It is believed that the world's first passenger minivan was the Renault Espace (1984). However, one can recall the Nissan Prarie that hit the assembly line in 1981, or the Chrysler Voyager, which also appeared earlier. But what's more - the Italians showed their concept of a monocab already in 1976! It was an Alfa Romeo New York Taxi.



With a length of only four meters (that is, more than a meter less than the then New York taxis), the car, in addition to the driver, could accommodate five passengers and their luggage. The roof was glass so that tourists could admire the skyscrapers, and a retractable ramp was even provided for prams and wheelchairs.



Then the concept of replacing hefty "cabs" with a compact and practical minivan seemed crazy - this is even evidenced by the fact that the idea to make such an "Alpha" was thrown by the freaks from the New York Museum of Modern Art. That is, at that time, the yellow Alfa Romeo van was perceived by the public approximately as Andy Warhol's self-propelled tomato soup.