Chrysler Norseman
Encyclopedia
The Chrysler Norseman was a concept car
built in 1956. It was a four-seat coupe
. Although designed by Chrysler Corporation
's stylists, actual construction was contracted out to the Italian coach-building firm of Ghia. Ghia had experience in the construction of low-volume vehicles and one-off prototypes, having built the successful Lincoln Futura
concept the previous year. It took Ghia's craftsmen over a year to build the complex Norseman.
Chrysler wanted a fully drivable vehicle, not just a rolling mockup, so all normal systems for the powertrain
, braking, suspension, were installed. More difficult to fabricate was its unusual cantilever
ed roof, which was secured to the body only at the rear C pillars
. There were no side pillars, and at the front the roof rested only lightly on a fully frameless windshield. There was a power sunroof
as well, an advanced feature, that was difficult to integrate into a slender roof structure with no structural support at the front. The door glass was ventless (having no small vent window
at the front), a styling theme that would become popular some ten years later.
The car was to be a featured attraction of Chrysler's auto show exhibit for 1957 and was shipped by Ghia to New York City
in July 1956. The car was shipped on the ocean liner SS Andrea Doria
, which was involved in a collision off the coast of Massachusetts
and sank, with the loss of forty-six lives and all cargo.
As a result the car was never shown to the public and was never seen by most of the stylists
who worked on it. It is known to automotive historians, however, via photographs and specifications. Chrysler never used the cantilevered roof design in any subsequent vehicle.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
built in 1956. It was a four-seat coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
. Although designed by Chrysler Corporation
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
's stylists, actual construction was contracted out to the Italian coach-building firm of Ghia. Ghia had experience in the construction of low-volume vehicles and one-off prototypes, having built the successful Lincoln Futura
Lincoln Futura
The Lincoln Futura was a concept car designed by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company. It was built by Ghia entirely by hand in Italy at a cost of $250,000 and displayed on the auto show circuit in 1955...
concept the previous year. It took Ghia's craftsmen over a year to build the complex Norseman.
Chrysler wanted a fully drivable vehicle, not just a rolling mockup, so all normal systems for the powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
, braking, suspension, were installed. More difficult to fabricate was its unusual cantilever
Cantilever
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is resisted by moment and shear stress. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs.This is in...
ed roof, which was secured to the body only at the rear C pillars
Pillar (car)
Pillars are the vertical supports of the greenhouse of an automobile — known respectively as the A, B, C or D-pillar moving in profile view from the front to rear....
. There were no side pillars, and at the front the roof rested only lightly on a fully frameless windshield. There was a power sunroof
Sunroof
An automotive sunroof is a fixed or operable opening in an automobile roof which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs may be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styles...
as well, an advanced feature, that was difficult to integrate into a slender roof structure with no structural support at the front. The door glass was ventless (having no small vent window
Quarter glass
Quarter glass on automobiles and closed carriages may be a side window in the front door or located on each side of the car just forward of the rear window of the vehicle. Only some cars have them. In some cases the fixed quarter glass may set in the corner or "C-pillar" of the vehicle...
at the front), a styling theme that would become popular some ten years later.
The car was to be a featured attraction of Chrysler's auto show exhibit for 1957 and was shipped by Ghia to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in July 1956. The car was shipped on the ocean liner SS Andrea Doria
SS Andrea Doria
SS Andrea Doria[p] was an ocean liner for the Italian Line home ported in Genoa, Italy, most famous for its sinking in 1956, when 46 people died. Named after the 16th-century Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, the ship had a gross register tonnage of 29,100 and a capacity of about 1,200 passengers and...
, which was involved in a collision off the coast of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and sank, with the loss of forty-six lives and all cargo.
As a result the car was never shown to the public and was never seen by most of the stylists
Automotive design
Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans...
who worked on it. It is known to automotive historians, however, via photographs and specifications. Chrysler never used the cantilevered roof design in any subsequent vehicle.