Concept Car of the Week: Toyota EX-III (1969)

The Toyota EX-III was presented at the 1969 Tokyo motor show, alongside the EX-I and EX-II concepts. It was by far the most advanced and portrayed a Japanese answer to the American and European dream machines.

Just like its smaller sibling, the EX-1, the mid-engined EX-III was designed 'for the increased safety and comfort that tomorrow's high-speed travel will demand,' said the brochure. On the other side of the spectrum, the little EX-II was a humble two-seater electric commuter.

While most Japanese manufacturers of that era trusted Italian houses like Pininfarina or Bertone to design their cars, the EX-III was created and built in-house at Toyota Research and Design Center, in Toyota City, Japan. This demonstrated Toyota's intention to promote the rising power of the Japanese auto industry.

From its pointy noise to the raked screen and the semi-covered rear wheels, the entire concept's sleek body was shaped to optimize air flow around the car. For its unveiling on the Toyota stand, the concept was presented on stilts, slightly slanted, to show the shear lightness of the car and reveal its smooth and aerodynamic undertray.

Besides is goofy headlamps, it also featured an interesting treatment of its glazed surfaces which connects the front fenders all the way to the rear glass. The graphic is also visually extended to the front wheels thanks to four discrete black gills.

Your author, Flavien Dachet, is a UK-based, French-born car designer. You may know him as the purveyor of KarzNshit, a photo blog that if it isn't already in your bookmarks, it certainly should be.

By Flavien Dachet