Gm's Motorama: The Glamorous Show Cars of a Cultural Phenomenon

by David W. Temple, David E. Davis Jr. (Introduction), Dennis Adler (Editor)

In the postwar exuberance of America, General Motors launched their Motorama, an all-out extravaganza that turned the marketing of new cars and designs into a cultural event of national proportions. GM’s Motorama brings this short-lived but unforgettable tradition back to life with words and period photographs that revisit the posh venues, such as the Waldorf Astoria in 1953, where celebrities in Broadway-style shows and phalanxes of glamorous models introduced the public to “Dream Cars” destined to become legends—the GM LeSabre, Cadillac Le Mans, and the Chevrolet Corvette prototype. This book recreates the drama of the eight shows staged between 1949 and 1961, focusing on the cars designed under the leadership of the founder and head of GM Design, Harley Earl. The cars that emerged from the mind of Earl are today among the most desired of the twentieth century. Previously unknown facts about the fate of the Dream Cars—some of which seemingly disappeared—and a glimpse of GM’s recent crop of concept cars are offered in the book’s final two chapters.

192 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2006

About the author

David W. Temple is a freelance automotive photojournalist specializing in vintage cars. He is a member of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club, Ford Galaxie Club of America, and the Packard Automobile Club. His work has appeared in 'Car Collector', 'Cars & Parts', 'Collectible Automobile' and others over more than two decades. [adapted from Amazon.com]

Reviews

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool Book, Beautiful pictures. Lots Of Cars I have not seen before, Some I have. Worth The Price.
I have this hardcover from motorbooks and the different subsequent GM motorama book by the author and cartech of years, love both books but this one for some reason is my favorite of the two.