Wild and wacky vehicles filled every corner of the 2023 New York International Auto Show. Here are five of our favorites.
Toyota Land Cruiser pickup
Forget about the new Toyota Grand Highlander, this bizarre looking Toyota Land Cruiser garnered more attention. Australia’s Patriot Campers transformed this pickup truck into a rugged off-roading machine that means business. Powering this Land Cruiser’s 79 Series is a 4.5-litre V8 turbocharged diesel engine mated to a four-wheel-drive system. The custom flares, two light bars, tow bar and X-Ray vision quad-optic LED driving lights can’t be missed. The inside has vintage touches including bench leather seats the colour of caramel.
Australia’s Patriot Campers transformed this Toyota Land Cruiser pickup.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The inside has vintage touches including bench seats covered in caramel-coloured coated leather.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
It’s-Got-Everything-Van from Brooklyn Campervans
This is no ordinary RV – this is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van turned smart home. This customized version comes courtesy of Brooklyn Campervans. Dubbed the “It’s-Got-Everything-Van,” it’s a beautifully and thoughtfully crafted and well-designed van with all the comforts of home. Inside, it has air conditioning, satellite internet, a shower, toilet, kitchen, home-theatre system and a roof-top solar deck for lounging and enjoying the great outdoors. While the Sprinter van costs about US$80,000, to retrofit and add these extra conveniences the price rings in at close to US$200,000 and it takes 11 weeks to custom build.
To retrofit and add the extra conveniences brings the price tag close to US$200,000 for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van turned smart home.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The van has air conditioning, satellite internet, a shower, toilet, kitchen, home-theatre system and a roof-top solar deck.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Hardman Label SUV
Look closely – under the bold, black body of this monstrous vehicle beats the heart and body of a Ford F-150 pickup truck. It even has Ford’s legendary 3.5-litre Ecoboost V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. But at 3,500 kilograms, it weighs more than a regular F-150 and comes with distinct styling features including sharp angles and massive wheels reminiscent of a Tesla Cybertruck. While it’s designed for off-roading, inside it’s fit for a king and very luxurious. It has two sculped plush leather rear seats and a widescreen TV. This made-to-order Hardman Label SUV is designed and manufactured in the U.S. for a hefty price tag of US$200,000.
The Hardman Label SUV comes with distinct styling features including sharp angles and massive wheels reminiscent of a Tesla Cybertruck.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The vehicle has two sculped plush leather rear seats and a widescreen TV.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Hardman G-Mac
Hardman didn’t stop with the F-150 pickup truck – it turned this Toyota 4Runner SUV into something unrecognizable. This Hardman G-Mac with a brash, brown military-like body will stop traffic in the streets. Powered by a 270-horsepower, four-litre V6, it has a curb weight of 2,621 kilograms. Inside, it’s not as conservative as a regular 4Runner. It is daring, bold and somewhat tacky with an unusual brown and golden colour combination that appears on every surface from the front seats to the multifunction steering wheel. But the two rear seats are luxurious, spacious and super comfortable – even if you’re more than 6-feet tall, you’ll have legroom and headroom to spare.
The Hardman G-Mac's brash, brown military-like body will stop traffic in the streets.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The inside has an unusual brown and golden colour combination that appears on every surface.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
DMC DeLorean
This replica DMC DeLorean is synonymous with the Back to the Future film franchise. This model is retrofitted to match the original in the movies. The two-passenger sports car comes complete with its iconic massive gull-wing doors and everything needed to time travel including a flux capacitor. Now, this DeLorean and the blockbuster film series go from the big screen to Broadway. It’ll take centre stage in the upcoming show, Back to the Future – the Musical hitting New York City this summer.
A replica DMC DeLorean that has been retrofitted to match the original in the Back to the Future movies.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail