History Can anyone identify this bubble-top car?

I found this picture in my collection, but it is un-named. Only clues are the steering wheel is on the "wrong" side and the file name has "1957" in it. I perhaps knew what it is at one time but not anymore. Anyways, I think it's pretty cool looking, and thought one of you guys might recognize it.

James

 

I guess it's a mystery...

 

Judging by the taillights it looks like a one-off Chrysler engineering exercise circa 1957.

 

Unless the negative was reversed, right hand drive might be a helpful clue.

 

OK, it occurred to me to google the file name and I found some others. Turns out it's a Toyota (don't throw things at me, please.) I think it's a cool looking little thing.

Early Japanese automotive design history is worth studying in my opinion, because they hadn't yet come up with their own design aesthetic (some may argue they never did), and their interpretations of American design trends are often quite interesting.

 

yup.
still happening today in the Japanese hot rod/ kustom/ chopper scene.

 

Most foreign brands were 'borrowing' key design cues from Detroit in those days.
Lots of them went into production.
Cool little ******.

 

Cool a japanese 57 Vette or something like that. No insult to the U.S. here it just reminds me of that. It is cool lookin and would be very unusual to see something like that @ your local show? How about the long line of curious people?

 

Sorta cool, really.

 

That's the coolest Toyota here.

Lucky667

 

Sent pix of this car to a friend who is into kustoms - his reply?

"Godzirra not catch fast bubblecar. I Japanese Batman!"

I frickin rolled......

 

Can't be Japanese, I don't see a fart can.

I kid, I kid, my winter car runs on rice. Looks pretty cool to me.