One word: plastics. Rohm & Haas, makers of Plexiglas, created the 1968 Explorer V to showcase the potential of its acrylic plastic materials.
Rohm & Haas of Philadelphia, maker of Plexiglas acrylic plastics, has had a long history in the auto industry. For instance, it was R&H that supplied the clear body panels for the attention-grabbing transparent 1939 Pontiac “ghost” that was diplayed at the New York World’s Fair. Exterior lamps, instrument panel parts, and cloisonné-look emblems are just a few of the components that have been produced with the company’s various Plexiglas materials and compounds.
In the ’60s, R&H produced a series of concept vehicles, as we call them now, to explore new uses for the company’s products. The original Explorer was a modified ’62 Corvair, while Explorer II was a ’63 Corvette with a Plexiglas top. A ’65 Mustang was the basis for Explorer III, and Explorer IV featured a unique custom body constructed on a 1966 Buick Riviera chassis and drivetrain. The final vehicle in the series and the one featured here, Explorer V, was reportedly built on the chassis of Explorer IV.
Explorer V’s exterior styling was worked out by the noted industrial design firm of Sundberg-Ferar in Southfield, Michigan, which constructed the car in in fiberglass (using R&H acrylic-polyester resin) in its prototype shop. While the overall length was a full 227 inches, a good part of it forward of the firewall, height was kept to 52 inches.
As we would expect, Explorer V boasted a number of special features designed to showcase Rohm & Haas materials. The upper headlamp arrangemend in the hood brow incorporated flourescent tubes behind acrylic lenses. Meanwhile, the rear hatch compartment was constructed in Kydex acrylic sheet, enabling a lightweight, roll-out trunk compartment. The custom wheel covers were Plexiglas and the cabin made extensive use of plastics as well, with a dark gray transparent top panel for the console.
Explorer V was damaged beyond repair in a warehouse fire in 1970, reportedly, and the projram ended there as the company shifted its focus to more non-automotive applications. Rohm & Haas (now rendered as Rohm and Haas, no ampersand) was acquired by Dow Chemical in 2008.
An historical note about Sundberg Ferar: that’s the firm which designed the postwar Crosley.
& is an Ampersand (sp)
Thanks! Brainfade.
All I remember about Rohm&Haas is the horrible stench when you drove past their plant in Bristol, PA to cross the bridge into New Jersey. Every body would roll up their car windows (no A/c in most cars back then) and hold their nose for about a half mile. The chemical smell was unreal. My grandfather worked there until he retired, apparently after a few years the workers couldn’t smell anything.
Looks like an Olds Toronda got rear ended by a AMC Javelin. Not a bad looking design overall, probably would have been better if they shortened the front about where the upper lamps were located. Looks a little nose heavy.
I was expecting to see a transparent car like the 1939 Pontiac with the title .
Since I don’t see a link to a previous story on the transparent 1939 Pontiac “ghost” car, may I suggest you add that to your “to do” list?