Three of the most valuable post-war four-door Americans are on display this year at the Old Car Show in Iola, Wisconsin. These are the 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne concept car, the 1955 LaSalle II sedan concept car, and the 1966 Duesenberg prototype. Two of the cars were saved from destruction by their own executioner.
Chevy Biscayne concept car from 1955.
The 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne and 1955 LaSalle II sedan were built as showcase models for the traveling General Motors Motorama show. Both models had unique styling and features that offered a glimpse into the future. The Biscayne is a compact four-door hardtop that foreshadowed Corvette and Corvair styling. The model featured the new V-8 engine that Chevrolet first used in 1955, and it was the first Chevrolet concept car that was not based on the Corvette.
The LaSalle II sedan was also a four-door hardtop and featured suicide rear doors. Its futuristic styling featured Corvette-like lines on the sides, large windows, and an experimental V-6 engine, which, however, would never burn a drop of gasoline.
Lasalle II concept car from 1955.
After the LaSalle II and the Biscayne were shown to the public, General Motors came up with the ridiculous idea of destroying the cars because these models would never go into production. However, the scrapyard where the cars were taken decided otherwise and hid them on the premises. The owner of the scrapyard was, however, required to dismantle the Biscayne in front of GM managers to ensure that the cars would actually be destroyed. For them, this was sufficient proof that the Biscayne – although disassembled – was still complete, and the LaSalle II was spared. Thus, the LaSalle II remained intact, and the Biscayne was later reassembled.
The Duesenberg Ghia from 1966.
The third one-of-a-kind car is the 1966 Duesenberg concept built by Ghia of Italy. The four-door hardtop was built as a prototype in an attempt to put the hallowed Duesenberg automotive name back on the map. The car was grander than the era in which it was built, with a large, powerful, and modified body, just like the original.
More information can be found at www.iolaoldcarshow.com
