Toyota RV-2 1972

Toyota RV-2 1972 by Autocult

A new Path that was not entered  

A very unusual interpretation of a camper vehicle was presented at Toyota’s exhibition stands in 1972 and 1973.   The exhibition areas of the Japanese manufacturer at the ‘Tokyo Motor Show’ in October 1972, at the Dutch fair ‘RAI’ in February 1973, and at the ‘New York international Auto Show’ in April 1973 featured a passenger car that at first sight looked like a very sporty, flat designed and above all long-drawn station wagon. With a total length of 4.6 meters, the visual impression was quite consistent with the actual dimensions. At the rear of the vehicle, two elongated windows gave view into the interior. Windows of the same size could be also found at the roof of the car. The coup that these large windows served was only recognizable when the two side parts after the front seats were folded up towards the side just above the wheel houses and hinged aside. The now upwardly open space could be covered with a matching cloth so that a well-ventilated tent was formed on the chassis of the Toyota. It was quickly clear to the spectators of the exhibition vehicle that this type of fully integrated camping facility in a passenger car in this form never existed before. But this was only the external conversion of the passenger car to a camper. Once folded up and hinged aside two full-grown men were able to find their bed in the rear and two more beds for the night were provided via the complete folding of the two front seats. It was also possible to fit a table in the rear area and last but not least the seats and the table could also be removed from the car. As a further finesse, the rear door, which could be folded out downwards, served as a great device for an easy entry and exit of the car. To the chagrin of many visitors, the exhibited – fully functional – camper station wagon never received the blessing to go into series production.   Exhibited under the abbreviation RV-2 at the fairs, the car was an optical mixture of the Toyota type Mark II and type Crown and was larger than the RV-1.