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In 1955, Chrysler Corporation unveiled a trio of new "idea" cars at the Chrysler International Salon in New York, including the striking 1955 Chrysler Flight Sweep I. Created with the aim of embodying the spirit of the "Forward Look", a styling revolution that would dominate Chrysler's design efforts in the coming years, the Flight Sweep I was a sight to behold.
Built on a modified production chassis, the Flight Sweep I featured sleek, clean body lines that were unbroken by seams or joints. The front fenders, cowl, and body were seamlessly welded to the frame, giving the car a finished, closed-in effect. The sheet metal on the front and rear curves elegantly under the bumpers, adding to the car's smooth appearance.
Despite its low height of only 53-1/2 inches, the Flight Sweep I comfortably seated four passengers in its spacious interior. The car's rakish look was accentuated by a sharply sloping windshield, upswept rear fenders, and tailfins that formed a striking trailing fin motif. Other notable design features included curved side window glass, fully flared wheel openings, and a unique two-piece counterbalanced deck lid with an externally mounted spare tire.
The Flight Sweep II, a hardtop version of the same basic body form, was also unveiled alongside the Flight Sweep I. The two cars were built to compare the hardtop and convertible versions of the design, showcasing different interior and exterior colors and roof treatments.
In addition to the Flight Sweep I and II, Chrysler also introduced the Falcon, a low-slung two-passenger roadster that embodied American sports car styling. Built on a 105-inch wheelbase modified production chassis, the Falcon featured wide-horizon windshield with rearward sloping posts, full wheel openings, and upswept rear fenders with recessed taillights.
All three new cars were equipped with PowerFlite fully-automatic transmission, full-time coaxial power steering, safety power brakes, and electric window lifts. While these cars were not intended for sale to the public, they served as experiments in automotive styling and design that would influence future production cars.
The Chrysler International Salon showcased these new "idea" cars to the public from August 17 through August 27, providing a glimpse into the future of automotive design. The Flight Sweep I and its companions were a testament to Chrysler's commitment to pushing the boundaries of styling and innovation in the automotive industry.
