It’s not his shot, but CC reader Chris C. sent me this photo that deserves to be shared. Yes, I get the “toaster” comment a lot. And as cars/CUVs become ever more rounded and bulbous, the xB is looking ever-more different. To the point that I had some kids in a CUV next to me at a light check out my toaster and make a decidedly positive comment. That hasn’t happened since the first few years these came out.
I love it ~ reference the the TV advert of two rats driving a toaster….
-Nate
This is funny. Bravo to the owner of this Scion.
It took me a second or two to realize an extension cord was attached to the rear!!!
Maybe a puff of smoke for burnt toast would be a great addition.
That is beyond cute – leaves the old wind-up key for dead! But, as in the case of the Beetle, the real joke is that it’s a bit of fun with a seriously nice car … which, in the case of this one, all too soon was “improved” to death. Oh, the next version sold okay, but the things that made xB.1.0 so very special were lost in translation. The tidy overall dimensions swelled up, steel swallowing those generous expanses of glass, and with the added size and weight we lost that sweet, frisky little 1.5 in favor of a rather dull 2-liter.
In spite of Toyota’s heavy pitch to the Youth Market (assuming there was one), I was not in the least surprised that the first xB I spotted on the road, in Pasadena, was driven by one of our many Little Old Ladies. And why not? It was the perfect old person’s car: easy to get in and out of; easy to drive, with great outward visibility in every direction; plenty of room for friends and/or groceries; cheap to buy and cheap to run, with Toyota durability and sweet road manners. It was the latter-day equivalent of the Baker Electric, only quicker, smaller, and no bud vases.
Darling little car. Its successor, not at all.
I’ve liked the toaster Scion xb ever since it came out and almost bought one, but ended up with a couple Pontiac Vibes. The load floor area with the rear seats up is larger in the Vibe. The rear seats in the Vibe also fold to make a flat load floor.
Perfect garage mate for this car:
Second picture down would be perfect for this treatment. Wonder if it’s still in Paul’s neighborhood 7 years later.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/09/curbside-classic-1987-mitsubishi-van-up/
You can’t get more of an automotive appliance than that.
Rudiger, shoots, scores! Let us raise our glasses in tribute to him; yea, let’s give him a toast!
It is amazing how much the human visual system and mind are not the camera we go around thinking they are. Until my ninth or tenth(!) look at this photo, I did not see the toast up top. I saw the xB, its volt/frequency/wattage plates, the UL-listed insignia, the power cord, the removed rear wiper, the cars around it…but not the toast, which suddenly appeared after numerous previous looks.
Speaking of not seeing: “I blackened out my taillights so they work less!”
I wonder if there’s a flap underneath to let the crumbs out?
All newer cars have those now, Ed…. done in the name of aerodynamic efficiency. Makes changing the oil a pain in the a$$. ?
I prefer English muffins with cream cheese or strawberry jam myself 🙂 .
Reminds me of the salt and pepper shakers. The black toast for pepper, white toast for salt, and the toaster held both of them.
I like how the current license plate works into the “label”. It appears that the other two may be vanity plates as well, perhaps expired with the state info painted over? Although, the lower case z is suspect –
The Porsche 914 also drew kitchen-appliance comparisons when it came out. As was well known in Germany, it was styled (if you can call it that) by an industrial design firm that had recently designed a line of Braun kitchen appliances.
Wonderful This car should be in our Art Car Parade next year.
http://www.thehoustonartcarparade.com/
Paul, what a pleasant surprise to see this posted! I really wanted a first gen xB but was too broke at the time to afford a new car. If the first gen was still available I’d grab one in a heartbeat.
That just made my day!
The Toaster in Annapolis, MD. with butter.
During the three trips I’ve taken, driving this car around our country (including two visits to the Houston art car parade), I’ve learned a thing or two. When people see art appear in front of them they love it and usually react with joy. Also, I am always surprised (and a little disappointed) how many of us miss the beauty, joy and wonderful, crazy stuff all around us. Thanks for all the interest. D.B.
Yum! Now where’s the jam?
Thanks for sharing your toaster with us.
I hope you come to understand how many people like this car and will begin looking around them selves more because of it .
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Art & beauty is all ’round us one simply needs to look for it .
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-Nate
I saw it with butter!