#1
ULTIMATE FINS: "A Vintage Car Show"
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2015
Car Show Hours: 10:00am- 4:00pm
Location: MOCA Outdoor Plaza (Museum of Contemporary Art) Downtown Tucson
Address: 265 S. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Spectator Entry: $10
Ticket: Purchase on-site or in advance: www.TucsonMod.com
A very special vintage car show, featuring a wide variety of privately-owned Finned-era cars, will accompany the 1958 GM Firebird III MOTORAMA DreamCar's Tucson debut (see Events #2&3 below). The public is invited to see these beautiful examples of rolling "Jet Age" art!
HOW TO ENTER YOUR CAR IN THE SHOW:
Restrictions apply. See the ENTRY information page to learn more. Act quickly!
#2
ULTIMATE FINS: The Firebird III on display in Tucson during a RARE public appearance!
plus bonus event...
"The Automotive Art & Illustrations of Jim Ewen"
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Times: 9:00am-5:30pm
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Times: 9:00am-2:00pm
Location: MOCA Great Hall (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Address: 265 S. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Cost: $10
Ticket: Purchase on-site or in advance: www.TucsonMod.com
It has been called one of the most important pieces of American automotive design of the twentieth century. Its technology was bold and cutting edge, and it remains the undisputed epitome of finned-era design.
learn more...
In reality, it was Harley Earl's final, ultimate tribute to the mid-century car show extravaganzas known as MOTORAMA. Featuring no less than nine fins (the rear dorsal fin being nearly five feet high!), the Firebird III was a turbine-powered technological tour-de-force meant to excite the crowds during its unveiling in New York's prestigious Waldorf Astoria ballroom in October of 1958. Two weeks later in Boston, it provided the same "wow factor" while helping introduce the entire 1959 GM lineup of new cars during what became the last-ever American MOTORAMA event.
Then, just as quickly as these MOTORAMA events came to an end (coinciding with Harley Earl's official retirement as GM's VP of Styling), fins were suddenly no longer en vogue. The Jet Age, it seemed, was suddenly over. Though the Firebird III's experimental technology (cruise control, self-guided driving capabilities, auto-leveling suspension, remote starting, and much more) lives on today, the "Finned Floozy's" over-the-top styling has never been outdone.
Tucson Modernism Week, in cooperation with the GM Heritage Center, is proud to bring the actual Firebird III to Tucson for a rare public appearance at our prestigious event. It will be on display for the first time in Arizona since initial testing was done at General Motors' Desert Proving Grounds in the summer of 1958. This display also includes a heartwarming reunion with two of its original designers (see Event #3 below).
<<< Bonus event...
See original art and designs from Jim Ewen's 30-year career (1957-'87) at General Motors, including full-color sketches and renderings of various automobiles and "future" transportation concepts. Included will be three original drawings showing alternate headlight proposals for the Firebird III.
#3
ULTIMATE FINS: "Designing GM's 1958 Firebird III MOTORAMA DreamCar"
Date: Saturday, Oct 3rd, 2015
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Location: MOCA Great Hall (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Address: 265 S. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Cost: $15, includes a HUGE 36x24" full-color limited edition POSTER commemorating this special event.
Ticket: Purchase on-site or in advance: www.TucsonMod.com
Host and moderator Thom Sherwood brings together the two sole surviving members of the Firebird III's original team for the first time in over a half century for an intimate, delightful reunion and discussion. Unique photography, illustrations and personal recollections will be highlighted as designers Norm James and Jim Ewen discuss how this remarkable experimental automobile was conceived, built, tested and showcased as the future of the American automobile.
This heartwarming, once-in-a-lifetime automotive reunion with Norm, Jim and the Firebird III -- just one of the many events planned for Tucson Modernism Week -- should not be missed!
CLICK HERE to learn more about our host and presenters.
<<< Poster Autograph Session
Get your souvenir poster autographed by the designers Saturday, October 3rd, between 2:45 - 3:45pm only, located near the entrance to the MOCA Great Hall.
Posters may be purchased onsite for $5, but are otherwise provided FREE to attendees of this seminar
#4
Exclusive Reception Event and GM Experience
Dates: Saturday, October 3, 2015
Times: 5:30pm until 7:00pm
Location: MOCA Great Hall (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Address: 265 S. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Cost: $45
Tickets: Purchase in advance at: www.TucsonMod.com
Attire: Period clothing (1950-early'60s) chic and fun! encouraged, but not required.
Meet the Firebird III designers in-person during this special reception benefiting the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Local wines and light snacks provided. Music by DJ Butterfly.
Separate reception admission ticket required. For more details, visit www.MOCA-Tucson.org
#5
Vintage Trailer Show
Saturday, Oct 3, 2015
Times: 10:00am-3:00pm
Sunday, Oct 4, 2015
Times: 9:00am-2:00pm
Location: Tucson Convention Center's Eckbo Plaza
Address: 260 S. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
(outdoors, directly west of MOCA)
Cost: $10
Ticket: Purchase on-site or in advance: www.TucsonMod.com
Rocket onto the open road with TEN shiny, chic and mobile Vintage Trailers! This year we're presenting the 3rd annual Vintage Trailer exhibition for Tucson Modernism Week. Peek inside one-of-a-kind, renovated travel trailers and tour their groovy interiors, custom built furniture and retro finishes.
Trailer owners will be on hand to talk history, restoration and adventures on the open road.