You may recognize the Exide name from their line of batteries. In this priceless National Archive photo, dated October 1973, Exide shows off its latest creation: The Sundancer experimental vehicle.
The EPA, formed three years earlier under President Nixon, held the first Symposium on Low Pollution Power Systems Development at the Ann Arbor Marriott in 1973. The vehicles and hardware displayed at this symposium were assembled at the EPA’s Ann Arbor Laboratory; part of the exhibit took place in the Marriott parking lot itself. I would love to have been a fly on the wall, listening to the reactions of these gentlemen. The dramatic wedge shape looks aerodynamic enough, but I’ll refrain from speaking beyond my competence. As a footnote, Exide is still active in the alternative energy arena — giving their financial support to the Cornell Automotive X-Prize Team.