In our recent 1984 Dodge Caravan Curbside Classic, we explored the origins of the minivan. The question as to who first penned the modern FWD people mover is a bit of thorny one, and one which has been argued endlessly. In that CC, I gave credit to Rootes (later Chrysler Europe) designer Fergus Pollock for his work in developing a van project that eventually ended up at Renault as the 1984 Espace. I thought I made it pretty clear that his work was specifically on a one-box approach, and that I had given him due credit for that, whereas Ital Design’s Megagamma had the vestigial hood that ended up on the 1981 Nssan Prairie/Stanza Wagon and the Chrysler minivans. But designers are (rightfully) a sensitive and protective bunch, and I got a rather terse e-mail from Mr. Pollock setting the record (somewhat) straight(er). (Read More…)
Tagged as Chrysler, dodge caravan, espace, fergus pollock, megagamma, minivans
Recent Comments
bigtruckseriesreview @ Youtube - The XJ-L is only worth the length over the XJ if you ride with rear seat passengers or happen to be very tall (like me) and put your seat...
bigtruckseriesreview @ Youtube - When I see the police using weapons against workers, I think to myself: “When will the USAF’s Active denial System become...
CJinSD - Isn’t your argument in favor of closing the market and then equitably distributing goods the product of zero sum game thinking? You asked why we need...
heyandyg - Brendan, Where have you been?? It seems as though months have passed since you last wrote. The light at TTAC shines much more brightly when...
Scoutdude - So many of those statements would apply to the Panthers, except the one about being called a Bogan, with the Panthers you’d be called out for...
raph - Probably, but if somebody were to go to that extent, I think a very substantial redesign would be in order which would be a great time to address...
Pete Zaitcev - They could’ve retained TJ’s hinges easily, the curve is not that bad. They only switched to the center...
CJinSD - Cristal and Hot Pockets had me cackling. It also sounds like a direct reference to a Kanye West episode of Cribs. No, he can’t crack the...
JaySeis - Auspicious start but I soon drifted off. The masters of the U are hard at work in Seoul and wouldn’t drop a dime on such EU sausage.
raph - Thanks for the history lesson olddavid, I never knew about Harry Bennett, very interesting character.