Gilmore Car Museum showcases GM 'dream cars' in new exhibit

The museum's special exhibition features eight original General Motors Motorama concept cars from the 1950s and 1960s.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:38am

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An abstract, motion-blurred image of a classic 1950s GM concept car, with vibrant streaks of color and a sense of speed and movement conveying the forward-thinking design and engineering of these 'dream cars'.The Gilmore Car Museum's new exhibit showcases GM's innovative 'dream cars' from the mid-20th century, capturing the dynamic energy and futuristic vision of these iconic concept vehicles.Hickory Corners Today

The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan is opening a new exhibit this weekend showcasing eight original General Motors Motorama 'dream cars' from the 1950s and 1960s. The exhibit, which will run for the next year, features concept vehicles from the Joe Bortz Auto Collection that highlight GM's vision for the future of automotive design and technology during that era.

Why it matters

The Motorama exhibits were an important part of GM's marketing strategy in the mid-20th century, allowing the automaker to showcase its most innovative and forward-thinking concept vehicles. This new exhibit at the Gilmore Car Museum provides a rare opportunity for the public to see these historic 'dream cars' up close and experience a glimpse into the design aspirations of the automotive industry during that transformative period.

The details

The Gilmore Car Museum's new exhibit, titled 'GM Motorama Dream Cars', will feature eight original concept vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s on loan from the Joe Bortz Auto Collection. These 'dream cars' were never intended for full production, but rather were designed to showcase GM's vision for the future of automotive styling, technology, and the driver experience. The exhibit will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm daily, with tickets available for purchase on the museum's website.

  • The exhibit opens this Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • The exhibit will run for one year, through April 2027.

The players

Gilmore Car Museum

A non-profit automotive museum located in Hickory Corners, Michigan that houses one of the largest collections of vintage and classic cars in North America.

General Motors (GM)

One of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, known for producing iconic American car brands like Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and more.

Joe Bortz Auto Collection

A private collection of rare and historic concept cars, including many original GM Motorama 'dream cars' from the 1950s and 1960s.

Nick Lacasse

The executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum.

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What they’re saying

“The Motorama goes back to the mid-century, and it is an opportunity for GM, in this particular case, to highlight what they saw as the future of automotive design, and the car, and how we interact with it.”

— Nick Lacasse, Executive Director, Gilmore Car Museum

What’s next

The Gilmore Car Museum plans to host a special opening celebration for the 'GM Motorama Dream Cars' exhibit this Saturday, April 12th, with additional programming and events throughout the year-long run of the exhibit.

The takeaway

This unique exhibit at the Gilmore Car Museum provides a rare glimpse into GM's mid-century vision for the future of automotive design and technology. By showcasing these innovative 'dream cars' from the Motorama era, the museum offers visitors an opportunity to step back in time and experience the design aspirations that helped shape the American automotive industry.