Weekend Edition – Would I Bounce Back: Dome Zero

Antti Kautonen

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童夢-零(Dome_Zero)_(8014531836)

The Japanese Concept Car Weekend Edition continues with the Dome Zero. The Zero is rather a small-scale production prototype car than a true concept car, and it was made in small numbers from 1978 to 1986.

It looks incredible, and is easily one of my all-time favorite cars.

童夢-零(Dome_Zero)_(8014530379)

The Zero is amazingly futuristic, but it’s clearly a product of its time. If a car has ever resembled a doorstop, the completely wedge-shaped Zero does. And it’s one of the few cars that can steal attention from a yellow Stratos.

The mid-engined Zero uses a Nissan L28 engine, with a meagre 145 horsepower, but weighing only 920 kg. Those excellent-looking wheels are 13″ front, 14″ rear.

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The interior is just as weird as the exterior, and even if the materials suit a prototype car made in low numbers, it looks reasonably well put together.

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Dome raced the Zero at Le Mans in 1979 and 1980, but failed to finish in ’79 and only managed a last place finish in ’80. It must have looked stunning amidst the Porsches, though.

[Images: Wikimedia, Rikita/yukogets]

About

Antti Kautonen

Antti Kautonen

The resident Finn of Hooniverse. Owns old Peugeots and whatnot, writes long thinkpieces on unloved cars. These two facts might be related.

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5 responses to “Weekend Edition – Would I Bounce Back: Dome Zero”

  1. HSA Avatar
    HSA

    Stunning. Those windows and vents on the side are slightly peculiar, in a good way. I can see hints of Alfa Romeo Carabo in the wedgeness of the front, but that's exactly what a wedge-shaped car should be. The overall design is unique and, well, awesome.

    Reply
  2. Felis_Concolor Avatar
    Felis_Concolor

    I see several popular design influences of the period there, although the overriding one is that someone really wanted to see Bertone's Stratos concept put into production.

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      My thought exactly.

      Reply
  3. Number_Six Avatar
    Number_Six

    I have an 18 carat love affair with the Dome Zero.

    Reply
  4. Rover 1 Avatar
    Rover 1

    To be fair, the LeMans racers looked a bit different to the road cars. In the same way that LeMans Porsches did -still incredible but much wider and longer and swoopier.

    Reply