Transparent 1939 Pontiac Deluxe Six 'Ghost Car' Heads to Auction
Pontiac’s Plexiglas-bodied 1939 Deluxe Six, built for the New York World’s Fair, will be offered for sale at Plymouth’s Inn alongside 69 other rare vehicles.
A rare 1939 Pontiac Deluxe Six known as the "Ghost Car" will be auctioned on Saturday at Plymouth’s Inn, joining a line-up of 70 high-end vehicles. The car, which features a transparent Plexiglas body, was constructed as a showpiece for the 1939 New York World’s Fair and remains one of the most unusual examples of pre-war automotive design.
The Ghost Car was commissioned by General Motors and built in partnership with the chemical company Rohm & Haas, which had developed Plexiglas as a new material in the late 1930s. Using Pontiac’s standard Deluxe Six chassis and drivetrain, the project team replaced the usual steel panels with clear Plexiglas, allowing the public to see every mechanical detail. At the time, this was a technical marvel, as the material had only recently been commercialised.
Technical details and provenance
Mechanically, the transparent Pontiac is a standard Deluxe Six beneath its clear skin. It is powered by a 2.2-litre straight-six engine producing 85 horsepower, paired with a three-speed manual gearbox. The car features independent front suspension, a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. While fully functional, the Ghost Car was never intended for road use and does not have a vehicle identification number. It has reportedly covered only 90 miles since new, most of which were likely accrued during its time as a display vehicle.
The transparent Pontiac was not a one-off experiment. In 1940, Pontiac and Rohm & Haas produced a similar clear-bodied Torpedo Eight, but the 1939 Deluxe Six remains the most famous of the series. Both were intended as promotional tools to showcase American manufacturing and materials innovation on the eve of the Second World War. The Ghost Car’s lack of a VIN and its display-only history have kept its mileage exceptionally low and its condition largely original.
Auction and collector interest
The Ghost Car’s appearance at auction is a rare event. With its unique construction and provenance, it appeals to collectors of classic cars, automotive historians and museums. The car’s originality and low mileage further add to its appeal, though its lack of a VIN means it is not road legal. The auction at Plymouth’s Inn will also feature 69 other high-end vehicles, but the transparent Pontiac is expected to draw the most attention.
Interest in transparent showcars has endured, but few have survived with their original Plexiglas intact. The Ghost Car stands as a rare survivor from an era when American manufacturers used bold displays to attract attention at world fairs and exhibitions. Its sale will be closely watched by those interested in both automotive and industrial history.
