This image appears on pg 110 of the Museo Storico Book, the caption stating "prototype Alfa Romeo Italdesign taxi, exhibited at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, now in the Arese Museum"
I am curious as to whether anyone has a photograph of the taxi, and any idea to the running gear that was used in its construction?
I think the design holds a resemblance to a people mover known here in Australia as the Nissan Nomad, and as an Italdesign shape I guess it is probable that Giugiaro sold the design to Nissan. Unfortunately, I dont know what that car was known as in other markets like Asia or the USA or Europe.
It had been conceived to rationalize a semi[public vehicle in line with the terms of a competition sponsored by the MoMA of NY.
It has seats for 6 people,it was based on the floorpan of the light comercial van Romeo F12, with an engine of 1280cc.
At the Torino Exhibition of 1978 Giugiaro presented the 1978 Lancia Megagamma,which was world's first MPV,that had replicated (of course on a different floorpan and engine)the layout of the 1976 NY Taxi.
Giugiaro's passion for compact multi-use,up market people carriers lead him to put dozens of cars on display.Among them the Capsula,Asgard,Columbus,Lexus Landau,Structura and Maserati Buran.
__________________
Fare sempre il contrario della massa.
E una garanzia per non sbagliare mai.
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Alfetta 2000L GTV 1978
Alfetta 1800 berlina (scudo largo) 1979
Lancia Beta 2000 HPE 1977
Lancia Thesis 5c 20v Turbo Emblema(la Berlinona)2003
Fiat Seicento Sporting 2003
Right, the illustration gives the impression of a slightly smaller vehicle and that it has Romeo 2 underpinnings isn't a surprise. The Megagamma was never actually produced, was it? I was under the impression that the Renault Espace was the first MPV and the Megagamma was Fiat's greatest lost opportunity?!?!
Right, the illustration gives the impression of a slightly smaller vehicle and that it has Romeo 2 underpinnings isn't a surprise. The Megagamma was never actually produced, was it? I was under the impression that the Renault Espace was the first MPV and the Megagamma was Fiat's greatest lost opportunity?!?!
It reminds me of the current Lancia Musa.
Correct the Megagamma was never produced.In 1978 the european market wasn't ready for a vehicle of this type.So it was the first MPV as a concept or as an idea. Renault Espace was the first MPV to reach the production 6 years later than the Megagamma concept (1984).
It may reminds you the Musa but in reality was a bigger car.It was built on the floorpan of the Lancia Gamma berlina (a D segment car with a 2,67m wheelbase).As for the engine this was derived again from the Gamma.A 2,5 lit. flat four ,capable of 140 hp.
__________________
Fare sempre il contrario della massa.
E una garanzia per non sbagliare mai.
------------------------------------
Alfetta 2000L GTV 1978
Alfetta 1800 berlina (scudo largo) 1979
Lancia Beta 2000 HPE 1977
Lancia Thesis 5c 20v Turbo Emblema(la Berlinona)2003
Fiat Seicento Sporting 2003