Quirky Masterpiece - We often come across cars that make us stop and ask, “What kind of vehicle is this?” While modern technology produces many AI-generated designs,
the Futura/Waimea Concept is different—it is a real, tangible car, built from a 1960s sketch. Its unusual central driving position—similar to the layout seen on
the Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” and
the McLaren P1—together with eclectic styling and futuristic flair, makes it one of the most striking automotive experiments of its era, seamlessly bridging mid-century imagination with modern restoration. Remarkably, only one unit of this car was ever built, making it truly unique.
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| The Futura/Waimea Concept is a real, tangible car whose unusual central driving position, eclectic styling, and futuristic flair make it one of the most striking automotive experiments of its era. (Picture from: Lane Motor Museum) |
The story begins in
1945 when
industrialist Henry J. Kaiser,
together with veteran automobile executive Joseph Frazer,
founded the Kaiser-Frazer automobile company. A year later,
Kaiser formed
Kaiser Aluminum and commissioned
designers Rhys Miller and
Frank Hershey—
designer of the original 1956 Ford Thunderbird two-seater—
to create a series of all-aluminum car designs. These designs were showcased in oversized, reproduced portfolios meant to entice the automotive industry into exploring aluminum’s potential in car construction, capturing the futuristic aesthetic of the era.
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| The Futura/Waimea Concept was brought to life in the 1990s by Minnesota automotive restorer Blake Larson, based on the ‘Waimea’ sketch from a 1960s Kaiser ad drawn by Rhys Miller. (Picture from: MarioTheMultipla) |
Although these aluminum prototypes never reached production and were never submitted to any automaker for manufacturing,
their designs endured.
In the 1990s,
automotive restorer Blake Larson from Minnesota discovered a collection of Kaiser ads from the 1960s.
One sketch,
in particular,
the “Waimea,” captured his imagination.
Rhys Miller is solely credited with this design,
which featured the unusual driver’s seat positioned in the middle with center steering.
Larson interpreted these promotional illustrations and brought them to life in the 1990s, creating
the only existing Futura Waimea as a real, drivable car.
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| The Futura/Waimea Concept was built on a Corvair Lakewood wagon as its base, fitted with a roof rack from a Chevy Vega Wagon, and complemented by a sunroof from a ’54 Ford Skyliner. (Picture from: Lane Motor Museum) |
Creating the Futura/Waimea required careful planning. Since the central driving position left no room for a front engine, Larson used a Corvair Lakewood wagon as the base. This allowed him to preserve the mid-century concept while using the Corvair’s rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout to accommodate the vehicle’s mechanics, blending practicality with imaginative design
Larson enhanced
the Waimea’s futuristic appearance by incorporating parts from classic cars.
He mounted ’59 Cadillac rocket taillights on the D-pillar,
added a sunroof from a ’54 Ford Skyliner,
used the instrument cluster from a ’49 Nash Ambassador,
and installed a roof rack from a Chevy Vega Wagon. He named the car
“Futura,” inspired by
the early 1960s Ford Falcon Futura, borrowing the wheel covers and script to complete the homage. These elements combined to give the car a unique, cohesive, and attention-grabbing style.
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| The Futura/Waimea Concept features green upholstery (originally white) throughout its cabin, a centrally placed three-spoke classic steering wheel, and an instrument cluster sourced from a ’49 Nash Ambassador. (Picture from: Lane Motor Museum) |
During the 1990s,
Larson showcased
the Futura/Waimea around Minnesota, drawing curious onlookers wherever he drove. After several years, the car disappeared from public view, only to resurface in
2013 on
eBay. It was purchased by
Wayne Carini,
host of Chasing Classic Cars,
and featured in Season 17,
Episode 5,
titled Back to the Futura. Eventually,
Lane Motor Museum acquired the car from Carini in 2021, ensuring its preservation as a one-of-a-kind automotive creation.
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| The Futura/Waimea Concept features ’59 Cadillac rocket taillights mounted on its D-pillar and a rear-mounted, air-cooled 145 cubic-inch Corvair flat-six engine producing 84 horsepower, paired with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. (Picture from: Lane Motor Museum) |
The Futura/Waimea’s technical specifications reflect its Corvair foundation and Larson’s ingenuity. It features a rear-mounted, air-cooled 145 cubic-inch Corvair flat-six engine producing 84 horsepower, paired with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. The rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout supports the central driving concept. While its top speed remains unknown, the car’s significance lies in its originality, engineering creativity, and the successful transformation of a 1960s sketch into a real, drivable vehicle.
The Futura/Waimea Concept serves as a vivid reminder of how imagination can shape automotive history.
From Henry Kaiser’s aluminum ambitions and Rhys Miller’s bold sketches to Blake Larson’s innovative restoration and Wayne Carini’s preservation efforts, this car embodies decades of creativity and dedication. Today, it continues to captivate enthusiasts, proving that even the most unusual ideas can come to life and leave a lasting mark on car culture.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LANE MOTOR MUSEUM | MARIOTHEMULTIPLA | OLDCARLOVERS IN FACEBOOK ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
