From the Camera of Alex Tremulis: The 1955 Paris Motor Show

12/9/2012

Take a walk through the crowded aisles of the 1955 Paris Motor Show with Alex Tremulis. Held the first week in October, his rare color Ektachrome Transparencies capture the details of some of the most revolutionary cars the automotive styling world had seen to date. These photos, taken by Alex Tremulis while he was head of Ford's Advanced Design Studio, represent the styling cues that captured his attention and would influence the design of Ford's future models in one form or another for many years to come. Cleaning the once-airborne tar and nicotine off all the fresh paint was surely a daily ritual...

Citroen DS

BMW 507

Chrysler ST Special

Facel-Vega

Jaguar

Pinin Farina

Ferrari

Ferrari V12

Maserati

Maserati A6G (left)

Pegaso Z102 by Touring

Pegaso Z103 by Touring

Porsche 550 Spyder

Boano

Karmann Ghia

Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

Gaylord Gladiator

Tremulis' friends, Jim and Ed Gaylord, brought their Brooks Stevens designed Gladiator to Paris for its debut. The syling went through several more iterations before their efforts were shelved.

Gaylord Gladiator

Retractable hardtop.

Gaylord Gladiator

More information on each of the cars pictured will be posted as it becomes available. To be immediately notified of any updates to these pages as they occur, please "LIKE" the Gyronaut's FaceBook Page.

All photos copyright 2012 The Alex Tremulis Archives.

7 Comments

casey link

12/15/2012 02:02:04 am

Fantastic! Such priceless photos. Each car went on to fame in its own way, even the Gaylord. Great seeing the Citroen DS up close in its premier. Can you even imagine the reaction it must have provoked? These pics are keepers, thanks!

Kustombart link

12/17/2012 03:47:02 am

What is that aircooled V8?

Ian Minter

1/22/2013 09:25:49 am

I believe that is a Tatra air-cooled V8 motor, as used in the Tatra 603 - a luxury, rear-engined sedan made in Czechoslovakia during the 1950's. It's worth checking out YouTube to see the one raced at the Goodwood Revival in recent years.

Kustombart link

1/22/2013 04:37:17 pm

Good guess, Tatra 603 was introduced in 1955 as well. But I own a 603 and it has a different cooling system with two fans at the other end of the block. Also, Tatra V8s have spark plugs in the centre of the hemi heads and the fuel pump is on the other end.

phil davis

4/12/2013 10:54:17 pm

that engine is almost certainly the Argentinian IAME Justicialista V8 3litre which powered their prototype Gran Sport 2 seater. The car still exists and film of it running is on you tube.

Steve Tremulis

4/13/2013 02:19:33 pm

Phil,

That's got to be it! I've spent years on and off trying to figure out what it was. It doesn't get too much more obscure than that, but it sure caught the eye of Alex. Thanks!!!

Kent Bain link

8/13/2013 02:53:33 am

Interested in more information on the touring bodied Pegaso Z103 pictured here in? Have a look at the story or it's recent restoration on our web site: www.AutomotiveRestorations.com. Fascinating car and marfucturer history...enjoy the show.

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