1993 Chrysler Thunderbolt

Tom Gale’s concepts-such showstoppers as the 1993 Thunderbolt, 1995 Atlantic, 1997 Phaeton-and high-profile, Hollywood-style reveals of eye-catching production cars like the Viper, the swoopy LH platform models, and the Prowler helped make the Detroit show a must-see for foreign auto writers, despite the rigors of the Michigan winter. Rival automakers, noticing the buzz Chrysler was generating, began showing concept cars of their own and amping up the theatricality of their Detroit show launches.