Creative Industries of Detroit: The Untold Story of Detroit's Secret Concept Car Builder

Leon Dixon

Feb 2017 · CarTech Inc

About this ebook

As America entered the postwar 1950s a resurgence by the auto manufacturers enabled them to create the most eccentric and extravagant automobiles of all time. Fierce competition between designers from General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, and independents such as Packard all turned to one car builder nestled firmly in America's bustling automotive mecca to help design the most elaborate prototype and concept cars ever: Creative Industries of Detroit. 

Author Leon Dixon's comprehensive account chronicles the greatest automotive achievements constructed at Creative Industries of Detroit. The careers of the company's founder, Fred Johnson, and his successor, Rex Terry, are examined to show how two former Chrysler employees led the most diverse automotive firm in all of Detroit. Dream cars created and examined in great detail include the Ford Atmos-FX, Mercury XM-800, Dodge Granada, Packard Balboa, Packard Panthers, Packard Request, Ford Mystere, Corvette Corvair, Dodge Daytona, Plymouth Superbird, Delorean, and many more. An amazing amount of hardware was constructed, each make separate from the other, and with a high level of secrecy. 

Creative Industries of Detroit: The Untold Story of Detroit's Secret Concept Car Builder offers the most exhaustive and complete account of the 40-plus-year history creating dream, prototype, concept, and one-off cars from Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1950 Presidential Lincoln Limousine to the 1993 Mustang Mach III concept cars. This all-inclusive book is the first-ever on the subject, and features behind-the-scenes images and interviews never published before.

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About the author

Leon Dixon grew up in Detroit, Michigan, during the glory years of the automotive industry and loves anything with wheels. He witnessed the heyday of Detroit’s reign as the world’s automotive capitol and knew many of the people at Creative Industries of Detroit.

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As an adult, Leon worked in the automotive industry in positions ranging from technical writing, product planning, project management, lead engineer, and professional consultant. Leon proudly participated in development of several vehicles, including the original famed Mazda Miata.

Leon is an authority on concept cars, Packard automobile history, and vintage bicycles. He has owned several Packards and thousands of vintage bicycles. 

He has appeared on radio and television, and in magazines including Forbes, Sports Illustrated, Popular Mechanics, Hemmings Motor News, Car Classics, Antiques Roadshow Insider, and more. He is a regular contributor to The Packard Cormorant.