Description[]
The GM Ultralite is a low-emissions vehicle designed by Burt Rutan and other designers for General Motors in 1991. Intended as a technology demonstrator, the Ultralite was intended to demonstrate the benefits of its use of advanced materials (in this case carbon fiber) and low fuel consumption. The car was rated by the EPG at an impressive 88 mpg, although GM claimed it could go as high as 100 mpg if the car was coasting. The car was ultimately canceled; it being made largely of carbon fiber meant that the car could have never been affordable, and combined with new emissions regulations in California, GM switched their focus to their ultimately ill-fated EV1 project. Two cars were produced.
Due to its unusual design, the Ultralite has found a home in many movies, usually acting as a futuristic mode of transportation. The car's most notable appearance was in that of the film Demolition Man, representing a 2032 Chevrolet police car; twenty fiberglass replicas were produced specifically for the film.
Early releases of the casting feature copyright on the base pertaining to Warner Bros.; this was later changed to "Ultralite". The casting has been referred to as simply Police Car or Police in later releases. Of note is that this casting was used as one of various props in the Demolition Man pinball machine, alongside the Olds 442 W-30.
Versions[]
The GM Ultralite has come out in the following versions:
| Col # | Year | Series | Color | Tampo | Base Color / Type | Window Color | Interior Color | Wheel Type | Toy # | Country | Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Demolition Man | White & Black | Grey police shield & 'SAPD' on sides, Black & Grey shield on hood | Black / Plastic | Black | None | UH | 11083 | Malaysia | Packaged with Cryo-Cube (Park'n Plates box) | 
| |
| 594 | 1997 | Mainline | White & Black | Grey police shield & 'SAPD' on sides, Black & Grey shield on hood | Black / Plastic | Black | None | 7SP | 18363 | Malaysia | 
| |
| 594 | 1997 | Mainline | White & Black | None | Black / Plastic | Black | None | 7SP | 18363 | Malaysia | 
| |
| 594 | 1997 | Mainline | White & Black | None | Black / Plastic | Black | None | 3SP | 18363 | Malaysia | Some releases named Police Car | 
|
| 594 | 1997 | Mainline | White & Black | Grey police shield & 'SAPD' on sides, Black & Grey shield on hood | Black / Plastic | Black | None | 5DOT | 18363 | Malaysia | Named Police | 
|
| 1998 | Police Squad 5-Pack | White & Black | Red, Gold & White star on fenders "To Protect and Serve" on doors | White / Plastic | Black | None | 3SP | 18838 | Malaysia | 
| ||
| 2001 | Final Run 5/12 |
Red, White & Black | "Millennium Police" on sides, hood & rear; Final Run logo on fenders | Black / Plastic | Black | None | DDRR | 26996 | Malaysia | Named Ultralite | 
|
1997-card[]
From the back of the 1997-card:
COLLECTOR TIP
Did you know that the model currently called AEROFLASH® has had two other names? It was called "Large Charge" when it was issued in 1975 and "Silver Bullet" in 1985!