Where do concept cars go when they are no longer needed?

"DeltawingGothamDeserves" (Dablog)
05/06/2014 at 11:53 • Filed to: None

I know some go to museums and hang around for photo shoots, but what happens to the rest of them? I am seriously curious as to where they go.

The Egoista probably went to a collector, another option for concepts.

DISCUSSION (92)

JR1 > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 11:55

Kinja'd!!!

No I am not kidding, and yes it is horrible

Coty > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 11:56

Like Jarod said, most get crushed.

Lekker > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 11:57

as Jarod said, crush box.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > JR1
05/06/2014 at 11:58

NO NO NOOOOOOOO!!

Like those Vipers then.... sigh.

camaroboy68ss > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 11:58

I know as far as GM alot of the were crushed or junked. I heard they used to have a giant saw set up to cut bodies up after their use. It was band saws with blades every 6 or 8 inches and the would run a prototype body through it after it served its purpose.

spanfucker retire bitch > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 11:58

They go to Top Gear, so they can burn them and destroy them on the track.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 11:59

Thats gotta suck though, all that work....jeez. At least recycle components for another project.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > spanfucker retire bitch
05/06/2014 at 11:59

Top Gear has had a lot of Cock-ups recently.

spanfucker retire bitch > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:04

RIP in peace.

Kinja'd!!!

KnowsAboutCars > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:05

Like many people have said, they get crushed. Or then they are just left to collect dust in some warehouse.

Lekker > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:06

There was one episode of Jay Leno's garage where he got to see one of the concepts they kept somehow. I forget what it was, but it was different from the production car. It was amazing.

They are crushed so exactly no one gets to see the mule and how they developed the production parts. So i believe at least

DeltawingGothamDeserves > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 12:16

Jay LEno has a garage show?!!!

How the fuck did I not know about this! I have to find that episode now.

Lekker > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:24

Dude.. you've been missing out. He is the first non-journo that gets to show so many bad ass cars. And talk to the designer, chief engineer, you name it. He had the z/28 there for example too. The Nissna IDX or whatever the concept is. SOO MUCH STUFFF

interrogator-chaplain > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:35

I'm pretty sure the Egoista was always destined to be a one-off car, the car's name is literally "Selfish". It went to a collector because he wanted the only one in existence.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 12:35

I have been missing out damnit, especially with that epic collection of his.

Lekker > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:43

Let me know where your quest through his videos lands you. Haha

Mattbob > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:45

They randomly pick lucky people to take them around a track until they are un-driveable, then they destroy them in a viking funeral style fire.... At least that's what I like to picture in my head.

Sn210 > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:54

Some get sold to the public. I read a few years ago that Ford auctioned a bunch off, like the 2004 Mustangs, the Indy, and the Ghia. I know the Zagator Raptor was sold at an auction. I believe Ludacris has a Chrysler ME-4-12 too, so some of them get out there!

http://m.autoblog.com/2010/07/17/con…

Audistein > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 12:55

There have been lots of concept cars on Jay Leno's Garage. Which one are you talking about?

http://www.youtube.com/user/JayLenosG…

HammerheadFistpunch > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:55

Kinja'd!!!

Smashy smashy. No vin? gets crushed. I've heard so many horror stories from those closest to the action. Sad.

Cé hé sin > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:55

I recall that Ford used to keep at least some until a few years ago when they decided they needed the space and auctioned them off.

Audistein > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:59

Here's Jay's videos. He puts a new one up almost every week.

Most recent: http://www.youtube.com/user/JayLenosG…

Omegapixel > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 12:59

https://www.youtube.com/user/JayLenosG…

You're welcome =)

Lekker > Audistein
05/06/2014 at 13:00

Like I mentioned, I don't remember. I do remember them talking about the production mules being crushed. I think it may have been when the 2015 Mustang made it to his show.

TheCraigy > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:00

Kinja'd!!!

Yeah Egoista was sold to a Lambo collector.

Omegapixel > spanfucker retire bitch
05/06/2014 at 13:00

=(

Seriously one of the best looking AND sounding race cars ever made.

MooseKnuckles > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:00

Some concepts are just full size clay, right? So I'm guessing just pushed into the Hudson

MentalJuggernaut > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:03

Buddy? Get off this website and catch up on Leno's garage. Or at least the episodes of interest. See you in a month?

deprecated account > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:04

Wasn't the Egoista built for Stefan Winkelmann?

Mers > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:09

It depends.

Older concepts used to be built based on already existing production or racing chassis. In this case, these chassis, particularly ones on concepts built by coachbuilders, could have been re-purposed once the concept was shown at an auto show, and pictures were taken. Eventually, though, they would be set with one body, and then were usually kept by the coachbuilders for future reference - at least until they needed money, which then meant they got sold to rich collectors, or at auction.

Manufacturer owned concept cars either get displayed in museums, or crushed, once they are shown to the public. Very rarely they are sold. If they actually do inspire a production model, they might live a little longer.

Dukes_of_Atlanta > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:16

Many of them sit in warehouses of the manufacturer to be stored. They can't sell them for legal reasons, unless they're totally non-functional.

philipilihp > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:17

Maybe they send them to the third world, like the shirts for losing championship game team tshirts.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > Sn210
05/06/2014 at 13:18

Why did Ludacris get the ME-4..? Is it road registered?

user314 > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:18

Either Brunei or San Marcos .

DeltawingGothamDeserves > interrogator-chaplain
05/06/2014 at 13:19

Well, that was just an example. Did not mean for it to relate to the question.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > Mers
05/06/2014 at 13:21

Thats such a shame though, why crush these things? Like the Bertone Mantide, they have repainted it a few times, displayed it everywhere. I like the auction route though, cool to see them preserved.

Fuel_of_Satan > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:25

Sadly most of the older videos showcasing the more interesting parts of his collection was lost in the latest change on the jaylenosgarage.com webpage. Or maybe I'm just not finding them.

Only the stuff they uploaded to YT left now, but that's still a gold mine in itself.

Mers > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:26

Mainly it's because they aren't road worthy, and it costs more to store them than it would to crush them.

Mikolai > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 13:39

One of the cars in his collection that I found quite interesting has got to be his 1906 Stanley Steamer Vanderbilt Cup Racer. It's a freeway speed-capable steam car and he put a lot of work into it to make sure that all the replaced and modified parts could get the car up and running without flaming out (like a Ferrari).

Lekker > Mikolai
05/06/2014 at 13:42

This is why he is the coolest car nut. AND he has the money to support it. So jelly

Sn210 > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:45

I'm not sure. I don't even one if it's been confirmed that he has one

philphil > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:50

Kinja'd!!!

Where do concept cars go when their designers reach puberty?

RufusMacblorf > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 13:53

To support the automotive community, I'm sure I can clear some space in my garage.

Kinja'd!!!

burgergut > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:57

It is quite literally THE BEST show on Youtube. You have missed out huge. He knows a ton about old cars and it is a treat to watch. Look up his recent steam car video. Amazing.

noringnocare > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 13:58

Saudi Arabia

Lekker > RufusMacblorf
05/06/2014 at 13:59

Can I uh... come help? :D

DeltawingGothamDeserves > Dukes_of_Atlanta
05/06/2014 at 13:59

So, rolling shells: sell

Not: no good?

Tetrisaurus > spanfucker retire bitch
05/06/2014 at 14:06

You do realise that saying "in peace" after "RIP" is a touch redundant, right?
Your full comment reads as "Rest in peace in peace".

The Compromiser > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 14:11

The Companies also keep alot of them. I worked at a dealership that had GM Deliver 2 concepts (Back in the 90s) for a car show. It was neat to see them up close and at the same time see what they were really like. Pick-ups with no box, just a fibreglass body. The Gas filler tube was taped into the the wheel well and had to be pulled out to fill. It had 20" rims on it and back then that was unheard of (Now get off my lawn!). They were around a grand a tyre if I recall correctly.

spanfucker retire bitch > Tetrisaurus
05/06/2014 at 14:15

Yes, I'm well aware. Perhaps you should spend more time on the internet.

Dukes_of_Atlanta > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 14:18

I think rolling shells are still no go. They're just not safe to give customers. Lets just say that I doubt they sell any of it anymore.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > The Compromiser
05/06/2014 at 14:31

huh! Do you know what specific concepts they were? It seems GM flips back and forth, keeping them or shredding them. And it was JUST the body?

Wonger > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 14:46

have you been living under a rock??? his show's been out for years!!!

Wonger > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 14:48

Most concepts are displayed in their own Showrooms, every automaker has their own showroom displaying all their concepts.

mike780333 > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 14:57

Funny you ask, from another article I was drawn to autotrader's classics website and found this.. http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/20…

'Only' a cool $350k for the original '05 gen concept convertible.

DIYautoFTW > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 15:01

When I worked at McLaren engines they had 2 heavily modded ford Focii show cars they built for Ford racing during the F&F era. They sat in a trailer behind the building for over 10 years. During occasional parties they'd get taken out and dusted off. Somehow they were able to sell them to one of the employees instead of crushing them, maybe because they were based off real cars and not VINless concepts.

Bob Loblaw Lobs Law Bomb > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 15:02

Where they all go after they've served their purpose: out to pasture in the Sultan of Brunei's garage.

everyonejustcalmdown > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 15:12

Thats a "mule" and not a concept. The concepts are usually a rapid prototype with complete or "for show only" body work. The mules are used to hone designs and components for production. The mules almost always get the crunch, or are kept around and allowed to be used by authorized aftermarket engineers such as Rousche to develop performance accessories that are sold and installed at the dealership.

jhota42 > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 15:15

They used to get sold.

I've got a customer with a 1965 Fiat/Moretti 1500 coupe; his father ordered it at the Geneva show in 1965. When the show circuit ended, they called and offered him the car. Unlike the "production" models (as Moretti was never really a "production" company), pretty much all the original Fiat coachwork is still there under the Moretti body. That sucker is HEAVY. To say performance is not commensurate with the car's looks is a bit of an understatement. But it's pretty.

triq033 > RufusMacblorf
05/06/2014 at 15:16

Can someone correct me if I'm wrong (and side-note, I understand this is a concept), but wouldn't those wheels (convex past the tire) impede aerodynamics?

carphanatik > Tetrisaurus
05/06/2014 at 15:24

Tetrisaurus, from the Redundant Department of Redundancy. Is that your car parked by the ATM machine?

Dest > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 15:33

You now have like...years of watching to do. Though how you didn't know this I had no idea.

mr_gofast > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 15:43

???? you have got to be joking right? he has over 1k cars and bikes - has a show every week and generally gets the first of most cars he wants

mr_gofast > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 15:44

i think he got it for show and display..not driving..different rules.

thatjerkguy > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 16:30

I was at an RM auction in Monterey , CA a few years ago and there were about 20 concepts up for sale. Including the lincoln in this Jalop Q&AOTD from a week ago. http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-best-c…

The Compromiser > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 16:34

The one I actually remember was a Truck. Extended Cab, Dark Brown bottom with a rose/stucco coloured top. They basically took the current truck and replaced it with alot of what would be the GMT 800 Body style with some random junk. Had a VHS Player and a tv. Rear Temp controls, fancy interior. None of it worked. They had what looked like a crate 350 in it to run it but none of the electrics were hooked up. You just drove it from the truck to where it was to go and that was it. They called it the Santa Fe or something like that. I remember it had the Square Corvette tail lights in the back AND the front. I don't remember the other one. I think it was just an advanced production model that looked like someone threw up on it after the FNF movie (This was before The FNF Movies came out). The only thing worse was when I saw the Toronto Raptors Fusion. All decked out with Hardwood floors, basketball leather and pin stripes. it was horrid. I am not a Donk, Dunk, Skunk, Trunk or whatever 'unk' is the latest, fan. To each there own I say, but let me keep mine.

OneFastPuertoRican > philipilihp
05/06/2014 at 16:43

How awesome would it be to see a small village in Africa use the Dodge Kahuna as their means of transportation?

Kinja'd!!!

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 17:02

Where have you been during all those posts ? :P Here's a breakdown of their whereabouts:

Most of GM concept cars were destroyed on their orders to prevent rivals from getting their hands on their innovations. Very few legendary concept cars survived and they can be seen at large museums like Sloan Museum and GM Heritage Museum.

Most of 3/8 scale and full scale clay models were recycled to reuse the clay. The destruction is usually done in the designing studio. Recently, Jaguar killed a XJ clay model with axes, The Shining style. Some are kept in museums and storage facilities.

Some running prototypes and concept cars with an one-off coachwork (Pininfarina, Ghia, Bertone and the like) are collecting dust in Sultan of Brunei's garages, collectors' garage, museums and storage facilities. Pininfarina has their own museum with some non-running examples.

Some concept cars are stored away in secret garages, like BMW's Giftschrank and Petersen Automobile Museum's underground garage. Many automakers and museums have a secret garage that are yet to go public.

Very few concept cars went through an evolution where their chassises get a series of different bodyworks. Pininfarina's Alfa Romeo Super Flow I, II, III and IV and Ghia's Ford Probe I, II, III, IV and V are fine examples.

A small chunk of them are their designers' daily driver cars. Some designers are allowed to take their concept cars home, like Dr. Ferdinand Porsche with his now-destroyed Zündapp Typ 12 and NSU Typ 32 prototypes.

Some running prototypes went through an evolution like Super Flow, but most of them were destroyed.

The list goes on...

Tetrisaurus > spanfucker retire bitch
05/06/2014 at 17:40

I spend plenty of time on the internet thank you. Where do you think I got my pedantry badge from?

Tetrisaurus > carphanatik
05/06/2014 at 17:45

Kinja'd!!!

Audistein > Mikolai
05/06/2014 at 19:03

I thought the Doble steam car was even more fascinating:

I know it would be an pointlessly expensive endeavor, but I think it would be cool if someone made a completely modern steam car based on Doble's design.

Bad72AMX > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 19:08

Kinja'd!!!

The top of a pole in rural PA.

spanfucker retire bitch > Tetrisaurus
05/06/2014 at 19:25

Not enough, apparently. Didn't even recognize a well known meme.

nmalinoski > DeltawingGothamDeserves
05/06/2014 at 19:51

Ew, no. I think it's better if the concepts remain intact for later generations, otherwise you end up with nothing but a few photos.

greenagain > Bad72AMX
05/06/2014 at 20:09

Is that still up there?

Bad72AMX > greenagain
05/06/2014 at 20:25

No, it was removed in the 70's or early 80's and sold to a restorer who sold it to a Canadian fellow who has several other one off AMC's.

HeeeeyJake > Lekker
05/06/2014 at 21:20

Concept cars vary from rolling chassis with foam bodies to fully running prototypes. Because they aren't production cars and aren't certified for private ownership, insurance, safety, emissions, etc. they cannot be registered by a normal person and driven and insured unless they are based on a production car with a production car VIN (like Dodge Scat Pak from the 70s, some GM Motorama cars, and lots of Italian coach built "concept" cars, especially from the 70s...)

Manufacturers simply don't risk the liability of releasing uncertified, custom-built machines (i.e. not finished products) into the public. If they're not crushed/shredded once their marketing and/or engineering usefulness is over, museums get them or, more commonly, they go to a company-affiliated "preservation trust." Read more about the liquidation of the GM Heritage collection for more info on cars without VINs being auctioned to the general public, which cannot be registered, even thoujgh a few of them are production car-based.