Solved - NEH 400: Kar-A-Sutra 1972

[Carnut]

For my 400th puzzle I thought perhaps something a bit silly; 1 point if you can describe what it is and what it is for!

[cmetisse]

It's the delicious "Kar-a-Sutra", made by the famous architect Mario Bellini. This strange mixture of  a veranda and a Mehari (with SM mechanics !) was shown in 1972, at the MoMA, for a show introducing italian design, "Italy, the New Domestic Landscape". It is said that Bellini created this prototype with the help of Citroën and Pirelli.

What a name, and what a concept !! Ah, the seventies... 

[Carnut]

All correct so far.
But - you haven't answered the final part of the question:  what was it intended for?
The clue is in the car's name...

That aside note you have 20 points and you are now an Expert (congratulations!) hence you're not eligible to answer Rookie puzzles!
So better leave it for someone else to come up with the final piece in the jigsaw and get the point from the info that you have mostly provided!!

[geology]

according to the architect it was.......

"To stretch out, sleep, smile, chat face-to-face, stand up, enjoy the sun, take photos, play cards, eat and drink, make love, buy a horse and a piano along the way... Forerunning the future, the car becomes a MOBILE HUMAN SPACE"

[Carnut]

according to the architect it was.......

"To stretch out, sleep, smile, chat face-to-face, stand up, enjoy the sun, take photos, play cards, eat and drink, make love, buy a horse and a piano along the way... Forerunning the future, the car becomes a MOBILE HUMAN SPACE"

All correct.
But does "Kar-A-Sutra" not sound similar to something?
A book perhaps?
Which is about...?

[geology]

ok, the obvious answer is the reference to the Karma Sutra,  therefore the primary concept for the car was a voyeuristic place to enjoy working through the pages of the 'love-making manual' 

[Carnut]

ok, the obvious answer is the reference to the Karma Sutra,  therefore the primary concept for the car was a voyeuristic place to enjoy working through the pages of the 'love-making manual' 

I've given you a point and we'll wrap it up.
But what I was looking for was that it was for GROUP SEX!
I suppose love-making will have to cover that one!

[Carnut]

A couple more pictures to show the designer's ideas:

[Ray B.]

I am sure we've already had this on Autopuzzles, but I can't find where.

[Otto Puzzell]

It was mentioned here, but I don't think it was ever posted as a puzzle.

http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=5851.msg39739#msg39739

[Ray B.]

Yes, that's what my search results said. I must have seen it elsewhere.

[Allemano]

I posted the pic, but removed it after @re's scream.

[ImpishGrin]

Ok, so if it was built in 1972 then why "Kar-A-Sutra 2009"?

[Carnut]

Ok, so if it was built in 1972 then why "Kar-A-Sutra 2009"?

Don't know why I put 2009 - put it down to my age and mental infirmity!
It was of course built on a 1972 Citroen Mehari base.
Title changed!