This 1973 color film from the United States Environmental Protection Agency offers a glimpse of cutting-edge, experimental automobile concepts at the First Symposium on Lower Power Systems Development, an EPA conference held at the Marriott Motor of Ann Arbor, Michigan that focused on international efforts to develop cars with high fuel efficiency or alternative fuel sources. A sporty red electric car, the ESB and Exide “Sundancer,” appears alongside a steam-powered bus and other intriguing, ahead-of-their-time creations (TRT: 6:26).
Experimental concept cars. An open hood reveals an engine modified with a unique switching device. A General Motors (GM) logo on a small, gas-powered vehicle (0:06). A license plate, “EPA-364.” A Lear Motors “Steamcoach” bus carries the message “Steam is Beautiful.” A lineup of parked experimental vehicles (0:23). An interview with a Dr. Hartman of Germany, who wears a mustache and sunglasses. Another EPA representative, Cooper Beck of the Netherlands wears glasses, speaks about the pursuit of low pollution policies for automakers. (0:39). Mr Longstrom, a Swedish government representative with windswept hair, speaks on the issue of oil dependence in an extended interview clip (1:38). The “Sundancer,” ESB/Exide Battery’s electric car features a movable steering wheel to aid a man’s entry into the small vehicle (2:22). The 12-horsepower gasoline engine of the GM car boasts high fuel efficiency (2:46). A green electric vehicle has a range of 30 miles (3:14). A white full-size EPA/Williams automobile equipped with a gas turbine engine and a companion car from the EPA, also with a turbine engine (3:25). A tour of the steam-powered bus’ boiler. Building steam pressure. Passengers board the coach, then under development at an ETA lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A Lear Motors Corporation banner on the bus reads, “World’s First Steam Turbine Powered Road Vehicle” (3:58). An interview with Josh Brogan, another EPA conference attendee, who discusses the usefulness of the forum, the resulting exchange of information (4:56). Two passengers board the Sundancer, lowering its roof into place to reveal the outline of the compact vehicle. Narration speculates that the solution to international pollution control could be an electric car like the one pictured. The sundancer drives away (5:35). A sunset and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency logo (6:05).
This film documents responses by automakers and engineers to the 1973 oil crisis, which resulted from an export embargo declared by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries.
The Exide Sundancer, praised in the mid 70s for its innovative electric design and stylish appearance, was widely deemed unfit for use on United States roadways due to its unusually low-profile shape and compact size.
The Lear Steam Coach was created by Lear Motors, whose founder Bill Lear was the father of the 8-track tape cartridge and creator of the famed Learjet commercial business jet. Lear attempted to make steam vehicles that used a closed system, with steam being produced and then condensed back to water. His “Vapor Turbine System” bus installation for San Francisco’s MUNI was funded by a grant from the State of California and the Department of Transportation. Compared to a diesel bus, the steam turbine engine produced far fewer air pollution. But the engine’s mechanical complexity, high production cost and high fuel consumption, plus the perception that steam technology was backwards-looking and outmoded, meant that the steam bus never advanced beyond prototype stage.
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
