The car dealerships near Santa Ana tell us that concept cars are not a new phenomenon. As a matter of fact, they have been around for quite some time now. The sales associates of the new and used cars serving Santa Ana tell us that the whole point of concept cars was to show off the new styling and the use of new technology. Also, a lot of the concept cars were entirely designed to feature where car development could be in the future and display the brand’s determination to bring something different to the public.
Even though many concept cars were not completely developed for the roads, car companies used them to test the market and examine customer reactions. Whenever there was a universally positive reaction from the market. The car company would usually develop the concept car further into a fully functional vehicle. Case in point, way back in the ‘60s, Toyota had a similar situation with their concept cars.
For instance, the car dealerships near Santa Ana say that the 1962 Toyota Publica Sports was one of the early Japanese concept cars that debuted on the Tokyo Motor Show. It mirrored a sports car vision that eventually became something real and known as the Toyota Sports 800.
One-of-a-kind and very futuristic looking, the 1962 Publica Sports turned heads at the show and at a distance. At the moment, the car dealerships near Santa Ana are going to look at it at a closer level and show us some intriguing facts about Toyota vehicles from the ‘60s.
The History Of The 1962 Toyota Publica Sports Concept
After the release of the futuristic sports car concept, there was the production of the actual Toyota Publica, even though it looked very little like it. The small car from the Japanese car company was initially supposed to be a family car and combined with other modern models. It was manufactured in a range of two-door designs on the sedan base and made for a coupe, a coupe utility, station wagon, and a convertible from 1961 and 1978.
In contrast, the Toyota Publica Sport has a cutting-edge style to demonstrate the future possibilities. It launched on the ninth Tokyo Motor Show in 1962, the year that witnessed the increasing public interest in automobiles. Beyond a million visitors and 284 exhibitors attended the show with the wish to get a glimpse of the next thing to come next in the industry that developed quickly after World War II. Toyota was a car company that was ready to provide time-worthy ideas.
The Publica Sports Design
Although the Publica was a two-door car, it provided the ideal base. Also, the Publica Sports was a compact car that was different from its ancestors because it was designed for sports and fun. It showcased Toyota’s dedication to delving into the post-war market with a brand new lineup of vehicles that would be more appropriate to young buyers.
The 1962 Toyota Publica Sports was equipped with a standard Publica chassis and a compact engine in a more elegant and sportier body. It featured just two seats and a sliding canopy to allow for entry. The closed cockpit design was very breaking new ground for the 1960s, offering a straightforward entrance and exit for passengers.
An individual can easily get in and out of the Publica Sports without having to bother with the doors. This design solution might be a nuisance for some drivers during their everyday commutes, but ultimately, Publica Sports was not meant for that intention in the first place. It did not even get on the road as a concept car.
Seeing that the 1952 Toyota Publica Sports got a lot of heads turning at the Tokyo Motor Show, the production version happened three years later. The Toyota Sports 800 was the first sports car that was ever manufactured at the Japanese automobile manufacturer’s assembly lines. It was lightweight and had a stronger engine which was a 790 cc that produced 45 horsepower. Also, it was a road-ready vehicle that was a thrill to drive.
Eventually, the Toyota Sports 800 renewed the sliding canopy traditional doors whether some buyers liked it or not. However, it kept the removable roof panel, which topped off its design. In the long run, the Sports 800 seriously looked like the Publica Sports and provided more power and functionality to handle the road.
Where Did Toyota Move On To After The Publica Sports Concept Car?
Toyota was very active with concept cars from 1935 to 1962, and this included the A1, the Sport X, the Sports, the Airport Limousine, and the X. After the Publica Sports debuted three Corona concept models and the big EX lineup stood out more. All these and the newer concept cars were produced to feature Toyota’s development and determination toward anticipating market needs and making the best contemporary vehicles.
Now, it has been over 85 years since the first fully developed Toyota concept car was launched at the Tokyo Motor Show. Still, the Japanese car company goes on to work toward the same purpose. This is an opportunity to see some amazing new designs after the recent technology improvement, such as the LQ, the BEV, the e-Palette, and the i-Road. Therefore, the 1962 Toyota Publica Sports has had many succeeding generations, and it will be no surprise that there will be even more in the years to come.
When dealing with concept project realization, Toyota brought out some new designs similar to the sports 800. The future vehicles at the time, such as the Sequoia, bZ4X, the Tundra Capstone, and the Mirai, are already prepared to conquer the road and make a path for the future.