1938 Concept Car Foreshadowed 2026 Automotive Features

The current automotive landscape of 2026, characterized by electric vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems, offers a compelling point of comparison for historical automotive visions. An analysis of a concept car designed around 1938 by an English automotive magazine reveals projections for 1950s automotive technology that bear a surprising resemblance to modern 2026 standards. This historical examination of early concept vehicles underscores a persistent interest in futuristic features during that era, with Harley Earl, General Motors' first design director, spearheading a design revolution.

The concept vehicle from the English magazine is noted for accurately anticipating several elements now standard on 2026 vehicles. A primary prediction involved a 'retractable step,' which functioned as an extension of the running board that automatically withdrew upon door opening—a feature now common on contemporary SUVs and trucks. Furthermore, the concept specified illuminated license plates, a feature now globally adopted for both aesthetics and visibility. More significantly, the design anticipated safety requirements by calling for non-shatter glass. This innovation aligns with the laminated and tempered safety glass used today, although laminated glass remains the standard for windshields.

Other predicted elements focused on occupant comfort and protection, including perimeter protection strips, which can be seen as precursors to modern energy-absorbing bumpers. The 1938 concept also envisioned a chassis-mounted jack for raising the vehicle. While integrated jacks are not standard on passenger cars, integrated lift points are critical for professional servicing in 2026, sometimes governed by standards such as those set by the Automotive Lift Institute. The inclusion of an in-cabin radio with a speaker also directly preceded the complex infotainment systems prevalent in modern vehicles.

However, the vision also included technically unfeasible projections, such as a three-wheeled configuration and a massive 48-cylinder engine. This ambitious engine never materialized; instead, modern engineering has favored highly efficient three, four, and six-cylinder engines, or a complete shift to electric powertrains. For context, the original Buick Y-Job, often cited as the industry's first concept car, utilized a 5.2-liter inline eight-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower, paired with a three-speed automatic gearbox later succeeded by GM's Hydra-Matic. Pittsburgh Plate Glass introduced Herculite, a tempered glass three to seven times stronger than standard glass, around 1938, predating the widespread adoption of laminated safety glass for windshields.

The visionaries of 1938 demonstrated remarkable foresight regarding user-centric features prioritizing convenience and protection, illustrating the cyclical nature of automotive innovation. Progress in glass technology, for instance, shows that fundamental protection needs evolved more predictably than specific mechanical solutions. The contrast between the successful feature predictions and the failed engine concept emphasizes that while fundamental design objectives persist, the path to achieving them is continually shaped by engineering efficiency and market viability—a lesson that remains pertinent in the current era of vehicle electrification.