Comments by "John D" (@johnd8892) on "Mini Miracles: The History of the Kei Car" video.

  1. Figaro likely too big for a Kei.
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  2. The Mazda R360 Coupe was also sold in small numbers in Australia from about 1962. A survivor one at Mazda Australia head office. They may also have one of the 1959 tiny Mazda three wheeled trucks that Mazda in Australia started with. Some of the other more recent Kei sports cars made it to Australia to be sold in small numbers. Helps that we drive on the left with steering wheel on the right like Japan, so no special model needed.
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  3. No. From around 4:35 the 1955 Suzuki Kei car was much earlier, then other Japanese Kei competitors followed. Even the first 1959 Mini had an engine over twice the size allowed and then they got even larger. Mini dimensions may also be too large in some of the key sizes.
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  4. Thanks for a good reference vid. Australia got the Honda T500 truck in this from about 1964, then the Honda S600 and S800 sports cars. By about 1969 we got the Honda N360 sedan then a bit later the N600. We were about the only country outside Japan to get the Z360 sporty car as later seen splitting in the film Malcolm. Everywhere else got the Z600 but we did not. Daihatsu sold the two stroke Fellow Max here soon after. By the time Honda sold the Life 360 here , Honda buyers were much more interested in the early Civic cars and the true Kei cars petered out. Earliest would be the Mazda 360 sold here in 62 or 63 although some of the 360 Mazda three wheel trucks were sold here from 1959. Qantas had a few of them for airport use.
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  5. Australia got the Honda T500 truck in this from about 1964, then the Honda S600 and S800 sports cars. By about 1969 we got the Honda N360 sedan then a bit later the N600. We were about the only country outside Japan to get the Z360 sporty car as later seen splitting in the film Malcolm. Everywhere else got the Z600 but we did not. Daihatsu sold the two stroke Fellow Max here soon after. By the time Honda sold the Life 360 here , Honda buyers were much more interested in the early Civic cars and the true Kei cars petered out. Earliest would be the Mazda 360 sold here in 62 or 63 although some of the 360 Mazda three wheel trucks were sold here from 1959. Qantas had a few of them for airport use.
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  6. I would say close to zero 53 Customlines sold new in Japan. Much more likely that they came with the US occupying forces post war. Many Japanese could barely afford a new motorcycle, hence the Kei cars. Japanese taxes would also price large cars out of reach for most then. Occupying forces exempt from all these taxes. Left hand drive cars also a problem driving on the left of the road as Japan does. A nearly forgotten aspect of the end of the Japanese part in the war.
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