopher]

It actually looks a lot like the Dymaxion Car, which was designed by Buckmeister Fuller and Starling Burgess in the 1930's.

http://www.washedashore.com/projects/dymax/