Two concept cars conceived by a New Mexico resident during the 1950s will be on loan at the Route 66 Visitor Center on Albuquerque’s west side when the facility opens later this spring.
Leopold E. Garcia’s “Bubbles Car” and “City Car” will be part of the visitors center’s car museum, according to a news release from the city.
In the 1950s Leopold created “Chic-ito.” Chic-ito has an 80-inch wheelbase and carried a Ford flathead V-8 and featured a curled exhaust pipe that doubles as a functional front bumper. The vehicle was debuted in several magazines and was later named “Bubbles”. Bubbles received several awards including one from Indianapolis Motor World Fair, it also took top honors at the Speedorama Auto Show in Minneapolis and won second place for design at the Motocade in Sioux Falls.
Also, in the 1950’s Leopold created “City Car.” City Car is a three-wheeled vehicle that runs from a V-4 air-cooled forklift motor. City Car is opened from the front end and has a single bench seat to sit directly behind the windshield. Leopold received his patent in 1962 and was planning production in Germany however, this never happened, and City Car remains a concept car only.
“It’s an honor to have these cars showcased at the Route 66 Visitor’s Center,” said Councilor Klarissa Peña. “Leopoldo Garcia lived in New Mexico, so it’s a fitting tribute to honor his innovative work here along Route 66. We are looking for other donations to the museum and are happy to consider Route 66 and City of Albuquerque history-related artifacts from the community.”
Garcia lived in nearby Bernalillo, attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque to study engineering and sculpting, plus worked for Ford Motor Co. His concept cars were supposed to stay in New Mexico after his death.
The $12 million Route 66 Visitors Center on the top of Nine Mile Hill is scheduled to open by spring.
In addition to it paying homage to Route 66 and information about the city, the facility will house a New Mexico Music Hall of Fame, a taproom and a reception area for parties and events.
(Images of City Car and Bubbles Car via the City of Albuquerque)