Mario's Tribute to the 1964 GM Runabout Concept Car

1 The 1964 three-wheeled GM Runabout Concept Car was designed to appeal to women. It had two built-in shopping carts in the trunk, aiding in daily shopping.

2 The nimble vehicle held two adults in front and three children in the rear, making it an ideal suburban commuter. The front wheel turned 180 degrees for easy parking and backing up.

3 Men might find it a handy vehicle as well, as it had enough room for golf clubs.

4 The 1964 GM Runabout was designed specifically for housewives and had detachable shopping carts built into it. It was a shopping car.

5 The GM Runabout had a front wheel that could turn 180 degrees to allow parking in the tightest of spots. Original concept drawing board.

6 The GM Runabout had space for 2 adults in the front and 3 children in the back seat. No steering wheel was the concept for the future.

7 The rear end of the car contained two detachable shopping trolleys with wheels that would fold away when the trolley was parked in the vehicle. Here the engineers are building the concept car.

8 The Controls were unusual. In lieu of a steering wheel and foot pedals GM implemented a very unique movable console that sat in front of the driver like a tray. There were a pair of rotating dials on each side and two buttons in between to control the car.

9 The 1964 GM Runabout was a three-wheel concept car first exhibited at Futurama II, part of the 1964 New York World's Fair.

10 The front wheel could turn 180 degrees for easy parking and maneuvering. The Runabout was a four-seat car that used a front-mounted engine.

11 The Runabout featured a sliding canopy which provided access to the four seats. There were no doors, only the rear hatch.

12 The front end was crisply designed, featuring a full-width headlamp turn signal module that wrapped around the nose.

13 The GM Runabout was clearly targeted as a second car that would appeal to housewives who did the grocery shopping and chauffeured the little tykes to and from school.

14 The GM Runabout three-wheeled commuter car had two built in shopping carts in the trunk for trips to the mall or grocery store.

15 A trio of large louvers for engine cooling were positioned directly below the headlamp display.

16 The GM Runabout displayed the unmistakable hand of Bill Mitchell. It was clearly evident that Mitchell’s tenure at GM marked a significant change in direction.

17 Compared to his predecessor, the legendary Harley J. Earl who retired in 1958, Harley Earl is still widely regarded as the father of automotive design.

18 The Mitchell era beginning in 1959 was clearly edgier and more modern, with crisp, angular lines and a “less is more” approach to chrome.

19 The GM Runabout was first presented at the General Motors Futurama Exhibit in 1964 at the New York World’s Fair.

20 The 1964 GM Runabout had a 92-inch wheelbase, a length of 162.2 inches and a width of 66.4 inches.

21 The Runabout’s 3-wheeled layout gave it a very unique shape, very aerodynamic for its day.