Cars of the Future - Part 4

Recreational Vehicles

Futures Designs Will See More Specialized Vehicles Stressing Comfort and Safety

American Motors' designers visualize sportsmen of the 1980's and beyond may use a personal car (rear), adaptable for recreational outings or urban-type driving, and a futuristic trailing camping unit.

Recreational vehicles of the future will be more specialized. They will have more built-in conveniences for comfort and luxury. There will be more emphasis on safety. Most of them will likely be dual purpose - designed so they can be used in urban areas in addition to off-the-road activities. There may be a swing toward smaller, lighter dune buggies of the do-it-yourself kit variety, which can be easily hauled in or attached to a family camper, much like a motorcycle. Recreational vehicles will play an increasingly important role in transportation needs in the future because people will have more leisure time as the work week becomes shorter. Some companies have already put the four-day work week into effect. Family campers will be more specialized. Engineers and designers will have a job on their hands as they try to combine comfort, safety, and dual purpose operation while striving to keep the cost of the vehicle within the family budget.

This land cruiser, conceived by Ford research designers, is only slightly larger than a current American sedan, but within the interior are ample facilities for sleeping, cooking, recreation and communication.

 Specialized vehicles for off-the-road activities may include such exotic vehicles as this motorcycle type dune buggy of dragster design with built-in roll bar, as visioned by customizer, George Barris..