Although, Mr. Engel and Mr. Najjar oversaw the project for its development, the project was also assigned to Mr. Gale Halderman, the project manager at Ford Motor Company. Other individuals were also a part of this great design team. They included Mr. George Walker, Mr. Cog Briggs, Mr. Dean Beck, Mr. Bob Thomas and later Mr. Roy Smith, who were design analysts. The talented clay modelers who worked on the project were Mr. Cecil Perkins, Mr. Dick Sprague, Mr. Harry Strickler, and Mr. Joe Selbold.
Ford Motor Company spent over a million dollars on the Levacar design project. It was a concept car designed for the future. Mr. Kucher's forecast for the model was to embody the idea of levitation. Mr. Kucher once said "Trains and cars that operated on a levitation system could be common place by the year 2000". The Levacar concept model was 46.72 inches high, 93.56 inches long and 53.50 inches wide. The model weight was 252 pounds. The concept model was developed in a red and cream color combination.
During its development in the design studio, Mr. Kucher proposed a larger size fin on the back of the model design to support a completely smooth surface and also for a proportional balance. The model was then built over a period of 25 days with mostly aluminum material parts used for its construction. The Wettlaufer Engineering Corporation (which was located in Detroit, Michigan at the time) provided the material used for the project.
During the 1950's, many companies were experimenting with concept models that could ride on a film of air. On May 20, 1958, an exciting new display featuring the Ford Levacar opened at the Ford Rotunda. A press demonstration was held that night and the next day it was displayed and demonstrated at Ford's annual shareholders meeting. The display was called the “New Adventures on the American Road". Afterwards the model was open to review by the public. The public thoroughly enjoyed the Levacar demonstration because it was very exciting to witness.
The model was intended to ride on a Gluideair track system which was later converted into a track system running on rails. Many top executives including Bill Ford took turns riding and exploring with the new Gluideair system. These moments would become a historical foot note in automotive history.
In 1959, seven concept vehicles that could ride on levitation including Ford's Levacar model were included in exhibits at the Forestal Research Center of Princeton University. These models became very popular at the show to all in attendance and were reviewed by many. Afterwards, many newspapers across the country featured articles that said that, “it was just a matter of time before the Levacar vehicle replaced wheel vehicles in the United States".
On a final note, during the Levacar display at the Ford Rotunda those attending the show received a keepsake to remind them of the great demonstration that they were a part of. A scale model Levacar was given to all who were in attendance during their visit to the Ford Rotunda Levacar display. During the 1960's, the Levacar was never used again for anything or for future products by Ford's design team. Unfortunately, many automotive historians have said that the Levacar was sadly destroyed by fire when the Ford Rotunda caught fire in 1962. From a historical observation, the model was a great achievement for engineering and styling during that time. Today, the model will always be a part of our automotive heritage.
A special thanks to Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher, for donating the story to the MotorCities Story of the Week program. Photographs are courtesy of the Robert Tate’s Personal Collection. (Bibliography: Jim & Cheryl Farrell. Ford Design Department Concept & Show Cars 1932-1964. First Edition 1999.)
Please do not republish the story and/or photographs without permission of MotorCities National Heritage Area. For further information contact Robert Tate at btate@motorcities.org. If you have a story that you would like to donate to be featured as a MotorCities Story of the Week, email Desirae Tolbert at dtolbert@motorcities.org.