1959 GMC Firebird III

Seven fins or nine marked the third Firebird iteration, GM engineering, and design insisted this was 'a practical workshop for testing new car advances.' Fifty years ago, the 'third bird' boasted an ultrasonic key that opened the door automatically, a completely foamed plastic interior, uni-control steering (no steering wheel, shift lever, brake pedal, or throttle), tell-tale warning lights instead of gauges, automatic cruise control, electronic road guidance, light-sensitive automatic headlamps and a temperature control that allowed you to set the inside temperature before getting into the car. Many of these features are commonplace today, they were quite radical a half-century ago. The Firebird III made a brief appearance with Elvis Presley in 'it happened at the World's Fair.'