According to my various books, magazines and vintage show car programs, Harry Bradley designed the Deora for Chrysler while working at General Motors.
It is a modified 1965 Dodge A100 pickup that (probably due to corporate orders) retained it's slant six engine that was modified with twin carbs, etc. I've always understood that it runs and drives. I think that was a part of it's purpose.
It won the Ridler Award when it debuted at the 1967 Detroit Autorama and was included in the original first-ever batch of sixteen Mattel Hot Wheels cars.
None of the Deora Hot Wheels cars that I ever had (or still have) had the engine poking out of the car anywhere.
Interestingly, Bradley was hired by Mattel to develop the Hot Wheels line. When Mattel owner and Hot Wheels creator Elliot Handler wanted to include the Deora in the initial Hot Wheels offerings he wanted to add the surf boards to create some visual interest. Bradley strongly objected and was almost fired over the matter. In retrospect, Bradley thinks the surf boards were the right decision and considers the incident a good lesson on getting out of your own little groove and thinking cross-culturally - in this case the hot rodding culture and the surfer culture.
- Phillip