In the optimistic 1950s, automotive design soared into the realms of futurism, epitomized by creations like the 1956 Astra-Gnome. Commissioned by American Motors Corporation, this visionary concept, dubbed “The Time and Space Car,” debuted at the ’56 New York International Auto Show.
Designed by esteemed industrial designer Richard Arbib, the Astra-Gnome captured imaginations with its futuristic aesthetic and innovative features. Despite never intended for production, it garnered widespread acclaim for its avant-garde design language and forward-thinking concepts.
Sporting a panoramic canopy, retractable running boards, and a luxurious leather interior, the Astra-Gnome epitomized space-age elegance. Its centerpiece, a Hamilton Celestial Time Zone Clock, underscored its futuristic allure.
Though never mass-produced, the Astra-Gnome left an indelible mark on automotive design, inspiring future generations of concept vehicles. Rediscovered in the ’80s, it remains a symbol of the golden age of futurism, celebrated in exhibitions like the Eyes on the Road at the Petersen Automotive Museum.