Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Two-Wheeled Ford That Never Was

The Geek Picture of the Day is gyroscopically stabilized.

click to embiggen

(Photo: Ford Motor Company)

This undated photo shows the Gyron, a two-wheeled concept car developed by Ford Motor Company. Initially shown off at 1961′s Detroit Motor Show, it had two in-line wheels like a motorcycle, and two side-by-side seats inside the cab. A system of gyroscopes was supposed to keep the vehicle stable, but in practice, it needed outriggers to keep upright on the road. It was never put into production.

The original Gyron shown here was a one-of-a-kind; sadly, it was destroyed in a 1962 fire. The miniature styling model used to create the car survived, and will be auctioned off next month.

Here’s another glimpse of the car, taken on April 1, 1961 at the New York Coliseum:

click to embiggen

(Photo: AP/Hans Von Nolde)

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Hedy Burress Christina Applegate

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