I Can't Stop Looking At Richard Arbib Renderings

"Jonee" (Jonee) 01/14/2015 at 18:17 • Filed to: Richard Arbib

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Arbib got his start working with Harley Earl in the late 30's and then went to work for Henney Motor Co. after serving in WWII. He designed bodies for the commercial Packards like ambulances that Henney built. Arbib's big breakthrough came when he penned the acclaimed Packard Pan American show car whose body was coachbuilt at Henney.

Its distinctive, whimsically shaped grille was a sign of things to come.

In 1955 he was hired by AMC and designed the "V" line Hudsons.

He also got into general industrial design, designing boats and, most famously, watches.

But, the reason I love Arbib are his renderings for wild, space-age concept vehicles that are the epitome of mid-20th Century futurism.

The Starfire here was designed to fit on a 1950's Porsche chassis. Which is nuts.

Maybe the most famous is the Astra Gnome "Time And Space Car."

They built it, too, out of aluminum on a Nash Metropolitan chassis. It was Arbib's vision of a car from the year 2000. If only that vision came true.

Best badge ever?

He also invented a much cooler Segway.

A much cooler RV.

A much cooler Smart car.

A much cooler station wagon.

This thing.

A 70's Caddy on crack.

Veedol Oil used a bunch of his drawings in a series of ads.

And maybe coolest of all? His girlfriend was Bettie Page!

505Turbeaux > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 18:24

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this is the car that brings you down to hell. I want it

Jonee > 505Turbeaux 01/14/2015 at 18:26

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Ha. Totally. Either brings you, or sends you.

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 18:28

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Radial engine?

ly2v8-Brian > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 18:28

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Everything about this post is pure AWESOME!!

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast 01/14/2015 at 18:32

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On second thoughts it it can't be a radial engine as they have odd numbers of cylinders(I think?)

505Turbeaux > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 18:41

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I am working on an angle to drive it. Ill let you know how it comes out. Ghost style

Jonee > Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast 01/14/2015 at 18:42

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It was called the Airex Radial, so yes, it was meant to have an airplane radial motor. It's a 1940 concept for GM.

coelacanthist > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 18:44

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That rv is like mad max meets the A-team. I want to live in that future... no fair.

Jonee > Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast 01/14/2015 at 18:45

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4-stroke radials do have an odd number of cylinders, yes. I guess Rich wasn't up on his aircraft engines unless he meant for it to have a two-stroke diesel radial which could conceivably have an even number of cylinders.

Axial > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 18:47

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Now this is Darth Vader's car!

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 18:48

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I just checked wiki and found that out, learning something today.

Jonee > Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast 01/14/2015 at 18:50

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I had to check, too. I couldn't remember which was 4-stroke and which was 2-stroke, but it makes sense reading it.

DeLM > Jonee 01/14/2015 at 20:02

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I have another role model to look up to! :D

Jobjoris > Jonee 01/16/2015 at 05:48

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Haha, what was he thinking with that starfire. Let's just add some more weight behind the engine? If Erwin Komenda only knew...

Jonee > Jobjoris 01/16/2015 at 12:40

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I know. Maybe he figured those giant wings would act like stabilizers.