by A unique 1950s car, created to demonstrate the corrosion resistance of aluminum, will be auctioned off
In the 1950s, rust was almost a “factory option,” and in some states, standard equipment. American roads in winter were generously salted, steel car bodies were deteriorating at an alarming rate, and one company decided it had found a solution to this problem. This strange concept station wagon based on a Chrysler was built to convince the world that aluminum could save drivers from “tin worm” long before its use became common.
Known as the Scimitar EX All-Purpose Sedan, this unique car will be auctioned by Bonhams. It is one of those cars that becomes stranger the longer you look at it. Part station wagon, part concept car, part mobile scientific experiment — it was created in 1959 as a demonstration of the potential of aluminum in automotive design.
History of creation and design
The project began when the Olin Corporation wanted to promote its aluminum products and demonstrate the advantages of this material over conventional steel. To do this, it enlisted legendary industrial designer Brooks Stevens, whose portfolio includes everything from the original Jeep Wagoneer to the Excaliber and many other products.
Stevens created three Scimitar concepts, each with a different body type. The trio consisted of the All-Purpose Sedan station wagon presented here, a two-door hardtop convertible, and a four-door Town Car Phaeton limousine. All were built using composite materials, with aluminum used in areas most vulnerable to corrosion.
The idea was not just to display them under bright lights. These cars were fully functional and intended to demonstrate the benefits of reduced weight and increased durability.
Technical component: Chrysler New Yorker chassis
For the mechanical part, Stevens turned to Chrysler. Under the body lies the chassis of a 1959 New Yorker, equipped with a powerful 413 cubic inch (6.8 liter) V8 engine producing 350 horsepower (355 PS). The push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission handles gear changes, while power steering, brakes, power windows, and a bench seat ensured comfort during trips.
Body by Reutter and a unique rear end
The bodywork was entrusted to the German company Karosseriewerk Reutter, which is best known for producing bodies for the Porsche 356 and participating in the development of the first 911 prototypes. The quality of the work is impressive even after six decades, although the paintwork is somewhat worn by time.
What truly sets the All-Purpose Sedan apart is its rear section. The extended cargo compartment has a retractable roof panel that transforms the station wagon into something between a pickup truck, a beach cruiser, and a luxury family car.
Bonhams estimates this car at $125,000 – $175,000 at auction, which will take place later this month.
This car is not just an interesting exhibit but also a testament to the bold experiments in the automotive industry of the mid-20th century. It demonstrates how manufacturers tried to solve the corrosion problem long before aluminum and composite materials became common in the modern auto industry. The combination of a Chrysler chassis, design by Brooks Stevens, and bodywork by Reutter makes this car unique from the perspective of engineering and design thought. Its appearance at auction is a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a true piece of automotive history that combines the features of a concept car, a utilitarian station wagon, and a luxury sedan.
