It would be kind of like those Freightliner truck-based SUVs; remember those stupid things?
Like that, but going for something smaller and more humble, less opulent and, while still huge, it can fit into a smallish footprint, kind of like a full-grown dog trying to cram itself into a puppy bed. Also, look how incredible the dash area is in these GMC Astros, like the 1972 one I drew over up top there:
Sure, if you want to get handsy with your passenger, this design makes it tough, but you can get these with a bunk in back, so I suppose there’s an opportunity to make up for that in there. If anyone has one of these and is looking for a suitable project, I hereby authorize you to use my sketch there to create a fiberglass hatchback rear for one of these, and come up with the world’s tallest compact hatchback. Semi-truck camper or station wagon would only work for me if it included a complete rework of the suspension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AYsXvrah0 I am thinking a divider than can be closed off to allow the cab to move, open for max hauling. But, that said, there was a great variety of vehicles from pretty much the entire world. Plenty of the usual American and Japanese cars, but also a ton of Korean cars, including brands like Daewoo which barely sold anything stateside and Ssangyong which never sold vehicles in America. I even saw the occasional Indian trucks, and got to drive a Lada Samara. Mercedes of all ages were the most interesting though, there were a TON of classic Mercedes everywhere with many being in surprisingly good shape. BMWs were also all over the place, and lots of them were modified. There were also a handful of Chinese cars here and there. It is the absolute perfect picture of a truck made to bolster poor self image. We’re used to seeing that locomotive style propulsion when they’re trailered, so I always enjoy watching one just take off (combined with the rapid shifting), as if the driver is enjoying the lightness too. Like when your dog tear-asses around the yard after taking a big one. I’ll agree with a previous commenter and recommend an Isuzu crew cab instead- Seating for 7 or swap the back seat for a bunk with all the mod cons and still plenty of cargo space behind the cab. Just asking…for a friend you know. Sauce: had to get my air brake equipped school bus titled and did the research to be safe. I’ll dig it up if you’re interested. So you take your Astro 95, stretch it out to a LWB 6×4 with full air ride, and add a removable aero cover to the fifth wheel receiver that integrates with the body lines of the hatchback. Do your monthly groceries while bobtailing with the cavernous hatch, then hook up 60,000lbs of cargo to go somewhere. And of course, it’s gotta have the 8V92TTA. (Triplecharged – twin turbos AND a blower!) The new Ford Maverick Pickup should of been a cabover pickup. Hell, it hardly turns tighter than some current production F-150s FFS. Cab Over and Cab Forward are both the best automobile layouts. But to completely destroy your faith in humanity, just look up self-built toterhomes. This truck frame bolts together, so I’ll just cut inch thick steel behind the bolts and weld in another section in my backyard. Speaker wire’s good for 12V, so I’ll just hook it up direct to the batteries. And hey, plywood’s structural, right? I mean they use it for the floors so it’s good for walls too obviously!
