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Jason Kozma (Ravensjk)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 10:35 am: | 
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I was day dreaming as usual, thinking about what I would do if Land Rover didn't exist. What type vehicle would I get? This got me thinking to other decent 4x4s, and then to concept vehicles. Some of these sound pretty cool, but how often do they get built? Any ideas?
Retro Land Cruiser
Ready for some gene splicing? Start with a 1967 FJ-45 Land Cruiser. Throw a modern-day Land Cruiser chassis beneath it. Wedge a torquey Toyota V8 under the hood. Add Millen-custom coil-over shock assemblies -- and 35-inch tires with military-style beadlocks -- for 12.5 inches of wheel travel. Give it circumnavigational prowess with dual 9,000-lb. Warn winches, a satellite phone and (since you don't know just where you'll end up) two Kevlar skid plates. Retro Cruiser: the DNA of the old and the technology of the new. A more volatile test tube we've never seen.
Jeepster
A V8-powered sports car that can cover the Rubicon Trail, the ultimate test of off-road prowess. It could only be called the Jeepster.
The Jeepster’s electronic, four-wheel independent suspension raises and lowers via two console switches. On-road, the Jeepster has a ground clearance of 5.75 inches. Off-road, the Jeepster can be raised to a rock-climbing 9.75-inch ground clearance. Equipped with short overhangs, a 4.7-litre 32-valve V8 engine, monster dual exhaust pipes, a Quadra-Trac II® transfer case with on-demand 4WD high and low, a four-speed automatic and an integrated aluminum skid plate, Moore says the Jeepster is not a sport-ute ‘wanna-be.’ It’s the real deal. It’s even equipped with a tow hook designed into the hood hinge.
The Jeepster’s traditional seven-slat grille is flanked by open fenders cantilevered over the front tires. Round headlamps are slightly exposed above the hood surface, and an elegant character line in the center of the hood is in keeping with the original Jeepster. The entire vehicle angles forward — in the on-road position — to create an aggressive, linear look. A roll cage stands at attention under the Jeepster’s soft convertible top. And the deeply sculpted, 19-inch aluminum wheels are mated with Goodyear extended-mobility tires, designed to run for 50 miles after a flat.
Inside, the Jeepster’s instrument panel has a military radio look. Compact controls are arranged concentrically, and the navigational system features a global positioning satellite system, an altimeter and a grade and roll indicator. The Jeepster’s seats are crafted of the same weather-resistant leather used for hiking boots.
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offrovn
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 10:51 am: |
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I saw that Landcruiser in a car magazine a couple years ago. I LOVE it. Even if it did not have the extent of all those accesories it would still be awesome. |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 11:42 am: |
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From what In understand, they do indeed get built for the most part. They are hand built,usually only one makes it. Sometimes you see them at auto shows or collector shows. But I don;t know how you get your hands on one. |
Eric N (Grnrvr)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 11:49 am: |
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You could probably get your hands on one if you have enough $$$$$$$$$$$$ for it. Almost any one will sell almost anything for enough money. Hell, if you had enough money you could just have one built for you by an independent shop some where. |
Jason Kozma (Ravensjk)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 12:08 pm: |
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I guess what I was really asking is, do concept cars ever really turn into mass production models? For instance, was the Discovery (in any incarnation) ever a concept vehicle before it became the modern day Discovery? Does that Cruiser ever really have a chance at reaching the public in mass? |
mantaray (Mantaray)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 12:39 pm: |
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i'd like the Cruiser if it had solid axles and wasn't so blatantly trying to be a hummer. i'd rather have an FJ-40. |
Robert Sublett (Rubisco98)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 01:35 pm: |
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All vehicles begin as concepts, in some shape or form. I would think that almost 100% of the time they are never produced as they were originally conceived. Looks may be very similar, but usually the concepts are pretty pimped out. I once saw a special on Dateline or 20/20 about the fate of concept cars. It showed this factory sized garage (which they did not disclose the location of) but was somewhere in the middle of nowhere. All of those GM concepts were sent there to rest, never to be offered to the public, etc. I imagine perhaps only the CEO, VP's would have any access to any such vehicle. I have seen some concept vehicles being tested though, covered up like in the spy photos in Popular Mechanics mag. Anyhow, that is all I have to say about that... Roberto |
RVR OVR (Tom)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 04:07 pm: |
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Much don't, some make it from concept to production, but only with hints of the original concept, and others go full boar into production.
Some way out there cars that come to mind that were very similar in both concept and production phase are:
Dodge Viper
Plymouth Prowler
PT Cruiser
Volkswagen New Beetle
When the Dodge Viper first came on the scene, they had no real production plans. Then interest was so high and people were so hot on getting them, that Dodge decided to start taking orders. Many people laid down thier deposits and so came the Viper.
Now, the others listed may be cheating, as I think after the first experience the Prowler and Cruiser were sort of planned for production from the get go for than just as a concept. These helped revive Chrysler products back into the mainstream marketplace when it was all but dead.
Sorry, I read a lot of auto magazines through the 80's and early 90's, so a lot of that is what I remember and can regirgitate.
Tom |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 06:50 pm: |
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And the FJ-40 isn't trying to be a Jeep? 
No one really seemed to like the FJ-45 much and they are panned only slightly more than the FJ-55s.
I personally would like an old FJ-40 without the new mods. Otherwise I'd just go buy a Wrangler.
Gotta like this 45 though. I think they're purdy trucks.
pwc |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 06:54 pm: |
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Ops.
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Brad
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 09:58 pm: |
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What about that vehicle that goodyear has on all of its ads with the mud terrain tires I like that thing. Are they going to make that |
my96disco (Trevorh)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 10:41 pm: |
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Remember the concept defender from late last year or first thing this year. I'll take one of those.
TrevorH |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 11:50 pm: |
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Brad,
It's a Ford.......
http://www.4x44u.com/Features/BFG2001/4uftbfgterrainosaurposter.jpg
-L |
Tripp
| | Posted on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 02:20 pm: |
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The Toyota you posted is a one-off project created by Steve Millen (of Stillen Motorsports). It was NOT a Toyota project. He built it for fun basically.
I hear it's also got one hell of a motor under the hood.
Cheers.
T- |
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