@@MultiSkyman1 FYI, there's a late 1970s tv movie (U.S.) out there, somewhere where a detective, played by a 70s-80s period comedian, is working a murder case in "the 1990s". The detective prefers the lifestyles of the 70s, 60s, 50s... & shows some disdain for the "80s", "90s." The movie is set in the fictionalized 1990s.
Very true. We can't help seeing the future through the lens of the present. The reverse is true as well - how we see the past depends on when we look back at it.
I think the Prancer was the ideal choice. I bet the unitron never had an electrically rotating driver's seat or the built-in electrical extension lead for charging, or the twin petrol fillers Prancer all the way!!!
Looks kind of great. Some vibes of Pacer and GMC 6wheeler. Design was sleek, friendly, airy back than. Lightyears away from todays sad boxy dark aggressive era of trucks and SUVs...
I'll never get why companies don't have any balls to make a concept car from the past! There's at least hundreds of completely beautiful and/or genius designs, which would impact the market in a huge way
The Unitron reminds me a bit of the Dodge Deora in layout, but with more conventional, side doors instead of the front clamshell door where the steering wheel also had to move to allow entry. Thanks for sharing this with us; this is the first I've ever heard of this concept car. 59th like.
@@retrocarchannel I tend to agree. The Brubaker Box looks contemporary even today, as well as its height making it more practical than either the Unitron or the Deora. I can almost imagine a 21st Century version with a Tesla drivetrain.
Just watched the Short video about the Deora / Deora II vehicle. Made from an existing Dodge van, and the car that was produced was one of a kind. It wasn't put into production. Cool car
The Deora was actually produced by a team at Dodge around 1965 and looked quite similar, but was basically a pickup truck. The original sold at auction in 2009 for $325k!!
Sometimes, it makes me mad when I see a concept that did not become a reality in its day, so close and yet nothing but a rendering. And thanks, Retro Car, for the history lesson.
My Dad had a calendar (1963?) that had a different 'dream car' for each month. Futuristic 'concept cars', including the Unitron. All I remember was they had fins, bubble canopies and lots of chrome. Alas, the Ford Nucleon was not featured.
I want to drive this car simply for the enjoyment and publicity. It looks so futuristic Jetsons, yet so archaic. This should have been the RV for National Lampoon's vacation movie.
It’s pretty cool, but a production version wouldn’t have looked anything like it. It would definitely sit much higher and the front overhang would have to be reduced greatly. And the top would have to be higher if a rear engine was to be used, unless it was going to be a pickup only. Since the bed height would have to high enough to clear the rear engine. Plus Ford would have to develop a boxer/horizontally opposed engine, doubtful a V8 or inline engine would work. A more practical (or at least easier) design would have the engine in between the front seats like the A100 and Ford Econoline vans/trucks from the early 60s.
True, but I could see a modern BEV version as electric motors are quite small and could even be hub motors and the long wheelbase would allow a large battery pack. Electric motors also require less maintenance so access only by a car lift would be suitable. An extendable tent roof would probable not be so sleek but such roofs do exist. The exceptional low height look would have to be more optical illusion than actual low height. The cab being forward of the front steering wheels is more a matter of driver training and if omnidirectional or mecham wheels are used, this could be compensated by computers to behave like conventional steering, complex four wheel steering could also meet the expectations of more conventional steering, mind you we've seen the consequences of mimicking older vehicle behaviours by software with the Boeing 737 Max, sometimes it's best to actually know the true behaviour of what you're driving... The cab forward design would really be more of a safety concern for the lack of a crumple zone than a handling behaviour concern as drivers are quite adaptable.
1:06 With laser scanning and other techniques, you could re-create this by scanning the images in this video and doing some CAD work. Imagine showing up at your Cars & Coffee with the completed vehicle! While you are at it, put a nice big V-8 engine into it.
Reminds me of my grandparents’ 1970s Vista Cruizer. The back could open upwards, downwards, or sideways. It was very roomy, and you could put a LOT in the back, including us grandkids without any seatbelts, or lumber, or a full bunk bed set. It also had lots of seating in front and back seats. You could fit a huge family in one, like the Brady Bunch. I would love to see a variation built of this, true to the non-digital and shapely design.
Perhaps if they had developed an actual drivetrain they might have made a lot more progress towards a production vehicle. Thanks for sharing! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🚘
Marry this design to a modern, reliable engine and drivetrain and I'd happily drive one of these. I wonder if this imspired the Hot Wheels Heavyweights series of diecasts. Similar-looking cockpit, similar low-slung body with a variety of different bodies.
Today, something like this would probably sell, it does have an interesting look to it, if it was available today even I would be tempted to get into one. Nice cross country rig.
I saw a car similar to that a few years back. It was like an updated 80's version of the Unitron. I could determine the maker, but something in the design hinted it was made by Ford or Merkur.
I think it looks awesome. Would have required though I suppose Ford to develop a flat opposed engine, which I don't believe they had. In the end its not too far from their vans, which were just taller, and they did make campers, pretty good ones.
Personally I love it! Retro futurism!
Yeah, me too! I like weird 70's futurism movies too! (Logan's Run etc.)
So many possibilities. But like the presenter said, definitely needs a lift on it.
@@MultiSkyman1 right?!
Future retro-ism.
@@MultiSkyman1 FYI, there's a late 1970s tv movie (U.S.) out there, somewhere where a detective, played by a 70s-80s period comedian, is working a murder case in "the 1990s". The detective prefers the lifestyles of the 70s, 60s, 50s... & shows some disdain for the "80s", "90s." The movie is set in the fictionalized 1990s.
I love how futuristic ideas always look exactly like the time they were created in.
Very true. We can't help seeing the future through the lens of the present.
The reverse is true as well - how we see the past depends on when we look back at it.
@@TheRealLaughingGravy Mind blown.
the present is also completely different depending on when you live it.
@@dreamsthatgotogether7553 The past, present AND future are all completely synchronous when viewed through the lens of me when I'm there.
Synced up to the MAX.
I would LOVE to cruise around in one of those!
Even though they were short in headroom for an RVthey would be really cool looking airport limos
Looks better than what is being made now.
Now, that's the car the Griswold's should have had in National Lampoons Vacation.
I was thinking the same thing before I started the video
The perfect comment to describe this vehicle. Well done.
"Roll 'em up!"
I think the Prancer was the ideal choice. I bet the unitron never had an electrically rotating driver's seat or the built-in electrical extension lead for charging, or the twin petrol fillers
Prancer all the way!!!
With fake wood grain of course. And huge Ben Hur hubcaps.
Looks kind of great. Some vibes of Pacer and GMC 6wheeler. Design was sleek, friendly, airy back than. Lightyears away from todays sad boxy dark aggressive era of trucks and SUVs...
We are going back to the tall bulky cars of the 1940s.
@@frankgraham1996 Yes. But clearly and sadly without any beauty of them...
Got a little CyberTruck in there too.
You can see similarities in the original Renault Espace from 1984.
and mid 70s clamshell wagon
I'll never get why companies don't have any balls to make a concept car from the past!
There's at least hundreds of completely beautiful and/or genius designs, which would impact the market in a huge way
AMC Pacer. No one has ever made another car like that, before or since.
@@davidlafleche1142 Which can be said for every vehicle.
@@frequentlycynical642 At least it wasn't a clone, like all the GM, Ford and Chrysler models have always been.
That looked like a pre converted Oscar Meyer Weiner mobile.
The Vienna Sausage mobile! lol!
It looks like a 60s version of a minivan.
A maxi-van
2060’s maybe?
sport`s -van,
My little Toyota Previa ™️ found her Mom 😎
@@slimshady6359 Both are not Minivans, They are both in fact true SUVs. RWD on truck platforms. Signed-Richard.
This vehicle is beautiful. I can see elements of my favorite T-bird of '61 thru '63.
The Unitron reminds me a bit of the Dodge Deora in layout, but with more conventional, side doors instead of the front clamshell door where the steering wheel also had to move to allow entry. Thanks for sharing this with us; this is the first I've ever heard of this concept car. 59th like.
Thank you so much for the great comment and helpful information. It also reminded me of the Brubaker Box 1972-1979
@@retrocarchannel I tend to agree. The Brubaker Box looks contemporary even today, as well as its height making it more practical than either the Unitron or the Deora. I can almost imagine a 21st Century version with a Tesla drivetrain.
Just watched the Short video about the Deora / Deora II vehicle. Made from an existing Dodge van, and the car that was produced was one of a kind. It wasn't put into production. Cool car
@@modelermark172 Why would you wish it to be junk? Loony.
1:01 In that view the vehicle reminds me very much of the "Moon Rocket Bus" in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Looked cool though
She's such a beauty 😍 perfect family car for family of eight or more, I feel like I'm lost in space 😂
Love to have that L I S Chariot
@@silvershield2342 That was a modified Sno-Cat.
Nice looking hearse.
That pickup would have been interesting to see!
It seems to me I had a hot wheels car that looked a lot like this one version in this video
your hot wheels was the dodge deora.
Gold with little plastic surfboards i bet.@@generaldissaray4109
@@generaldissaray4109 That was it! thnx
The Deora was actually produced by a team at Dodge around 1965 and looked quite similar, but was basically a pickup truck. The original sold at auction in 2009 for $325k!!
Still looks good today.
It looks great... and even futuristic today!
Looks like it belongs in Disney's "World of Tomorrow" by the modular home.
I agree, it was too short. It's more like a futuristic station wagon.
That place is kinda creepy..very fallout ish .
What's interesting is that you can see many styling cues from this concept vehicle in the Falcon van and truck, especially the mid-engine arrangement.
That design was probably the inspiration for the "Chariot" on the sci-fi tv show lost in space.
That looks dope AF! I'd drive it to the beach every chance I had.
1:03 - thats PURE jetsons look right there
I hope that fiberglass version is still around.
I want a Unitron. If they made them today, they would be a phenomenal success.
Today they're called Cybertrucks 😁
@@Malaika924 Cybertruck: Ugly as homemade sin !
Lost in space meets Vacation
Looks like something that should have been part of Lost in Space “Chariot ATV”
If you think you hate it now, wait till you drive it. - Eugene Levy.
I owned, and lived/traveled in a 1974 gmc motorhome… it was fun to drive… just like a car
I would buy this vehicle. With a good paint job and the right interior design it would be awesome.
Pay for a human voice over please.
omg, yes…and please RETIRE this overused voice…
So fed up with this sound
You pay for it, it’s the same info either way…… I want it in the voice of Sean Connery!!!!!!
Pierce Brosnan from goldeneye era
I hate AI voices... Anything would be better even Fran Dressler would be better than AI
@@slimshady6359😂😂😂
It looks like the Deora!
I would buy that today.
Cool, they should design iconic shapes again.
God bless.
Sometimes, it makes me mad when I see a concept that did not become a reality in its day, so close and yet nothing but a rendering. And thanks, Retro Car, for the history lesson.
I’d love to have one of those today!
I love the design, looks way better than anything made today. Styling today is nearly non existant.
The blind spot to sideview mirror ratio on this car is making my head spin.
Let enough time go by for a concept to marinate and ferment, and look how cool it is 60 years later.
Nothing like an AI voice talking about a futuristic concept car.
😂
This is the first time I ever heard of or saw that concept car. Nice idea, and beautiful lines, but it really does look impractical. Good video.
My Dad had a calendar (1963?) that had a different 'dream car' for each month.
Futuristic 'concept cars', including the Unitron.
All I remember was they had fins, bubble canopies and lots of chrome.
Alas, the Ford Nucleon was not featured.
a bubble canopy is all I want in life. I wish someone would make one work. I have an NA Miata that would be a good candidate for one.
Ford did predict the future with this one. Status symbol looks over practicality is a strong trend in modern cars / suvs / trucks as well.
❤ "Beautiful!" ❤
Wow ! A George Jetson station wagon. How cool is that. . . .
I like concept cars their designs are always interestng.
I want to drive this car simply for the enjoyment and publicity. It looks so futuristic Jetsons, yet so archaic. This should have been the RV for National Lampoon's vacation movie.
I drew similar shapes for vehicles as a kid in the early 80's.
I'm absolutely in love with this voice. I really mean it. So clearly articulated. 🎉
"Vice president of styling"? That was a thing? Cool!
Very interesting, 1961 we where in the space race explains the rocket feeling look.
0:43 here it seems to have front engine and rear wheel drive.
I like the amount of interior space. Like the VW bus. But with more style.
I would even buy it today. Looks kind of cool.
It’s pretty cool, but a production version wouldn’t have looked anything like it. It would definitely sit much higher and the front overhang would have to be reduced greatly. And the top would have to be higher if a rear engine was to be used, unless it was going to be a pickup only. Since the bed height would have to high enough to clear the rear engine. Plus Ford would have to develop a boxer/horizontally opposed engine, doubtful a V8 or inline engine would work. A more practical (or at least easier) design would have the engine in between the front seats like the A100 and Ford Econoline vans/trucks from the early 60s.
Thanks so much for the great comment and helpful information.
True, but I could see a modern BEV version as electric motors are quite small and could even be hub motors and the long wheelbase would allow a large battery pack. Electric motors also require less maintenance so access only by a car lift would be suitable. An extendable tent roof would probable not be so sleek but such roofs do exist. The exceptional low height look would have to be more optical illusion than actual low height. The cab being forward of the front steering wheels is more a matter of driver training and if omnidirectional or mecham wheels are used, this could be compensated by computers to behave like conventional steering, complex four wheel steering could also meet the expectations of more conventional steering, mind you we've seen the consequences of mimicking older vehicle behaviours by software with the Boeing 737 Max, sometimes it's best to actually know the true behaviour of what you're driving... The cab forward design would really be more of a safety concern for the lack of a crumple zone than a handling behaviour concern as drivers are quite adaptable.
Yeah; I think it just needs to be scaled up with a roof height about 10 inches higher.
@@jamesengland7461
I wouldn't go that high, but maybe another 4 inches would help without affecting the style too much.
@jamesengland7461 yes, then today we could "chop" it and make it look just like this one.😊
What a beauty !
That thing looks awesome, like a family limo, stunning 👍
Snazzy, as the old folks say!
Looks like a great "adultery wagon." 😉
I love those rocket ports on the rear! So cool.
I think it looks futuristic *except* for the "rocket ports", which look more 1950s-ish to me.
You can still see this vehicle design in every AIRPORT 😎
Oh, man! I’d love to have one! 👍
This seems to have been one of the inspirations behind the Honda _Kiwami_ concept.
Very much ahead of its time!
That's one cool Mini-Van
I love that it looks like it’s moving even when it’s stood still.
Wow, if they released that today it would sell out. Be amazing as a car camper
I would drive this thing every dang day
Thats kind of a cool, futuristic car! Wish an interior view was available!
This could totally be our bands BroodX Mobile!
The hunt is on. :))
I am a robot and I love this video humans.
I think I now know where Hot Wheels (Mattel) came up with the Deora design as one of their original 16 models in 1967.
Beautiful, just beautiful!
Nice ! That is now feasible as a BEV : One major issue i see is crash safety with such forward cockpit....no crushing zone to protect le ankles/legs
1:06 With laser scanning and other techniques, you could re-create this by scanning the images in this video and doing some CAD work. Imagine showing up at your Cars & Coffee with the completed vehicle! While you are at it, put a nice big V-8 engine into it.
I would buy that today. Looks so cool and futuristic
Almost looks like the "Chariot" from the "Lost in Space" TV show from the 60s
Reminds me of my grandparents’ 1970s Vista Cruizer. The back could open upwards, downwards, or sideways. It was very roomy, and you could put a LOT in the back, including us grandkids without any seatbelts, or lumber, or a full bunk bed set. It also had lots of seating in front and back seats. You could fit a huge family in one, like the Brady Bunch.
I would love to see a variation built of this, true to the non-digital and shapely design.
This looks like something that Will Robinson , the Robot, and Dr. Smith could have been tooling around in on Lost in Space.
1:00 That's one ygly car. a Ghostbusters mini-van? - I'ts so ugly, you have to love it.
Reminds me of a Hot Wheel’s Deora from the 1960’s 😌😌
Perhaps if they had developed an actual drivetrain they might have made a lot more progress towards a production vehicle.
Thanks for sharing!
Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🚘
I'm amused they mention the GMC motor home because I was just thinking this looked like a squashed version of it :D
I had a hot wheel that looked like that called the Deora, now I know where they got the idea from (half a century later).
It looks like something Syd Mead would do. Elegantly simple.
Love it . Wild .
I wish the Cybertruck was the futuristic recreational vehicle I've never seen, but alas, here we are.
Marry this design to a modern, reliable engine and drivetrain and I'd happily drive one of these.
I wonder if this imspired the Hot Wheels Heavyweights series of diecasts. Similar-looking cockpit, similar low-slung body with a variety of different bodies.
I love it! Shame they didn't manufacture it.
nice, this is what you should do with concept cars, see if concepts work
Hell of a lot better looking than the Cybertruck.
I'd buy one....
Today, something like this would probably sell, it does have an interesting look to it, if it was available today even I would be tempted to get into one. Nice cross country rig.
Wow! American Fiat Multipla.
Looks great
I saw a car similar to that a few years back. It was like an updated 80's version of the Unitron. I could determine the maker, but something in the design hinted it was made by Ford or Merkur.
I think it looks awesome. Would have required though I suppose Ford to develop a flat opposed engine, which I don't believe they had. In the end its not too far from their vans, which were just taller, and they did make campers, pretty good ones.
Ford should have invested more time and money into this project. This design was way ahead of it's time. 🧐
nah someone gotta built a road worthy one of these things its awesome !
It's the Pacer's Mothership!
That thing is f*kn cool!