In Japan, small size passenger vehicle is a registration category that sits between kei cars and regular cars, based on overall size and engine displacement limits.
Austin-Healey Sprite Mk1 (1958-1961)
Using parts from the tiny Austin A35 sedan, the 948-cubic-centimetre Sprite had a zero-to-100-km/h time of more than 20 seconds – glacial by today’s standards. But in 1958, Motor magazine called it “fully comparable with lively modern saloons of double its size” while lauding its “outstandingly responsive” handling that “many touring car owners have never even imagined possible.” Of course, with its “Bugeye” headlamps, the Sprite also looked ineffably cute.
BMW Dixi 3/15 (1928-1932)
To look at BMW now, who can believe the first four-wheeled BMW was this motorized baby buggy? The 1929 Dixi wasn’t really BMW’s own work; it was a built-under-licence Austin 7, Britain’s mass-market equivalent of America’s Model T Ford – BMW having acquired the original German licensee, Automobilwerk-Eisenach, in 1928. Powered (loosely speaking) by a 747-cc four-cylinder engine, the Dixi came in many body styles, including some cute roadsters.
Fiat 850 Coupe and Spider (1965-1973)
If the 850 sedan was an ugly duckling, the Coupe and Spider were swans. Road & Track called the Spider “one of the most beautiful small cars in the world” and the coupe “one of the handsomest, best-balanced designs … on a small car.” Noting the engine’s voracious appetite for revs, Autocar said, “it runs to 8,000 rpm when really thrashed and feels as though it could go on and on for ever.”
Fiat/Bertone X1/9 (1972-1989)
Even today, the X1/9 looks more like a concept car than an almost 50-year-old design based on the 128, a boxy subcompact sedan. Instead of reshaping the front-wheel-drive 128, Fiat commissioned an all-new Targa-top body from Bertone and installed the 1.3-litre (later 1.5-litre) engine midship. It wasn’t very quick, but mid-engine weight distribution and supple all-independent suspension yielded a blend of handling and ride that was sublime for its time.
Geo Metro Convertible (1991-1994)
Americans don’t do teeny-tiny cars, but sometimes automakers had to sell them to achieve Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandates. In the eighties and nineties, GM’s collaboration with Suzuki spawned three generations of three-cylinder Chevrolet, Geo and Pontiac mileage mavens. Most were eminently forgettable, but who wouldn’t say “aaawww” at seeing this? The key to driving one of these is a bumper sticker reading, “Don’t Laugh At Me, Laugh With Me.”
Honda CR-X (1984-1991)
The CR-X’s blend of sharp looks, zesty dynamics, fuel economy and unexpected practicality (I once drove my CR-X to Florida with my bicycle inside) made it a cult car. Over two generations it included hyperfrugal 1.3-litre HF, regular 1.5-litre DX and sporty 1.6-litre Si versions, and in some markets the B16A VTEC – boasting up to 160 hp. The Targa-top Del Sol that replaced the CR-X never had the same cachet.
Honda S800 (1966-1970)
Believe it or not, Honda’s first production car was this sports car. Its jewel-like 791-cc four-cylinder engine was insanely high-tech for its time – double overhead camshafts, four-barrel carburation, needle-roller crankshaft and a 9,500-rpm rev limit. In short, a motorcycle engine on four wheels. Early versions even had chain drive to the rear wheels and independent rear suspension, in which form Road & Track called the steering and handling “excellent.”
Honda N600 (1967-1972)
The first Honda car sold in North America was the Mini-sized N600. Despite the two-cylinder engine’s tiny 599-cc displacement, Motor found that by making full (and frantic) use of its 8,500-rpm rev limit, it could outrun larger-engined rivals. Noting also its light controls and acceptable comfort, “we would not pretend this sometimes buzzy, fussy little car will appeal to everyone,” Motor concluded, “but it does have some very real assets, including character.”
Mazda 323 GTX (1986-1989)
Long before Subaru or Mitsubishi, Mazda built a turbocharged all-wheel-drive compact to contest the World Rally Championship (WRC). The street version boasted 132 horsepower from its 1.6-litre engine (almost double that in competition tuning) channelled through a five-speed stick to a 50-50 split all-wheel-drive system. Between 1986 and 1991, the GTX won three events in the WRC, and the few surviving production models are now getting noticed by collectors
Mazda R100 (1968-1972)
Sure, you know the RX-7 sports car, which was long the standard-bearer for Mazda’s signature rotary-engine technology. You may even know the hand-built 1967 Cosmo 110 that first displayed the fabulous-but-flawed engine concept. But who’d have thought the cute but innocuous R100 was also rotary powered? An early ancestor of today’s Mazda3 compact, the R100 was also the first car sold in Canada by Mazda when it landed here in 1968.
Small cars
Compact car may be a vehicle size category — preponderantly utilized in North America — that sits between subcompact car cars and mid-size cars. The current definition is reminiscent of the eu C-segment or British term "small family car". However, before the economy of the u. s. automotive trade within the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties, larger vehicles with wheelbases up to one hundred ten in (2.79 m) were thought of "compact cars" within the u. s..
In Japan, tiny size traveller vehicle may be a registration class that sits between kei cars and regular cars, supported overall size and engine displacement limits.
Austin-Healey spiritual being Mk1 (1958-1961)
Using elements from the little Austin A35 sedan, the 948-cubic-centimetre spiritual being had a zero-to-100-km/h time of over twenty seconds – glacial by today’s standards. however in 1958, Motor magazine referred to as it “fully comparable spirited fashionable saloons of double its size” whereas lauding its “outstandingly responsive” handling that “many car homeowners have not even notional doable.” after all, with its “Bugeye” headlamps, the spiritual being conjointly looked indescribably cute.
BMW Dixi 3/15 (1928-1932)
To look at BMW currently, WHO will believe the primary four-wheel BMW was this motorized baby buggy? The 1929 Dixi wasn’t very BMW’s own work; it absolutely was a built-under-licence Austin seven, Britain’s mass-market equivalent of America’s auto Ford – BMW having noninheritable the initial German retailer, Automobilwerk-Eisenach, in 1928. battery-powered (loosely speaking) by a 747-cc four-cylinder engine, the Dixi came in several body designs, together with some cute roadsters.
Fiat 850 auto and Spider (1965-1973)
If the 850 sedan was an unpleasant duckling, the auto and Spider were swans. Road & Track referred to as the Spider “one of the foremost stunning tiny cars within the world” and also the auto “one of the handsomest, best-balanced styles … on alittle automotive.” Noting the engine’s voracious appetency for revs, Autocar aforementioned, “it runs to eight,000 rev once very thrashed and feels as if it might maintain and on for ever.”
Fiat/Bertone X1/9 (1972-1989)
Even today, the X1/9 appearance additional sort of a idea automotive than associate degree nearly 50-year-old style supported the 128, a three-dimensional subcompact car sedan. rather than reshaping the front-wheel-drive 128, act commissioned associate degree all-new Targa-top body from Bertone and put in the one.3-litre (later one.5-litre) engine midship. It wasn’t terribly fast, however mid-engine weight distribution and supple all-independent suspension yielded a mix of handling and ride that was elegant for its time.
Geo railway system Convertible (1991-1994)
Americans don’t do teeny-tiny cars, however typically automakers had to sell them to realize company Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandates. within the eighties and nineties, GM’s collaboration with Suzuki spawned 3 generations of three-cylinder Chevrolet, Geo and Pontiac mileage professionals. Most were eminently forgettable , however WHO wouldn’t say “aaawww” at seeing this? The key to driving one in every of these may be a bumper sticker reading, “Don’t taunt Pine Tree State, Laugh With Pine Tree State.”
Honda CR-X (1984-1991)
The CR-X’s mix of sharp appearance, zesty dynamics, fuel economy and sudden usefulness (I once drove my CR-X to Everglade State with my bicycle inside) created it a cult automotive. Over 2 generations it enclosed hyperfrugal one.3-litre HF, regular 1.5-litre DX and gaudy one.6-litre Si versions, and in some markets the B16A VTEC – jactitation up to a hundred and sixty H.P.. The Targa-top Del Sol that replaced the CR-X ne'er had an equivalent cachet.
Honda S800 (1966-1970)
Believe it or not, Honda’s initial production automotive was this sports automotive. Its jewel-like 791-cc four-cylinder engine was insanely high-tech for its time – double overhead camshafts, four-barrel carburation, needle-roller rotating shaft and a nine,500-rpm rev limit. In short, a motorbike engine on four wheels. Early versions even had chain drive to the rear wheels and freelance rear suspension, within which kind Road & Track referred to as the steering and handling “excellent.”
Honda N600 (1967-1972)
The first Honda automotive sold in North America was the Mini-sized N600. Despite the two-cylinder engine’s little 599-cc displacement, Motor found that by creating full (and frantic) use of its eight,500-rpm rev limit, it might run larger-engined rivals. Noting conjointly its light-weight controls and acceptable comfort, “we wouldn't fake this typically buzzy, fussy very little automotive can charm to everybody,” Motor finished, “but it will have some terribly real assets, together with character.”
Mazda 323 GTX (1986-1989)
Long before Subaru or Mitsubishi, Mazda designed a turbocharged all-wheel-drive compact to contest the planet Rally Championship (WRC). the road version boasted one32 power unit from its 1.6-litre engine (almost double that in competition tuning) channelled through a five-speed keep on with a 50-50 split all-wheel-drive system. Between 1986 and 1991, the GTX won 3 events within the WRC, and also the few living production models ar currently obtaining noticed by collectors
Mazda R100 (1968-1972)
Sure, you recognize the RX-7 sports automotive, that was long the standard-bearer for Mazda’s signature rotary-engine technology. you'll even apprehend the hand-built 1967 Cosmo one hundred ten that initial displayed the fabulous-but-flawed engine idea. however who’d have thought the lovable however innocuous R100 was conjointly rotary powered? associate degree early root of today’s Mazda3 compact, the R100 was conjointly the primary automotive sold in North American nation by Mazda once it landed here in 1968.
Peugeot 205 GTI (1984-1994)
We all understand the VW Golf GTI outlined the hot-hatchback genre. however did you recognize that within the eighties, a Peugeot – affirmative, Peugeot – was wide thought-about the simplest of breed? The 205 GTI launched in one984 with a 1.6-litre engine (later one.9-litre), prompting Motor to praise its “scorching performance with class-beating economy” and “new front-wheel-drive standards of handling.” In 1990, automobile magazine named the 205 its automobile of the last decade.
Mazda MX-3 (1992-1998)
In the nineties, subcompact car coupes were a factor, as well as the Mazda MX-3. The base 1.6-litre “four” was uninteresting, however it had sharp handling and robust brakes. And, unambiguously in its category, there was associate optional one.8-litre V6. seldom has there ever been a six-cylinder engine of such little displacement, plus in such atiny low automobile. within the MX-3 “it spins sweet and swimmingly all the thanks to a seven,000 rev line,” aforementioned World of Wheels.
Mini Pickup (1960-1981)
The original mini came as a sedan, a woody wagon, a panel van, the upmarket James Whitcomb Riley and Wolseley versions with pretentious grilles and extended trunk, and even the donkey, a wannabee dune buggy. Were any of them ever as cute, though, as this pickup? Despite a 25-cm distance stretch (which is longer than the sedan’s), the pickup was still solely three.35 metres long, with a box length of one.2 metres associated an formidable payload of 317 kilograms.
Nissan 1400 Bakkie (1972-2008)
Minimalists and scale-modellers can love this little however utterly fashioned pickup. supported the 1970 Datsun 1200 sedan, the pickup (“bakkie”) continuing in African country till 2008, changing into a national icon within the method. the fundamental style ne'er modified, although over the decades it received a bigger one.4-litre engine, disc front brakes, a five-speed shell and a taller roof to accommodate beefy Boers. It weighed solely 750 kilograms however might carry up to 591 weight unit.
Opel Kadett machine (1974-1979)
Over here we have a tendency to bear in mind the Chevette as a sad-sack econobox, however gram Europe had its own versions and did them right. British reviewers praised the Chevette’s refinement, ride, fuel economy and particularly (would you believe?) handling. Germany’s version was the Opel Kadett, as well as this picture-perfect machine that Hot automobile referred to as “the best-handling automobile we’ve ever tested." A later one.9-litre fuel-injected GT/E version truly predated the VW Golf GTI; somehow, the GT/E’s impact wasn’t quite a similar because the GTI’s.
Smart Roadster (2003-2005)
Only the Fortwo town automobile came to Canada, however there have been different sensible cars. Launched in 2003 on a stretched Fortwo platform, the Roadster had a rear-mounted turbo three-cylinder engine that generated up to eighty two power unit. within the spirit of the previous Bugeye fairy, it had beenn’t quick however it was feisty, frugal fun. however it had another chronic similarity to the Bugeye – once it rained outside, it conjointly rained within. assurance prices became unsustainable, and production led to 2005.
Sunbeam dagger (1967-1972)
Introduced in 1963 to challenge the mini, the rear-engined Hillman Imp sedan was technically advanced and drove well, however wasn’t a lot of to seem at. Then the superbly proportioned machine versions appeared in 1967 with additional steeply raked front associated rear windshields and an overall height concerning fifty five millimetres below the sedan. there have been Imp and Singer-badged versions too, however a higher-output version of the 875-cc engine created the dagger particularly fascinating.
Suzuki SC100 (1978-1982)
Suzuki four-wheelers square measure long gone from Canada, however would you think that for a moment within the eighties, the Samurai 4x4 outsold the motorcar Wrangler? regrettable we have a tendency to disregarded on this tiny charmer, the 1978-1982 SC100 (a.k.a. Whizzkid). Despite being solely three.2 metres long and 123 cm high, the rear-engined machine was a 2+2, which means it had 2 little rear seats meant for youngsters or occasional use. Its 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine was comparatively giant for the car’s size and Motor reported “nothing on the market [can match its] combination of performance and economy.”
Suzuki X-90 (1996-1998)
These days we have a tendency to raise “what were they thinking?” however maybe Suzuki wasn’t completely bent lunch within the early nineties. SUVs were coming back into vogue. There was conjointly a marketplace for little “personal” coupes. The runabout, T-top X-90 blending the 2 genres. As World of Wheels commented, “Suzuki has either made-up a superb new niche thought, or return up with a solution to an issue no one asked.” Suzuki euthanized the X-90 when solely 3 years.
Suzuki Cappuccino (1991-1998)
One check out this and that we will forgive Suzuki for the X-90. The Cappuccino was Suzuki’s contribution to a genre of small sports cars designed for Japan’s tax-efficient kei-car normal for little cars with engines smaller than 660-cc. whereas the rival Honda Beat was mid-engined, the Cappuccino was classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive. The turbocharged three-cylinder engine was rated at sixty three power unit – that, coincidently, was the legal most for kei cars.
Toyota MR2 (1985-1989)
Among 3 generations of Toyota’s mid-engined sports automobile, we have a tendency to just like the original for its good-things-in-small-packages purity. once it launched in one985 with a rev-forever 112-hp 1.6-litre 16-valve engine, Motor referred to as the MR2 “the nighest factor nonetheless to an inexpensive exotic. Yes, it very is that smart.” A compressor later boosted power to one hundred forty five power unit however was arguably redundant on a automobile epitomizing the phrase “it ain’t what you do; it’s the manner that you simply be intimate.”
