1952 magazine ad for AC Oil Filters featuring the Buick XP-300 concept car.
“Sleek as a Swallow, Buick’s XP-300 – an experimental laboratory on wheels – embodies many of industry’s most advanced ideas, including a supercharged 335-horsepower engine.” [Image caption]
The XP-300 was introduced to the public at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1951 and later featured in GM's 1953 Motorama tour. It was also displayed at various auto shows across the United States. It was powered by a 335-horsepower supercharged V8 engine that could run on either gasoline or methanol. Its performance was impressive, with a claimed top speed of 140 mph (230 km/h).
The XP-300 featured a wraparound windshield and push-button power windows and seats, which were quite advanced for the era. The car could be jacked up by the push of a button if it experienced a flat tire. It had dual box-shaped fuel tanks, one for gasoline and one for airplane fuel, lined with aircraft-inspired rubber bladder systems.
Despite its innovative design and powerful performance, the XP-300 was never put into production. The advanced features and materials used in the car made it too expensive to produce for the mass market. Also, the market wasn’t quite ready for the car’s radical departure from conventional vehicles in its design and technology.
The XP-300 remains an important piece of automotive history and is currently on display at the Alfred P. Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan.
[Source: Wikipedia]
[Note: AC spark plugs and oil filters are manufactured by ACDelco, which is a brand owned by General Motors. ACDelco was formed by merging the AC Spark Plug division with United Delco, both of which were part of GM.]
1952 magazine ad for AC Oil Filters featuring the Buick XP-300 concept car.
“Sleek as a Swallow, Buick’s XP-300 – an experimental laboratory on wheels – embodies many of industry’s most advanced ideas, including a supercharged 335-horsepower engine.” [Image caption]
The XP-300 was introduced to the public at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1951 and later featured in GM's 1953 Motorama tour. It was also displayed at various auto shows across the United States. It was powered by a 335-horsepower supercharged V8 engine that could run on either gasoline or methanol. Its performance was impressive, with a claimed top speed of 140 mph (230 km/h).
The XP-300 featured a wraparound windshield and push-button power windows and seats, which were quite advanced for the era. The car could be jacked up by the push of a button if it experienced a flat tire. It had dual box-shaped fuel tanks, one for gasoline and one for airplane fuel, lined with aircraft-inspired rubber bladder systems.
Despite its innovative design and powerful performance, the XP-300 was never put into production. The advanced features and materials used in the car made it too expensive to produce for the mass market. Also, the market wasn’t quite ready for the car’s radical departure from conventional vehicles in its design and technology.
The XP-300 remains an important piece of automotive history and is currently on display at the Alfred P. Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan.
[Source: Wikipedia]
[Note: AC spark plugs and oil filters are manufactured by ACDelco, which is a brand owned by General Motors. ACDelco was formed by merging the AC Spark Plug division with United Delco, both of which were part of GM.]