Liberty based on Dakar Concept? Or Not?

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:30 pm

I initially thought that the Liberty was based on the Dakar concept, which makes sense, since they look strikingly similar...

But look at these two photos from the 1997 Detroit Auto Show. Notice anything? Here's a hint, look in the background of the photos. And remember that they were taken in 1997, 5 years before the first Liberty hit the market.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

I believe the Dakar is essentially a 4-door TJ.

kjfishman · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:58 pm

Edo is right. The Jeep in the background must have been the Liberty prototype. Would be interesting to see more of the prototype, from a glance the 02's weren't changed much when introduced.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:17 pm

kjfishman wrote:

Edo is right. The Jeep in the background must have been the Liberty prototype. Would be interesting to see more of the prototype, from a glance the 02's weren't changed much when introduced.

I'm curious if anyone thought that the Liberty was based on the Dakar like I did...Clearly the fact that they are both prototypes in the same show they can't really be THAT much based on eachother, more of "stemmed from the same idea" rather than a based-off.

zeero · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:37 pm

Based on it, it would seem maybe....but.....that Dakar Jeep looks FREAKIN SWEET! :wink:

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:42 pm

Notice that the Dakar concept even has a hard roof... Lot's of similarities to the new TJ.

I haven't paid attention to the new Liberty / Nitro coming out, but was there a concept of that also? I don't know if I like the new style yet. (The Jury is still out since half of it is always covered in camo)

bennybmn · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 5:51 pm

The Dakar had nothing to do with the liberty from what I remember, other than maybe Jeep seeing the need for a small 4 door. The Dakar was quite literally a stretched Wrangler I think.

As for the libby in the background (which looks WAY too much like an 02 to be a concept) maybe that pic was actually taken later? I mean I know the Dakar came out for the 97 show season, but maybe it stuck around as a show truck for a couple years?
There's also a PT cruiser in the background... When did that come out?

drafter · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 6:02 pm

Are you sure about the 1997 date? I find it odd that they have a PT Cruiser in production form 3 years before they started producing them? I owned a PT the first month they hit the lots and the one in the background has stock production wheels and everything.

Edit: After researching a little, Chrysler didn't show the PT Cruiser production model until the 1999 Detroit Show, so the 1997 date is definately off.

kicks6000 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:00 pm

I agree with drafter. There is also a late body style Chrysler Town and Country in the background. However, I believe the Liberty was released before 2001 in selective markets. They did this along with the Chevy Trail Blazer in order to test the vehicles before their BIG debut. This way they were able to get rid of some of the "kinks."

TerreKJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:37 pm

The catalogue for my 2002 Liberty cites the Dakar as one of the influences for the Liberty's look as well as the Jeepster concept.

matthiesen · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:28 am

Will the "refreshed" Liberty in 2008 use the increased size Dodge Nitro platform? The reason I own a Wrangler and a Liberty,other than being Jeeps,Is that they fit into my garage.We live in an older part of town and the garage was built for pre 1940 vehicles.The wife and I rotate weekly on garage usage.Anything bigger just won't fit.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:34 am

matthiesen wrote:

Will the "refreshed" Liberty in 2008 use the increased size Dodge Nitro platform? The reason I own a Wrangler and a Liberty,other than being Jeeps,Is that they fit into my garage.We live in an older part of town and the garage was built for pre 1940 vehicles.The wife and I rotate weekly on garage usage.Anything bigger just won't fit.

Haha, you all are like little kids! Taking turns using the garage. :lol:

matthiesen · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:21 pm

Seems like when the weather is bad;hers is in in the garage.What's up with that?

Liberty based on Dakar Concept? Or Not?

Who is online