Toyota’s first production sports car – the predecessor to the 2000GT – was the little Sports 800 (or Yota-Hachi as it is affectionately known) and Toyota had brought one along to this year´s show. I have never seen one of these in person before, and all I can say is that they are tiny. Super tiny.
Producing 45hp from its little two-cylinder air-cooled boxer engine might not seem a lot, but lightweight construction – including aluminium body panels – helped propel this miniature racer to 160kph. Were I able to fit into one, no doubt that would be terrifying. But I still fell in love with the little Yota-Hachi. I am also wondering if its unique styling was the inspiration behind the Choro-Q range of toys.
Datsun Roadsters were in plentiful supply at this year’s show and ranged from period restorations to fully modified examples with SR20 transplants. Many were also sporting what I will refer to as an ‘upmarket Californian look’, since although most were immaculately turned out, there were rather a lot of luggage racks present. It is more a look that would be familiar within the British classic car scene but which suits the timeless design of the Fairlady perfectly.
A friend who is wiser than me in the mysterious art of luggage transportation pointed out that “the purpose of the retaining bar on a luggage rack is not to prevent you losing your baggage under acceleration, but to prevent your pic-a-nic basket from hitting you on the back of your noggin under hard braking”. If that is true, then these Roadsters were all running back to front luggage racks, although I cannot decide if that is a mistake or a new styling theme within the upmarket Californian look. Post your thoughts in the comment box below.
