GM's Transparent Car Had 6-Cylinder Engine, Drum Brakes, Just 135 Km Driven, and Was Auctioned for R$ 1.6 Million

GM’s Transparent Car Had 6-Cylinder Engine, Drum Brakes, Just 135 Km Driven, and Was Auctioned for R$ 1.6 Million

Written by Ruth Rodrigues

Published on 01/08/2025 at 08:05

Conheça a história do Pontiac Ghost Car, o icônico carro transparente da GM apresentado em 1939, que se tornou uma raridade histórica e foi leiloado por R$ 1,6 milhão. Fonte: RM Auctions

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Know The Story Of The Pontiac Ghost Car, The Iconic Transparent Car From GM Presented In 1939, That Became A Historical Rare Item And Was Auctioned For R$ 1.6 Million.

In 1939, General Motors surprised the public with a striking innovation: the Pontiac Deluxe Six “Ghost Car,” a transparent car made of Plexiglas. The presentation took place at the New York World’s Fair, as part of the “Highways and Horizons” pavilion, which aimed to showcase what urban mobility would look like in the coming decades.

The Innovative Design Of The Ghost Car, The Transparent Car From GM

The main attraction of the model was its transparent body, which allowed visibility of all internal components, from small screws to mechanical systems.

This effect was made possible thanks to Plexiglas, a special acrylic supplied by the chemical company Rohm and Haas.

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A Functional Work Of Art

Despite being a prototype, the Ghost Car was equipped with a six-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, and drum brakes.

However, the vehicle was not designed to travel on roads. Its purpose was to captivate the public and provide a glimpse into the future of the automotive industry.

Exhibition And Preservation Of An Icon

After the fair, Pontiac showcased the transparent car in dealerships across the United States and even at the Smithsonian Institution, one of the world’s most important museum complexes.

A second unit was produced in 1940 for the Golden Gate Exposition, but its whereabouts remain unknown.

The original model remained preserved for decades, remaining a rare and emblematic piece.

In 2011, the Ghost Car was auctioned for US$ 308 thousand, equivalent to about R$ 1.6 million.

With only 135 km driven, the vehicle continues to be a symbol of GM’s boldness and a milestone in the history of automotive design.

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GM’s Transparent Car Had 6-Cylinder Engine, Drum Brakes, Just 135 Km Driven, and Was Auctioned for R$ 1.6 Million

Know The Story Of The Pontiac Ghost Car, The Iconic Transparent Car From GM Presented In 1939, That Became A Historical Rare Item And Was Auctioned For R$ 1.6 Million.

The Innovative Design Of The Ghost Car, The Transparent Car From GM

A Functional Work Of Art

Exhibition And Preservation Of An Icon

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GM’s Transparent Car Had 6-Cylinder Engine, Drum Brakes, Just 135 Km Driven, and Was Auctioned for R$ 1.6 Million

Know The Story Of The Pontiac Ghost Car, The Iconic Transparent Car From GM Presented In 1939, That Became A Historical Rare Item And Was Auctioned For R$ 1.6 Million.

The Innovative Design Of The Ghost Car, The Transparent Car From GM

A Functional Work Of Art

Exhibition And Preservation Of An Icon

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