Daihatsu once created a concept car that turned into a bed

If you’re the type of person who’s ever wanted to get away from it all, alone, look no further than the Daihatsu Trek. Described as a vehicle for the “lone driver” to “go as you please” and “travel at your own pace” the Trek was a concept created for the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show. While mainstream manufacturers were building giant SUVs like Land Cruisers and Pajeros, Daihatsu made a single-seater minicar that transformed into a bed.

In car mode, it was an open-air car with a single seat. The dashboard, steering wheel, and rearview mirrors could all be electronically retracted to form a completely flat surface.  Though they took up no vertical space, the headlights and taillights could be hidden as well. The bed could then be covered by a canopy that, according to Daihatsu, took only five minutes to put up, resulting in a conestoga wagon-looking tent with wheels.

Daihatsu never disclosed what powered the Trek, but mentioned in the literature that it could be fitted with a turbo and had four-wheel-drive. It had decent ground clearance as well as approach and departure angles, and even came with a built-in winch in case you got yourself into a hairy situation in the middle of nowhere.

Inn 1985 the Bubble Era was in full swing and Daihatsu showed an unprecedented 32 concepts that year. The Trek was among the most “out-there” of the bunch, with no hope of really ever going into production. Nevertheless, it’s a reminder of how fun and innovative carmakers can be when given room for creativity.