gaca2go
08-22-2015, 03:48 PM
A "Once-in-a-Lifetime" Event is coming to Tucson...
ULTMATE FINS: Designing GM's 1958 FIREBIRD III Motorama Dreamcar
DATE: Saturday, October 3, 2015
SEMINAR: 4:00pm
LOCATION: Museum of Contemporary Art - Tucson (MOCA)
ADDRESS: 265 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 (downtown, adjacent to the Tucson Convention Center)
ADMISSION: see website for ticket prices, event and showtime information
EVENT DESCRITION:
It has been called one of the most important pieces of American automotive design of the twentieth century. Its technology was bold and cutting edge, and it remains the undisputed epitome of finned-era design.
http://www.tucsonmotorama.com/TMWpromo4PYForum/07_FIrebirdIII_06-0386~VLR.jpg
In reality, it was Harley Earl's final, ultimate tribute to the mid-century car show extravaganzas known as MOTORAMA. Featuring no less than nine fins (the rear dorsal fin being nearly five feet high!), the Firebird III was a turbine-powered technological tour-de-force meant to excite the crowds during its unveiling in New York's prestigious Waldorf Astoria ballroom in October of 1958. Two weeks later in Boston, it provided the same "wow factor" while helping introduce the entire 1959 GM lineup of new cars during what became the last-ever American MOTORAMA event.
Then, just as quickly as these MOTORAMA events came to an end (coinciding with Harley Earl's official retirement as GM's VP of Styling), fins were suddenly no longer en vogue. The Jet Age, it seemed, was suddenly over. Though the Firebird III's experimental technology (cruise control, self-guided driving capabilities, auto-leveling suspension, remote starting, and much more) lives on today, the "Finned Floozy's" over-the-top styling has never been outdone.
Tucson Modernism Week, in cooperation with the GM Heritage Center, is proud to present "Ultimate Fins: Designing GM's 1958 Firebird III Motorama Dreamcar," on Saturday, October 3, 2015.
Host and moderator Thom Sherwood brings together the two, lone surviving members of the Firebird III's original team for the first time in over a half century for an intimate, delightful reunion and discussion. Unique photography, illustrations and personal recollections will be highlighted as designers Norm James and Jim Ewen discuss how this remarkable experimental automobile was conceived, built, tested and showcased as the future of the American automobile.
The actual Firebird III is also scheduled to make a rare appearance at this prestigious event, on display for the first time in Arizona since initial testing was done at General Motors' Desert Proving Grounds in the summer of 1958. This heartwarming automotive reunion with Norm, Jim and the Firebird III — just one of the many events planned for Tucson Modernism Week (http://www.tucsonmod.com) — should not be missed!
http://www.tucsonmotorama.com/TMWpromo4PYForum/FB3-UltFins-WideWeb~VLR.jpg
All events are open to the public. For seminar tickets, Firebird III event location and display hour details, please visit www.TucsonMod.com (http://www.tucsonmod.com) or www.TucsonMotorama.com (http://www.tucsonmotorama.com)
ULTIMATE FINS: A Vintage Car Show
A special "Ultimate Fins" Car Display, featuring a wide variety of privately-owned finned cars, is also planned for Saturday, October 3, 2015.
Owners of appropriate, high-quality show cars (any 1942 through mid-1970s, any American make/model whose designs celebrate fins and/or wings) are encouraged to participate in this exclusive, limited-entry Tucson Modernism Week event. The venue for this non-judged display will be immediately adjacent to where the Firebird III is to be shown.
NOTE: Applicable vehicles include: 1969-71 GTO Judges, first-gen Corvettes, most 1956-'59 Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Olds, Cadillac, Chrysler, Desoto, Plymouth, Dodge, Ford and Mercury cars, as well as Plymouth Superbird, Dodge Daytona, Olds Rallye 350, etc. muscle cars with wings.
For vehicle entry fee information, requirements, event location and other details, please contact Alex Mastrangelo at (520) 465-2539 alex.mastrangelo@gmail.com
ULTMATE FINS: Designing GM's 1958 FIREBIRD III Motorama Dreamcar
DATE: Saturday, October 3, 2015
SEMINAR: 4:00pm
LOCATION: Museum of Contemporary Art - Tucson (MOCA)
ADDRESS: 265 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 (downtown, adjacent to the Tucson Convention Center)
ADMISSION: see website for ticket prices, event and showtime information
EVENT DESCRITION:
It has been called one of the most important pieces of American automotive design of the twentieth century. Its technology was bold and cutting edge, and it remains the undisputed epitome of finned-era design.
http://www.tucsonmotorama.com/TMWpromo4PYForum/07_FIrebirdIII_06-0386~VLR.jpg
In reality, it was Harley Earl's final, ultimate tribute to the mid-century car show extravaganzas known as MOTORAMA. Featuring no less than nine fins (the rear dorsal fin being nearly five feet high!), the Firebird III was a turbine-powered technological tour-de-force meant to excite the crowds during its unveiling in New York's prestigious Waldorf Astoria ballroom in October of 1958. Two weeks later in Boston, it provided the same "wow factor" while helping introduce the entire 1959 GM lineup of new cars during what became the last-ever American MOTORAMA event.
Then, just as quickly as these MOTORAMA events came to an end (coinciding with Harley Earl's official retirement as GM's VP of Styling), fins were suddenly no longer en vogue. The Jet Age, it seemed, was suddenly over. Though the Firebird III's experimental technology (cruise control, self-guided driving capabilities, auto-leveling suspension, remote starting, and much more) lives on today, the "Finned Floozy's" over-the-top styling has never been outdone.
Tucson Modernism Week, in cooperation with the GM Heritage Center, is proud to present "Ultimate Fins: Designing GM's 1958 Firebird III Motorama Dreamcar," on Saturday, October 3, 2015.
Host and moderator Thom Sherwood brings together the two, lone surviving members of the Firebird III's original team for the first time in over a half century for an intimate, delightful reunion and discussion. Unique photography, illustrations and personal recollections will be highlighted as designers Norm James and Jim Ewen discuss how this remarkable experimental automobile was conceived, built, tested and showcased as the future of the American automobile.
The actual Firebird III is also scheduled to make a rare appearance at this prestigious event, on display for the first time in Arizona since initial testing was done at General Motors' Desert Proving Grounds in the summer of 1958. This heartwarming automotive reunion with Norm, Jim and the Firebird III — just one of the many events planned for Tucson Modernism Week (http://www.tucsonmod.com) — should not be missed!
http://www.tucsonmotorama.com/TMWpromo4PYForum/FB3-UltFins-WideWeb~VLR.jpg
All events are open to the public. For seminar tickets, Firebird III event location and display hour details, please visit www.TucsonMod.com (http://www.tucsonmod.com) or www.TucsonMotorama.com (http://www.tucsonmotorama.com)
ULTIMATE FINS: A Vintage Car Show
A special "Ultimate Fins" Car Display, featuring a wide variety of privately-owned finned cars, is also planned for Saturday, October 3, 2015.
Owners of appropriate, high-quality show cars (any 1942 through mid-1970s, any American make/model whose designs celebrate fins and/or wings) are encouraged to participate in this exclusive, limited-entry Tucson Modernism Week event. The venue for this non-judged display will be immediately adjacent to where the Firebird III is to be shown.
NOTE: Applicable vehicles include: 1969-71 GTO Judges, first-gen Corvettes, most 1956-'59 Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Olds, Cadillac, Chrysler, Desoto, Plymouth, Dodge, Ford and Mercury cars, as well as Plymouth Superbird, Dodge Daytona, Olds Rallye 350, etc. muscle cars with wings.
For vehicle entry fee information, requirements, event location and other details, please contact Alex Mastrangelo at (520) 465-2539 alex.mastrangelo@gmail.com