Freaking awesome. I don't know how else to express my feelings. Seriously cool. When you can look at a one-off custom like this 40 years later and still say that, you know it's a true classic.
Where does the 115 hp estimate come from? A 225 with no emissions gear and a dual carb intake should be closer to double that. This truck is probably not particularly slow.
@Novaload: No, actually it started with dropping off the WRXagon at the dealer for a 60k service and then waiting 60 minutes to have a rental Caravan inflicted upon me.
I feel like I need to comment up a fucking storm here, because this is exactly the kind of stuff I LOVE seeing on Jalopnik. Beautiful old cars, unique survivors, old one-off customs, original concepts... ah!
I've been debating back and forth a lot about what my next project should be. I kind of wanted to start a VW Bus project that I could stuff a powerful engine into and still take camping.
A cabover pickup would be a way better idea. Stuff a decent V8 in there, throw some upgrades on the suspension, grab an in-bed camper, and away you go!
@VeeArrrSix: I saw one of those on the freeway last week. Plain looking water-cooled Vanagon, personalized plate "VANARU". When he accelerated, I could tell he didn't have much in the way of mufflers installed.
@Deartháir II: The Return: If you look in the right places, Corvair pickups aren't too terribly difficult to find, and the engine in the back layout means a truck with traction and a cabover with interior space; plus, super-cool side loading doors.
@FP: Your Volvo is awesome! Anyway: Oh man. I'm not sure what my subconscious was telling me with that flower. Either the Vanamino is running the flower over, or I need to get a haircut and some face tattoos.
I had several of these Deoras as Hot Wheels when I was little kid. I played fairly rough with them by racing them, and smashing them in heart stopping wrecks, and if I wasn’t messing with them, they were piled up in a in an old cigar box or on the floor where I would inevitability step on one. So mine always ended up with severely bent and/or missing wheels and scratched paint. But then, there was that kid who lived down the street, who had his cars neatly arranged in a circular pattern in a Hot Wheels Rally Case. His cars were all perfect, with nary a scratch. He would barely let you touch or roll them on the floor. As soon as he was done gazing upon them, they would go neatly back in the case. That damned kid down the street with the Hot Wheels Rally Case probably still has his cars all arranged in that sinister circular pattern. May he be Damned! I figured he probably went on to be a serial killer.
I still have several of my old Hot Wheels, and yes one is a Deora and it looks like hell, but my favorite Mongoose dragster is long gone.
@Flathead Smith: I passed the Deora, Fleetside, Snake, Mongoose and so many more (along with the Rally case) down to my little brother. Many were scratched or has wheels askew but all were "dirt pile approved" from years of play. Little by little many cars disappeared and the pastic latch on the case broke - such is the life of well used toys. Several have survived (though I don't know which) and wait in my parents basement for someone to come and play.
Do you remember staring at your Hot Wheels and wondering what it would be like to shrink down so you could actually sit in one, or have it blow up to life size? Childhood fantasy realized.
Extremely cool in '67 and hasn't dated much in 42 years - still looks spectacular. Those chrome things on the side scoops look suspiciously like the bright trim from '64-'66 Mustang taillights. Also, where ARE the taillights on this truck? Is that rear wood panel translucent or something?
@tonyola: You know, it really has aged well. It still looks just as outlandish and awesome as it would have back then. Or, I assume it would have, as I was still a few years away from being born. Some concepts and one-offs look dated and silly when you look back on them thirty years later. This one still looks awesome, even 42 years later!
@tonyola: Those are Mustang taillights. The hatch and a bunch of other parts came from Ford as well.
The taillights on the back are only visible at certain angles. Lights are mounted so they hit a chrome or mirrored panel, reflecting the light to the rear.
The gauge placement is a bit goofy, and not particular safe for driving. On the other hand, I think the exterior is damn cool. Certainly it's unconventional, but I can't think of a better looking pickup.
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Loved that truck...and I can see many a styling cue which remained in this concept.
It should have a 6.1L modern hemi in it, but then it should also have disc brakes and seatbelts, too.
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God, those lines are just amazing.
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I saw one of these driving around Sylmar, CA on my way in this morning.
It's used by some auto machine shop that services Ammco Brake Lathes.
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The freakmobile was the lone hilight
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I need a cigarette.
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A cabover pickup would be a way better idea. Stuff a decent V8 in there, throw some upgrades on the suspension, grab an in-bed camper, and away you go!
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@Ben Wojdyla: I was doing a little doodling, thinking that a Toyota Vanamino* might be a fun project.
*Is -amino the correct suffix, based on the Geo connection?
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I still have several of my old Hot Wheels, and yes one is a Deora and it looks like hell, but my favorite Mongoose dragster is long gone.
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Someone pass me a cigarette.
Was it good for you too, engine photograph?
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Extremely cool in '67 and hasn't dated much in 42 years - still looks spectacular. Those chrome things on the side scoops look suspiciously like the bright trim from '64-'66 Mustang taillights. Also, where ARE the taillights on this truck? Is that rear wood panel translucent or something?
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The taillights on the back are only visible at certain angles. Lights are mounted so they hit a chrome or mirrored panel, reflecting the light to the rear.
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