Anything with a wayback is OK in my book. I would have loved a built-in gaming console as a kid. Although sitting back there staring at that screen for long trips probably would have resulted in my parents having to mop out the wayback area. http://www.slashgear.com/90s-oldsmobile-almost-had-a-car-with-an-embedded-nes-16379373/ 90s Oldsmobile almost had a car with an embedded NES There is an old phrase that goes something like "boys and their toys", and what would better qualify as "toys" than games and cars. Back in the 90s, those games would be from the consoles of that generation, particular the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES, also known as the Family Computer or Famicom in some regions. Around that time as well, a now defunct car maker almost put out a car that would have been a gamer's game come true, one that had the gaming console built right into it. By today's standards, with all the tablets and smart cars we have, that might sound almost normal, if not expected. But back then, it would have been revolutionary, and probably illegal at some point. Oldsmobile debuted the idea in its Expression Concept car which first appeared in the 1990 Chicago Auto Show. The Expression actually boasted things that we take for granted today, like a four-wheel steering and automatic windshield wipers. The NES wasn't exactly installed on the front or even on the rear passenger area of the car, or at least not where you'd expect it to be if it were done today. The Expression was actually a six-seater, with four bucket seats facing forward and two in the trunk area facing the opposite way. It is for these two back passengers that the NES was built for. NES was embedded inside the back door, with the controllers safely nested within easy reach. Sadly, the Expression Concept remained only such and Oldsmobile itself bid farewell to the automobile world in 2004. The built-in NES component would have useful for those long journeys with children. That said, perhaps it would have been safer if the console wasn't located on the door, where accidents could happen.
More pics and tech specs here: http://autosofinterest.com/2014/12/13/1990-oldsmobile-expression-concept/
As much as I never grew up with all of those fancy toys this seemed like a nice thing for extended trips. I don't see what having the controls in the rear door whould have to do with safety. Computers or not when you get rear ended someone is gonna get hurt. This concept is far better than when we grew up staring at corn fields and Rt 66. And even better than our own kids playing "Slug bug" or counting license plates and cows. My oldest son has one of the last year Olds and he loves it.
I found that safety reference humourous. Since the website that I originally found the article on was targeted more at computer users than car guys I think they were actually concerned more about the safety of the gaming system than the passengers. I agree, with that stuff mounted in the tailgate, it stood a pretty good chance of getting damaged very quickly.
Yes, especially if an excited ten-year-old boy absolutely slammed that T/G, I'm sure Mr. Nintendo would feel it.
Cool concept, but it's proportions seem a bit odd. Futuristic sedan in the front, rounded minivan in the back. And don't try to roll down that rear door glass....
I thought it was pretty cool that one of the concept sketches showed the rear glass going upward into the roof in a clamshell style. I would have liked to see that make it to the concept. The lift hatch was more practical but not as futuristic looking as other parts of the car. I thought it interesting as well just how much of it is evocative of Ford styling. From the front corner is just screams Taurus but the rear quarter looks not dissimilar to a Pinto. I don't have a good explanation for that Camaro front clip.
I wonder if this car was included when GM was selling off all of its concepts and show cars at auction a few years ago? It might still be out there somewhere.
