Issued by Dodge Public Relations, the photograph shows Lawrence seated inside the Charger III demonstrating its unusual jet-aircraft-style canopy entry system. A second view shows the dramatic low-slung profile of the experimental automobile.
The original attached “DODGE NEWS PHOTO” caption describes the Charger III as a sleek experimental car touring major automobile shows throughout the country and gives its dimensions as only 42 inches high, 184 inches long and 73 inches wide.
According to the original Dodge release, the Charger III had:
- No conventional doors
- No opening windows
- A push-button, jet-aircraft-style canopy
- Twin bucket seats that elevated approximately 8 inches
- A steering wheel and instrument cluster that swung away for entry
- Futuristic low-profile concept-car styling
The caption specifically identifies the model as Sandy Lawrence of Detroit and carries the Dodge Public Relations reference (68-92), dating the image to the 1968 era.
The photograph also has an important social-history aspect. It presents a Black female model prominently featured in official late-1960s automotive corporate publicity, an interesting surviving example of African American representation in mainstream American advertising and promotional photography during the Civil Rights era.
I would mention this angle without claiming the photograph was a “first” or uniquely groundbreaking, since the surviving Dodge caption does not make such a claim.
A strong crossover collectible for enthusiasts of Dodge, Mopar, concept cars, 1960s automotive design, African American advertising history, Black fashion/modeling history and vintage corporate photography.
Original Dodge descriptive caption remains attached to the photograph.
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