In 1954, in a moment of absolute frankness, the president of Gifford Motors described his company’s latest luxury automobile: “Designed to appeal to the snob in everyone. Designed to convert your bank account into our dividends.”
Perhaps you’re wondering why you never heard of such an honest car executive. That’s because he existed only in Hollywood. The lines come from the opening scene of the 1954 drama Woman’s World, in which three businessmen—with a generous assist from their wives—vie to become the next general manager of the fictitious Gifford Motors.
What Was the Ford X-100 Concept Car?
Onscreen shenanigans aside, the luxury car featured in the film was the real deal: the Ford X-100 concept car. An early version debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in early 1952. The two-door convertible on display had no engine, gears, or gadgets, but its exterior, likely made of plaster and fiberglass, resembled a rocket ship, which was the intention of designer Joe Oros.
The Ford X-100’s V-8 engine featured a three-speed automatic transmission. The Henry Ford
Over the next year and a half, Ford engineers, led by Hiram Pacific, spent at least US $2 million (about $24 million today) turning the display model into a fully functional car. Paul Adams was chief electrical engineer and in charge of most of the gadgets; Paul Wagner was the electrical engineer tasked with making the electrical system work. By the time they were done, the car contained 302 kilograms of electrical equipment, including a 12-volt ignition system, an extra-large generator, 24 electrical motors, 44 vacuum tubes, 50 lightbulbs, 92 control switches, 29 solenoids, 53 relays, 23 circuit breakers, and 10 fuses, all connected by 16 kilometers of wiring. That’s a lot of electronics, but then again, a lot of gizmos were jammed into the car. Touted as a “laboratory on wheels,” the futuristic auto included more than 50 innovations.
One of the most visible features was the clear, nonglare, heatproof plastic sliding roof panel. At the flick of a lever, the windows rolled down and the top retracted. When an electrical moisture sensor detected a hint of rain, it would automatically seal the car. Alas, the X-100 did not have air conditioning. I’m a South Carolinian, and the thought of an uncooled drive on a sunny, hot August day is, let’s say, unappealing. I suspect the designers, being in Detroit, hadn’t thought through summer in the Deep South.
In this 1953 photo, the Ford X-100’s roof panel is retracted and the windows are down. The Henry Ford
The designers did consider certain types of weather because the windshield wipers could spray hot or cold fluid depending on the outside temperature, and the rear window had a defroster. Another feature that I’m sure wowed people in colder climates were the car’s heated leather seats. The front seats were also electrically adjustable in six positions, with presets for two different drivers.
The car had a 10-tube, signal-seeking radio with separate controls and speakers for front and rear passengers. The radio itself was tucked out of sight below the dashboard, but a prismatic mirror could be lowered to show the dial.
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