Daihatsu’s Cute Copen

Weighing only 830kg the zippy convertible is powered in most markets by Daihatsu’s JB-DET 660cc 4 cyl engine that puts out 48kW also available in some countries along with turbocharging is their 1.3l K3-VE engine that can put out around 88kW and get the car from 0 to 100 klm in 9.5 seconds

The size of the Copen makes it a bit impractical to pack luggage or more than one friend in but the cars are gaining a cult following not only on the trendy streets of Tokyo but also in warmer climates as rent a cars where their roof down mode transforms them from a bit squeezy to open air fun.

Daihatsu Handi

In Australia the Mira was sold only as a 3 door commercial version called the Handivan and was released in 1981. The L55 handivan was soon upgraded to the L60 model in 1982 which had a new grill and increased engine size of 660cc.

This first generation body continued untill 1986, the only other changes were the introduction of a conventional 3 speed auto that replaced the unloved “easy drive” and an optional 5 speed manual. 

The 1986 L80 saw an all new body and the introduction of a 3 cyl 850cc engine, this motor was probably only used on export cars as Japan favors 660cc or lower engines to comply with a tax rule that allows cheaper registration of these cars known as Kei class cars.

In 1990 the Handivan name disapeared from the Australian market when the L201 Mira passenger car was released, by 1992 a comercial version was also released (same car, just no rear seats). The L201 still featured a 850cc engine but in a new body.

In 1995 the Mira name was dropped in Australia and the Handivan returned, now with a 660cc engine again possibly due to production of the 850cc engine finishing. The Handivan continued untill 1999 when the new L701 was released with a 1 litre engine. The name was shortened to just Handi and a new passenger version called the Cuore was released.

The Cuore continued until 2003 when it was replaced by the L251 model and renamed Charade, the Charade was formally a seperate model altogeather that had not been sold since 2000, the Handi commercial version was dropped in 2001. 

This interesting and unusual little Japanese sports car is believed to have been the original Melbourne Motor Show vehicle and has been with the current owner for the past ten years. An older restoration, the car is still in fine condition and comes with a Blaupunkt radio, heater and soft-top. Make no mistake, the Daihatsu Compagno Convertible is a rare machine – so rare, in fact, that it makes the contemporary Nissan Fairladys and Honda S800s look almost common and there are thought to be no more than three examples currently in Australia. Sold unregistered with no reserve.

Daihatsu History

With origins dating back to 1907, when two Osaka University professors first began the Hatsudoki concern, building internal combustion engines at first then moving into trucks in 1919 and by 1930 had built Japan’s first domestic automobile, the Model HA. Early three-wheelers soon gave way to four-wheeled models and a variety of new pint-sized models were appeared before war broke out. When peace returned, Hatsudoki was transformed into Daihatsu in 1951 and resumed production of passenger vehicles for the domestic market. The Daihatsu Compagno (companion in Italian) was launched in 1963 and featured attractive styling by Italian design studio Vignale, a conventional layout, a 41bhp 797cc four-cylinder engine in the original 800 model and an all-synchromesh gearbox. The original sedan was joined by a convertible and, from 1965, a 1000 model with a larger 958cc engine was made available. In total there were 120,000 of these endearing little cars built before production ceased in 1970, by which time Toyota had taken over the company. Building on the success of their Delta trucks, Daihatsu entered the Australian car market in the 1960s with the little Compagno Berlina and the four-door was sold alongside the station wagon, utility and convertible models.

for more info about the auction visit shannons website
 

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The origional Daihatsu Midget

Later models were released that saw the introduction of handy features such as a steering wheel and doors. The last midget was still a 3 wheel design and was sold in 1972. 
 

In 1996 Daihatsu released a Midget II which was a single seat tray ute with retro styling and front mounted spare tire. It had four wheels and was powered by a 660 cc engine to come under with Japanese micro car tax law.  The Midget II was based on a concept car, Daihatsu have also shown a midget III and IV concept car but these later concept cars never made it to production. 

The Modern Daihatsu Midget

A rare 1958 Midget that was in storage since 1958 with 125ks recently sold in the US on Ebay for 7000 US, while a 1996 midget II in Sydney was passed in at 6990 on Ebay.