Toyota builds retro V6 camper
Auto giant turns back the clock with custom-built 'TacoZilla' overland campervanToyota may be focused firmly on the future with a new fleet of hybrid, electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, but it's turned back the clock to create it's latest retro-themed show stopper.
Based on the Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport full-size pick-up and unveiled at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, the Japanese auto giant says its eye-catching 'TacoZilla' truck camper is "a backwoods overlanding-ready 'micro-house' rig that pays tribute to Toyota campers from the ’70s and ’80s".
Designed and built by the Toyota Motorsports Garage with help from local hot rod specialists, the full custom-built campervan features a carefully crafted aluminum-skinned camper body, including a unique 'bent' rear entry door that took more than 100 hours to design.
“We really didn’t want it to look like a refrigerator on the back of a truck, so you’ll see it’s all rounded edges,” explained TMG's Marty Schwerter.
“Our goal was to build a vehicle that is engineered correctly but also made to look really cool,” he said. “Being around race cars my whole life, race cars are cool looking. I want campers to be cool looking, too.”
The team managed to fit the Tacoma’s original rear fender flares onto the camper’s wheel well openings but added two inches of clearance to the standard Tacoma TRD Sport suspension.
The period-style gold wheels are wrapped in 285/70/17 General Tire Grabber X3 all-terrain tires, with a modified TRD snorkel, integrated front bumper winch and Rigid light bar also part of the off-road package.
Other custom touches include a unique fuel tank filler and a second 'house' battery in the engine bay of the Tacoma, which runs a 3.5-litre V6 petrol donk and six-speed manual transmission.
The old-meets-new design theme continues inside the walk-through living area, which incorporates a 1.2m x 1.2m pop-up Lexan skylight, teak sauna-style flooring and TV entertainment, and features an over-cab bed and kitchen with stove and sink, a 3D-printed dining table that converts to a backlit piece of wall art and extra bedding, and a combination shower and cassette toilet.
Texas-based Complete Customs was in charge of the striking retro-themed paint work, which includes a white base coat with accents reminiscent of the vintage yellow, orange and bronze scheme.
Related: World's wildest campervan shows off
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