Tesla Cybertruck’s Very Early, Distinct Designs Shared By Elon Musk’s Biographer
Illustration 171172298 © Mariusz Burcz | Dreamstime.com
The general appearance of the long-awaited Tesla Cybertruck has been wedged so deeply into minds that, to car enthusiasts who have waited for nearly three years, it can look no other way. Yet, as the automaker announces that production for the first vehicles is finally complete, fans are now treated to a glimpse of the Cybertruck that could have been. News flash: Things might have turned out rather differently.
To promote his Elon Musk biography, Louisiana-based author Walter Isaacson shared a photo of Tesla executives, including Musk and design head Franz von Holzhausen, huddled around a board filled with visuals of cars to drum up ideas for the would-be automotive monster.
These included DeLorean’s DMC-12, the Aston Martin Lagonda, and a Lotus Esprit-based submarine, Autoblog points out.
Adding to @SawyerMerritt post: In my book, https://t.co/7JGHd10TEa , I describe how on one Friday in 2017, @elonmusk decreed, “We are going to do this whole thing in stainless steel.” I note: "The use of stainless steel opened up new possibilities for the look of the truck.… https://t.co/mnTjub13xP pic.twitter.com/sG2lPoE57X
— Walter Isaacson (@WalterIsaacson) July 18, 2023
The image also provides an extremely rare look at the Cybertruck’s early concepts. On the left wall, you’ll find experimental sketches of futuristic-looking vehicles that helped inform the cyberpunk-esque electric pickup. A handful of them aren’t as angular as the form people are used to seeing today.
Some early Cybertruck Sketches from as early as 2017. âœï¸
— âš¡ï¸ Dominic âš¡ï¸ (@CYBRTRK420) July 18, 2023
My favorite one is the 2nd left in the bottom row and it actually comes somewhat close to the production version. 🥳
Very cool insights! @elonmusk @woodhaus2 pic.twitter.com/Q6KvVqNSgU
Apparently, Musk was jaded by the same-old designs of trucks on the road. He thought they were boring. “He doesn’t like to be bored,” Isaacson shared on CNBC’s Squawk Box podcast.
At a meeting, the Tesla CEO brought up sci-fi films and video games, and suggested recreating these “edgy” elements in real life, an announcement that was met with some resistance. Musk said he was going to do it, anyway.
A breakthrough came after the team settled on using stainless steel for the vehicle’s body.
“Stainless steel would favor straight planes and sharp angles,” Isaacson elaborated on Twitter. “That allowed—and in some ways forced—the design team to explore ideas that were more futuristic, edgier, and even jarring.”
It’s been a long time coming, but the Cybertruck—in its final form—is slated to take to the road in the third quarter of 2023. The electric pickup will apparently have four doors and a six-foot bed.
Fascinating to see the inspiration board and early concept visuals for Cybertruck! https://t.co/j1XunaW3fh pic.twitter.com/r4HLVGSUkL
— Brett 🚀 (@neffajawea) July 18, 2023
@elonmusk just ran across some early sketch possibilities for the Cybertruck and this one here really needs to be built! I love the current Cybertruck for what it represents, but combined it with the looks of this and 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/YZgcXRb3fe
— WADE (@_oneWade) July 20, 2023
