Ford Gyron: The UFO on wheels that imagined the future
Created as a design experiment, the Gyron is kept in balance by a series of gyroscopes and reaches a maximum speed of 5 mph.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Ford was one of the most active carmakers when it came to conceptual design. Almost every year, the American brand presented prototypes with futuristic looks or advanced solutions. One such example is the Gyron, a strange two-wheeler that looks like a real UFO (or UAP if you prefer).
A laboratory on wheels (not too fast)
The idea for the concept was only launched for experimental purposes only. Ford had no intention of producing a production model, but only for marketing and aerodynamic research purposes. It was a kind of design experiment for a car that was sure to get noticed.
Ford Gyron Concept (1961)
The body is made of fibreglass and the car is powered by two wheels. The front wheel is manoeuvred using a knob on the console, while the rear wheel propels the Ford, thanks to a small electric motor, to a maximum speed of around 5 mph. When stationary, the Gyron is held in position by two side stabilisers and two small wheels.
An unfortunate history
The real special feature of the Gyron is the one that determines the very name of the car. The vehicle is kept in balance by a complex system of gyroscopes, and among other oddities, there is a mobile phone placed between the two seats in the passenger compartment.
Exhibited at the Detroit Auto Show in 1961, the Ford was displayed at Ford Rotunda, one of the most visited exhibition complexes in the United States at the time.
Unfortunately, the structure and design were destroyed by fire in 1962. As a result, all that remains of the Gyron are two non-functional prototypes produced in the early stages of development. The first was sold at auction in 2012 for around $40,000 (£32,000), while the second was recently exhibited at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
More concept cars from the past:
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Ford Is Already Dropping The Dark Horse SC's $31,000 Track Pack
BYD's $3-Million Hypercar Crashed Hard During High-Speed Testing: Video
Listen To Ford's New V8 Hypercar Tear Up The Track: Video
Modern Cars Are Packed With Sensors. What Do They All Do?
Woman Gets A ‘Tire Low’ Warning Light On Her Ford. Then She Fills All 4 To Over 65 PSI
BMW's Electric Cars Are Helping Keep Its V8s Alive
16 Cars You Can Still Buy With A Naturally Aspirated V6