Chrysler Thunderbolt (1941)

The Chrysler Thunderbolt was quickly prepared for the 1940 New York Auto Show and presented as "The Car of the Future". The car had a smooth, aerodynamic body made from aluminum and was styled with minimal ornamentation. The car also featured retractable headlights and fender skirts. The body was attached to a solid oak wood frame. The Thunderbolt was the first convertible to have a fully retractable one piece hardtop roof. The roof was set into operation with a simple flick of a switch. The air intakes for the motor are located under the front bumper. Since the car had to be quickly built for the New York auto show, the hood and trunk lid were completed in steel instead of aluminum like the rest of the body. The fender skirts also hid the wooden frame which would otherwise be visible by peeking into the wheel well.

A total of five Thunderbolts were built. Each car was a different colour. Four of those five cars still exist today.

The Chrysler Thunderbolt came with a duel carburetorated, 324 cubic inch, in-line 8-cylinder motor which produced 143HP. Top speed was 110 MPH.