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Built on the chassis of the Jeep Cherokee Limited station wagon, the Freedom was a proposal for a two-door convertible Jeep, similar to the 1985 Cherokee Targa. Painted a color dubbed "Viper Red." The four-wheel-drive Freedom featured a powder-actuated roof and a sporty rollbar behind the front seats. The Freedom was powered by Jeep's 177-horsepower Tech Six. Source: Concept Car Central

After completing the provocative trio of Aspid, Astec, and Asgard in 1988, the meticulous and sophisticated process began evolving and reinterpreting the classic features of a high-status saloon to create a concept car for 1990. The high-status saloon's stylistic development had Jaguar's typical exterior traits. The choice fell on Jaguar for two main reasons: the legendary Double Six V12 engine of the Sovereign, 5345 cc, 295 hp, on the other hand, the fact that at that time Jaguar saloons had not developed to the same point as their competition. The chassis and mechanical components of the Jaguar Sovereign V12 were left unchanged. The front-end protruded 121 mm further on the Kensington, and its tail was higher and shortened by 185 mm Sovereign. The passenger room was significantly improved due to an increase in roof height (25 mm). With their flush glass, the side windows traced an exquisite ellipse-shaped profile. Source: www.italdesign.it Images: ItalDesign

Presented at the 1990 Turin Motor Show, the I.A.D. Mini MPV had some neat features. Powered by a Ford Escort 4 cylinder, it produced 88 hp. Engine & performance: Type: Ford Escort, 4-cylinder Capacity: 1859 cc Power: 88 hp @ 4400 rpm Torque: 146 Nm @ 3800 rpm Dimensions: Length: 4300 mm Width: 1700 mm Height: 1900 mm Wheelbase: 2390 mm Weight: 1275 kg Source: allcarindex Images: Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page

Based on the GMC Siena pick-up, the Transcend featured a retractable roof that stowed away behind the seats or covered the top at the push of a button. The cab and cargo bed were integrated for a smoother appearance. A remote transmitter controlled the retractable roof and keyless entry and ignition systems. High-back six-way-power bucket seats were automatically adjusted to pre-set setting when the doors were opened. While the exterior was finished in black and magenta, the leather and cloth interior was complete in raspberry and black finishings. The center console housed a compact disc player, additional power modules, cup holders, and storage compartments for small items. The Transcend's low suspension and custom-designed chrome wheels are intended to attract the pick-up truck hot-rodders of the early 1990s. Source: Concept Car Central Images: GMC; Concept Car Central; www.chicagoautoshow.com

The Mahalo convertible pickup concept was based on the coming 1991 Sonoma compact pickup. Featuring a three-tone paint job of a coral body, accented by a diagonal sea-spray design in seafoam green, edged in white. The lowered body wore special ground effects, rear spoiler, bed cover, custom mirrors, and front air dam. The two-seat cockpit color scheme was a continuation of the exterior combination. Source: GMC; www.chicagoautoshow.com Images: www.chicagoautoshow.com

In January 1990, GM chairman Roger Smith demonstrated the Impact, an electric concept car, at the 1990 Los Angeles Auto Show. The California Clean Air Act required 10 percent of all new cars sold in the state by 2003 should have exhaust-free emissions. General Motors built the Impact concept in response to the ordinance, which went into production as the EV1 in 1996. To offset the weight of the batteries, much of the Impact's structure was made of composite materials. The fiberglass coupe recorded a drag coefficient of 0.19, the lowest in the General Motors wind tunnel. The 900-pound batteries gave the car a total weight of 2.200 pounds. Thirty-two sealed 10-volt lead-acid AC Delco units ran centrally along the length of the car, forming a transmission tunnel. The two-seat Impact was intended to be a car for short-distance driving; GM claimed the 100-mph car could accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in eight seconds. The batteries required charging after six hours and had a range of 120 miles. Source: Concept Car Central Images: Concept Car Central; carculture.com

Designed as a low-emissions, high-fuel-economy alternative to the traditional family sedan, the HX3 utilizes a powertrain that can be switched between gasoline or electric power. The monocab design seats five passengers comfortably in a compact package and redefines the look and function of a traditional passenger car. The vehicle's tapered shape is inspired by jet aircraft, achieving a 0.258 drag co-efficient. The General Motors HX3 concept vehicle utilized technology that entered production in the early 21st century. Resembling the minivan of the future, the HX3 combined electric and gasoline engine power. Electric motors in the front wheels received power from a pack of 32 lead-acid batteries. When the charge level was low, a three-cylinder gasoline engine automatically fired up and recharged them, running at a constant speed. The aerodynamic body featured removable rear fender skirts and flush glass enclosing a living room-type interior capable of holding up to fiye full-size passengers and their luggage. A 120-inch wheelbase and a 184.5-inch length were not far from different from conventional minivans. Low-resistance Goodyear tires worked with the body styling to keep demands down on the HX3's mechanics. Source: www.autospeed.com; Concept Car Central Images: General Motors Corp.

Part of a unique pair of concept cars, the Ghia Zig Concept debuted in 1990 with the Ghia Zag. Finished in mica black, the aerodynamic two-seat barchetta contrasted with the brilliant white finish of the Zag, a multi-purpose sports concept. Together, Zig and Zag – both based on Ford Fiesta architecture – were envisioned as a potential system of sports cars, hatchbacks, sedans, pickups, and delivery vans employing a shared lower door and body panels. The open-topped car featured a truncated windscreen inspired by the sports racing cars of the past. Inside, bright blue seats with neon green insert provided a striking visual difference from the lustrous black exterior finish. The instrument panel was futuristic with a similar bold color scheme. Zig had 16-inch custom-cut tires and bold wheels. Source: https://www.carrozzieri-italiani.com/listing/ford-zig/ Images: Concept Car Central

Futuristic yet practical and versatile, the Ghia Zag was a sports multi-purpose concept similar to a small van. It offered convertible functionality between passenger capacity and loading space and featured a folding roof rack. The Ghia Zig zigged with aerodynamic efficiency, so it zagged the Ghia Zag. Both vehicles featured seven-element fiber optic headlamps. At the rear, Zag’s design featured a nine-element fiber-optic array of the tail, brake, and warning lights, and, unlike Zig, the Zag featured small, slippery wing mirrors finished in body color white. The interior of the Ghia Zag included tube-frame seats in aqua nylon, with the trim in a bold but complementary bright purple. The interior also featured an array of hold-downs, clips, and straps to secure a wide variety of sporty goods. Source: Ford Media Site Images: Ford; Concept Car Central; community.webshots.com/user/paulnh1

The debut of the 1990 Ford Explorer Surf Concept was at the 1990 North American International Auto Show in all its purple glory. Ford fields two concept trucks — the Surf, a no-roof, no-tailgate version of its new Explorer 4x4, and the Street, an exercise that goes head-to-head with California customs in creating a mean and nasty street image. The Surf is promoted as a leisure vehicle — a fun way to get to the beach. Big 15-in. wheels help traction in the loose stuff and add a macho look. Flared fenders control water and sand spray, while special wheel discs keep hubs grit-free. It's all topped off with one of Ford's uninhibited paint jobs. Source: Cliff Gromer "Trucks Dream Haulers" - Popular Mechanics, Sep 1990 Images: Ford; Concept Car Central

Here's a shape that's easy for enthusiasts to love. The Shoccc Wave was conceived to surround the 3.0-liter 24-valve Yamaha V6 engine and all-wheel-drive system riding on composite wheels with 255/35R-18 tires. Nifty touches inside include a modular instrument panel, allowing the driver to fine-tune control positioning, an articulated knee bolster and cantilevered seats that eliminate the need for traditional seat rails. Source: Popular Mechanics, October 1990 A ShocccWave will be felt at auto shows across the country as Ford Motor Company displays its concept vision of a two-door, performance-oriented car for mid- to late-'90s. "We believe this aggressive looking car not only makes a statement," said Fritz Mayhew, chief design executive, North American Design, "but it is a creative exploration of interior space utilization that is entirely within the realm of possibility." Within the drive-oriented, ergonomically driven interior, there are numerous examples of creative uses of new technology. "We've built ShocccWave around an internal skeleton structure." Mr. Mayhew explained. "The instrument panel is divided into modules so that the driver can adjust the position of key controls. For example, the knee bolster is articulated and can be adjusted along the center console. Steering, hand controls and other instrumentation also can he moved along the center console. "An articulated pedal assembly enables the driver to select the seating position offering adequate headroom. And both front seats are cantilevered over the center console, eliminating front seats tracks. This offers more rear-seat foot room and improved rear-seat entry and exit. A convenience lighting package illuminates the floor to enhance the floating design of the front seats." Source: Ford Press Release Images: Ford Motor Company; was91355.deviantart.com

Fiesta versatility was the theme in 1990, which created the Fiesta Bebop. This jazzy Fiesta-based concept was a dynamic pickup design geared to sports-minded drivers. It presented a cheeky new face, roll-over hoop behind the passenger cabin, front and side-wall spoilers, and RS air slits in the hood, all wrapped in a customized paint scheme that transformed from yellow at the front to white at the rear with the use of blocks of color at the transition point. White wheels provided another distinctive design feature that lent a sporting air to this vehicle. Source: Ford Media Site Images: Ford

Ford fields two concept trucks — the Surf, a no-roof, no-tailgate version of its new Explorer 4x4, and the Street, an exercise that goes head-to-head with California customs in creating a mean and nasty street image. Based on a full-size F-150 model, the Street gets its don't-mess-with-me Hulk Hogan stance from a low profile and big 16-in. wheels. The truck is lowered 4 in. in front and 3 in. at the rear. The roof height is chopped 3 1/2 in. Then the suspension was set up to create a nose-down, "bad" attitude. The California influence is also evident in the shaved door handles, frenched antenna, and quad exhaust molded into the rocker panels. Ford doesn't have anything special under the hood to back up the menacing look, but that may soon change. Searching some forums hinted that the F-150 Street just might have gotten something interesting in the form of a built-up 460ci V8, though there isn't anything concrete proving that. In 1990, Ford still had all of the old blocks in service, so a wicked-up 351 Windsor or a 302 that had been tweaked wouldn't be out of the question, either. Source: Cliff Gromer "Trucks Dream Haulers" - Popular Mechanics, Sep 1990; https://bangshift.com/general-news/car-features/trucks-car-features/random-car-review-the-1990-ford-f-150-street-concept-truck/ Images: Custom_Cab's photostream; Sport Truck; Flickr

Featuring the cab-forward design philosophy popular at Chrysler Corp. during the 1990s, the Optima concept sedan was the most popular display in the Eagle exhibit area. Its aerodynamic body and custom 5-spoke rims were painted a 3-coat pearlescent white. Complementing Optima’s iridescent exterior, the 5-passenger cabin was upholstered in quartz (light) gray, highlighted by blue accents. Power was supplied to all 4-wheels through an experimental, 32-valve all-aluminum V-8. The 112-inch wheelbase on the Eagle Optima was 1-inch shorter than the 1990 Chrysler Concorde. Source: www.chicagoautoshow.com Images: Chrysler Corporation; www.chicagoautoshow.com

Dodge had a popular hit in '78 with its Li'l Red Truck — a vehicle now in demand by collectors. It had a macho truck image and good performance from a converter-free 360-cu.-in. V8. The Mopar folks are trying to recapture some of that magic with their LRT (Little Red Truck) convertible based on the V8-powered Dakota. The unique front-end treatment is designed to look tough and aggressive. According to the designers, the grille pontoon fenders with flush aero lamps and integral bumper emulate a Peterbilt look. The top and bed are special features on this 4x4. The convertible top uses retractable metal panels which stow behind the bucket seats. They are moved by electric motors, similar to the old Ford retractable hardtop. The tracking mechanism for the system is housed in the sports bar, which also supports off-road lights. The bed tilts like a dump truck, and a winch/conveyor track allows easy loading/unloading of an ATV. The package is rounded out by 17-in. wheels similar to those used on the '89 Dodge Viper R/T concept car. Source: Cliff Gromer "Trucks Dream Haulers" - Popular Mechanics, Sep 1990 Images: Dodge

In 1990, Chrysler released their Dodge Daytona IROC RT concept vehicle onto the auto show circuit. Although the concept was not the same as the Daytona that would be sold to the public, many of the design elements of the concept would appear on the 1992-1993 Daytonas, such as the fixed headlights, rounded, one-piece taillamps, the crosshair grille, and the more fully integrated side ground effects. Under the hood was a single overhead cam, turbocharged, VNT 2.2 liter inline-4 cylinder. The variable nozzle turbo (VNT) engine provided a full turbo boost in only 2.2 seconds. The claimed performance was 0-60 in 6.1 seconds, with a top speed of 140 mph. The suspension was independent in front, with a trailing arm in back. The tires were P275/40VR17 Goodyear Experimentals on 17 X 9.5-inch cast-aluminum wheels. Two design elements on this concept car that never made it into the production vehicles were the all-glass roof and the all-wheel-drive system. Source: www.moparautos.com Images: Dodge; www.moparautos.com

Daihatsu created this quirky single-seater in 1990. No other photos or information could be found. Comment below if anything else is known. Image: Daihatsu

Citroën Scarabée d’Or was a concept of an all-wheel-drive passenger car created in 1990 by the French company Heuliez. The name recalled the Autochenille driven by Georges Marie Haadt and Louis Audouin Dubreuil, which led the first trans-Sahara crossing by car in 1922. The concept’s chassis was based on the shortened Citroën BX 4×4 chassis. The car was 4-seater; while only the front seats were openly located, two more seats were hidden in the trunk. The only prototype was made. The show-car was presented to the public in 1990 at the Paris Motor Show. Music producer Eddie Barclay wanted to buy the concept immediately after the car show. Still, Heuliez refused to install an engine in the car since they did not receive permission from Citroën. Source: https://smallcarsclub.com/catalog/citroen/citroen-scarabee-dor/

The Activa ll, a more production-like sedan with seating for four, was presented at the 1990 Paris Auto Show. The hydractive suspension fitted to the car modified the vehicle's altitude according to speed. The headlights, vehicle height, and other functions were changed to certain speeds to suit the driver's needs. The car raised slightly for easier entry and exit when the doors were opened. The antiroll suspension kept the car flat while negotiating severe turns by monitoring speed and steering angles. The heads-up display system, also used on the original Activa concept, projected the driver's vital information on the windshield. An interior computer presented the driver with twenty-four safety functions and warned the driver if anything needed attention. Rather than a transmission shift lever, buttons for each gear were mounted on the console. The computer also served as a talking navigational system. This stunning two-door coupé is based largely on XM mechanical bits fitted with a 3 liter V6 24 valve engine developing 200 bhp, an automatic 4-speed gearbox, an active antiroll system, and a multi-function VDU. Activa II could have been put into production. Much of the suspension technology would find its way into the Xantia Activa. Still, Citroën felt that it would not have been commercially viable since to make a profit, it would have been competing with marques with a proven track record in building high-performance coupés. They considered it unlikely that Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes owners would be seduced by the double chevron. The fact that wealthy Citroën enthusiasts would have snapped it up did not sway PSA's management. Source: Concept Car Central; www.citroenet.org.uk

Bertone interpreted the sophisticated mechanical unit of the ZR-1 in a European key. Bertone designed a special chassis to make a sporty "boat" with a mid-engine. This mechanical layout allowed it to exploit all the engine's power when accelerating and warrant perfect road-holding on bends. Nivola is after the famous driver, Tazio Nuvolari, nicknamed "Nivola," much admired by Bertone, who usually drove his cars dressed in yellow. The Nivola may be considered Bertone's homage to the American sports car: the Chevrolet Corvette. Source: www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com Images: Bertone; Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page