Unveiled in 1939, the Pontiac Ghost Car was the first completely transparent car made in America in 1939. Eight decades later, photos of it are still a wonder to view.
It was designed to showcase everything that goes into making the automobile in a time when the automotive industry was growing, the Pontiac Ghost Car was built by General Motors in partnership with Rohm and Hass.
The unusual material primarily replaced the sheet of metal, hence giving a clear view of the inner workings of the vehicle. The metallic structure featured a copper wash, the hardware was chrome-plated, and the tires were white, instead of the usual black. The Ghost Car’s total cost was estimated at $25,000 at the time.
It was created to show the exact interior and other features like windows that can be raised and lowered, doors that can be opened and closed.
In 1940, a second Pontiac Ghost Car was built for the Golden Gate Exposition Display, and together with the original one toured different Pontiac dealerships in the United States.
The eye-catching vehicles were also featured in Pontiac promotional material as well as in automotive magazines. The 1939 Ghost Car was loaned to the Smithsonian during World War 2 and was auctioned for $308,000 in 2011.
