9. Toyota EX-III
Year of Manufacture: 1969Estimated
Price: Not disclosedOld
concept cars from the past are interesting to look at as they often represent how people in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s imagined today's era. The Toyota EX III was just such a concept car, debuting at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1969.
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The Toyota EX-III is a revolutionary concept car that debuted at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show. The vehicle holds an important place in the history of automotive design, as it is a clear expression of how people at the time imagined the car of the future.
The EX-III was the culmination of the EX series that came before it. This series was developed by Toyota to explore the possibilities of future automotive technology and design. The EX-III was larger than its predecessor and featured a body design that pursued the ultimate in aerodynamic performance. The
most eye-catching feature of the EX-III is its innovative exterior design. The long bonnet, sleek body lines, and steeply sloping rear end give the impression of a spaceship. Of particular note is the bumper-less design, which was revolutionary for the time. This gives the entire car a seamless unity, successfully reducing air resistance to the limit. The
EX-III's low stance was also designed to pursue stability at high speeds. At the time, the construction of expressway networks was underway in Japan, and the design was designed with future high-speed driving in mind.
Toyota did not release details about the EX-III's powertrain, but the huge exhaust pipe at the rear suggested that it would be equipped with a gas turbine engine. Gas turbine engines were attracting attention as a next-generation power source for automobiles from the 1960s to the 1970s. With its characteristics of high output and low vibration, it was expected to be an engine suitable for the future era of high-speed driving.
The interior of the EX-III also attracted attention with its futuristic design. It was equipped with extremely advanced elements for the time, such as a driver's seat reminiscent of an aircraft cockpit, digital instruments, and ergonomic seat design. The
year 1969, when this concept car was announced, was also the year that mankind landed on the moon for the first time. The progress of space development gave people great dreams and hopes at the time, which also influenced automobile design. The design of the EX-III strongly reflects the atmosphere of the times. Although the
EX-III did not directly lead to mass-produced models, its innovative design concepts and technical ideas had a major impact on the development of Toyota's subsequent vehicles. For example, the idea of body design that emphasized aerodynamic performance was utilized in the development of later high-performance cars and eco-cars.
The development of concept cars such as the EX-III was also an important way to promote Toyota's technological and design capabilities. This enabled Toyota to establish an image as not just a mass-market car manufacturer, but an innovative automobile manufacturer with an eye on the future.
Today, the EX-III is an indispensable part of the history of automobile design. Its bold, futuristic design continues to fascinate many people even after more than half a century, and continues to inspire automotive designers and enthusiasts. The EX-III is deeply etched in automotive history as an important cultural icon that embodies the image of the automobile of the future that people of the past envisioned.
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