This must be countless number of hours which us petrol-heads spent contemplating on our dream car garage while being kids and I'm sure most of us still do. Earlier those used to be posters and magazines that inspired, today perhaps inspiration is found in browsing, following vloggers, gaming or watching various series of racing. Some of us grow up from this understanding that dreaming is not enough, and actual doing, well, basically in a form of earning, is needed in order to get anywhere closer to turning any of those dreams to reality. But is it really so? This has always confused me, but if you start chasing your dream, doesn't this mean that we turn our dream into our goal? And in today's world full of influencers we all know the power of seeking one's personal goals. Let's look at this objectively, if it's the car that is your personal goal, once we're there being old enough to actually be able to drive one or being successful enough to actually be able to afford subject of our dreaming, market proposition will be completely different. What seemed to be your dream back then, is few generations old preposition today. If it was a supercar then, most chances are that it's a super rare piece of classics today worth times more value of kidney usual human being has. Let's admit, with few exceptions of really strong strikes combined with fortune, realistically one will not own a dream car of the past.
This is where I'm heading. Dream cars are supposed to remain dream cars. And joy of dreaming should not be mixed with listing down the goals and chasing them until they are reached. Cars we buy for our hearts and souls should bring joy and definitely be the ones we want and possibly even work hard to be able to afford. This all adds to appreciation, excitement or even pride. But when making real world decision today, why be bound by something from that long ago. This will not be betrayal of your dream. On the contrary, this is securing one as our dream.
My Dream Car
This is easy for me.
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My dream car is and will always be a dream car due to a very simple reason - it has never been produced. Toyota RSC (rugged sport coupe) is purely design concept which was never intended to be developed to an actual car. This 3 door SUV concept from Toyota (Calty (see below) was first shown at Chicago Auto Show on February, 2001. 17 years have passed since then and I still think this design is striking, especially side / rear angles, as front to my eye has slightly aged, not to mention the interior. However what I love about it the most, is the concept - rugged as the name suggests, bold and daring with exposed details and function. Although concept was based on RAV4, I imagine it more of a size of Land Cruiser to give it more significant stance, I truly think this design would work in a bigger scale. Wish Toyota threw in some respective power plant of at least 6 cylinders and made those scoops functional as this perhaps meant forced induction, I don't mind that. Perhaps torque would suit the character of such car. Concept even had the sequential gearbox shifter! Of course this wouldn't have made to production, though. 4wd is a must.
Anything Similar in the New Car Market Today?
I keep contemplating on this quite a lot. Well, of course not as this would most probably mean breach of industrial design rights, but let's see what could get close.
Concept wise we should be looking at something from "race car for the road" league which becomes challenging once we combine it with the necessary ruggedness and 4 wheel drive. The only alternative I come down to that could be conceptually close is the Bowler, perhaps established conversion specialists at Arctic Trucks could reduce the bill slightly, but both are conversion solutions, not original manufacturers.
Looking at this from the layout's perspective I think 3 door Jeep Wrangler could be a close call. Land Rover Defender 90 could have been a close call as it had foldable rear seats making this similar to non-existing ones in RSC, leaving exposed floor for storage. But both lack on power department and latter is not yet replaced.
What I believe could have been close to if judged by functional design, it's Toyota's own FJ cruiser, sadly discontinued too. It provided on the power department, basically was of the similar layout, rugged and prioritized function over luxury. I would not compare RSC with anything like regular Mitsubishi Pajero, already mentioned Toyota Land Cruiser, discontinued Mini Paceman. Even though all are three door, they simply are not special enough.
Interesting proposition comes from Land Rover Evoque 3 door. Yes, it's too premium, even most powerful versions do not fulfill expectations raised by its design, but you can't argue both would be chosen with style in mind.
About Calty
Design concept of Toyota RSC was created by Calty Design Research Incorporated, Toyota's own design studio in USA established in 1973. I counted over 40 Toyota and Lexus designs Calty has contributed to by providing proposals both on exteriors and interiors, most recent being 2018 Camry, 2013 Avalon and 2013 Lexus GS interior.
Initially I intended this blog to be short, but once started writing, apparently had many thoughts. Perhaps dreamed too much and for too long. So, what is your dream car?
I repect you a lot for this article, I have not seen one of these before such an interesting design, thanks for bringing it to my attention as I havent seen it before, I like it lot (except for the front syling they could work on the headlights a bit but I guess its an old design now)
I really like that this is your dream car and not some generic supercar that could never be attained by a regular guy. Also brave to dream about something that is just a concept.
There is a company called local motors in the US they do a thing called the rally fighter, although the design is not as good as this, its something you may want to check out as it might allow you to get close to your dream of owning this car.
Thanks @gyro for such sincere comment of yours! I will definitely go check local motors project! Much appreciated.