Before there was a crossover, actually before anyone thought of the name "crossover" for that matter, there was the 1967 Dodge Deora concept.

Those were wild times for America and for designers. And 1967 might have been the peak (even though this humble blogger was not yet born).  The Deora was Dodge's take at a multi-purpose vehicle, one that could haul both cargo and in-vehicle technology in equal measure.  Looking through the old brochures that Chrysler Historian Brandt Rosenbusch kindly supplied me with, this truck sure was, in a word, fabulous.

"A space age vehicle -- a futuristic pickup truck the little green people might well drive to their flying saucer -- has been launched from a small cinder block building on Detroit's west side," the press materials note.

Designed by the "A-Brothers" Larry and Mike Alexanders, concept may not have lived to see production, but it lived in the hearts of many fans and designers.  And one lucky buyer will be able to keep it in ther garage.

Jalopnik reports that the RM Auction will put the Deora on the bidding block on Sept. 26.  It's expected to attract bids between 350,000-$550,000.

A fine investment, albeit a bit more than the Hot Wheels version.