Japanese Car Spotters Guide - 1978

Send This Page To A Friend

Daihatsu Charade
Japan

Daihatsu Charade

  Also see: Daihatsu Car Reviews
 
Daihatsu made its new-car-in-Europe debut at the beginning of 1978. The Japanese compaany, then a member of the Toyota group, introduced the Charade saloon, a small car which at the time was remarkable for what packaged into such a small wheelbase, it being front wheel drive and five doors yet having an overall length of only 11.41 ft (3.48 m). The Charade's most interesting feature was located under the bonnet - a three-cylinder overhead camshaft engine mounted transversely. The 'over-square' motor (76 x 73 mm) had a four-bearing crankshaft, the camshaft was driven by a rubber cog-belt, and the valves were inclined in the head. Compression ratio was 8.7: 1 and the 993 cc engine featured pre-combustion chambers for minimum fuel consumption and clean exhaust. A 'Lanchester' shaft revolved in the opposite direction to the main crankshaft to minimise vibrations, and the engine developed 55 bhp (41.01 kW) at 5500 rpm, maximum torrque being 56.39 Ib ft (7.8 mkg/75.61 Nm) at 2800 rpm. The motor was coupled to an in-line gearbox (Giacosa-style) with choice of four or five speeds. Top speed was a (claimed) 87 mph (140 km/h).
1977 Datsun 200 SX
Japan

Datsun 200 SX

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun 210
Japan

Datsun 210

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun 510
Japan

Datsun 510

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun 510
Japan

Datsun 510

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun Cherry F2
Japan

Datsun Cherry F2

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun F10
Japan

Datsun F10

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun Sunny
Japan

Datsun Sunny

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun Violet
Japan

Datsun Violet

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Datsun Violet
Japan

Datsun Violet

  Also see: Datsun Car Reviews
 
1977 Honda Accord
Japan

Honda Accord

  Also see: Honda Car Reviews
 
1977 Honda Prelude
Japan

Honda Prelude

  Also see: Honda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mazda 121 L
Japan

Mazda 121 L

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mazda 818
Japan

Mazda 818

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mazda 818
Japan

Mazda 818

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mazda 929 L
Japan

Mazda 929 L

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mazda 929 L
Japan

Mazda 929 L

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mazda B 1800 Pickup
Japan

Mazda B 1800 Pickup

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mazda GLC
Japan

Mazda GLC

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
Mazda RX 7
Japan

Mazda RX 7

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
Automobile manufacturing division of the Japanese Toyo Kogyo group, Mazda was the world's only car constructor continuing with volume rotary piston engine production under a Wankel licence - a habit they have kept to this day. The 1978 offering, the RX7 was a 2+2 coupe, using an identical bi-rotor unit as the RX 2 (2 x 537 cc swept volume, totalling 2292 cc equivalent capacity), but modified to comply with ever-stricter anti-pollution legislation.
1977 Mazda RX7
Japan

Mazda RX7

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
The RX-7's compression ratio was 9.4: 1, and the adoption of a four-choke downdraught carburetter contributed to the healthy 130 bhp (97 kW) output at 7000 rpm. Maximum torque was 122.91 Ib ft (17 mkg ~ 164.82 Nm). Four or five-speed manual gear-boxes were available, and there was an automatic option. The rear-drive RX 7 had handsome bodywork, reminiscent of the Porsche 924, and was 14.04 ft (4.28 m) long. The chassis was conventional with live rear axle, but positively located by four longitudinal links and Watt linkage.
1977 Mazda RX7
Japan

Mazda RX7

  Also see: Mazda Car Reviews
 
1977 Mitsubishi Colt 2000
Japan

Mitsubishi Colt 2000

  Also see: Mitsubishi Car Reviews
 
Mitsubishi Colt
Japan

Mitsubishi Mirage Colt

  Also see: Mitsubishi Car Reviews
 
The big surprise of the 1977 Tokyo Motor Show was the Mitsubishi Mirage prototype, notable for European-type styling and engineering layout. The hatchback bodywork was good-looking and useful, the complete car being 12.43 ft Ion (3.79 m), with excellent finish and equipment It represented Mitsubishi's first transverse-engined car, their first with front wheel drive, and their first with rack and-pinion steering. With two doors plus hatchback, the small Mitsubishi was exported a the Colt, the four-cylinder overhead camshaf engine being made as 1200 (1244 cc 69.5 x82 mm) developing 55 bhp/41 kW, or a 1400 (1410 cc, 74x82 mm) with a maximum output of 68 bhp (51 kW). The larger-engine car came as standard with a twin set of gear ratios, the change from one to the other being effected by a small separate gear lever mounted alongside the main lever. The higher 'Economy' set dramatically raised ratios and reduced engine revs compared to the lower 'Performance' range. Whereas 'Economy' fourth gear provided 24.85 mph/1000 rpm (40 km/h). In 'Performance' trim the speed was 16.15 mph (26 km/h). The higher gearing resulted in quieter running, lower fuel consumption, and reduced wear and tear, the lower set greater acceleration and flexibility. Changes could be made from one set to the other whilst on the move. The Mirage also had all-independent suspension.
1977 Subaru 1600
Japan

Subaru 1600

  Also see: Subaru Car Reviews
 
1977 Subaru Brat
Japan

Subaru Brat / Brumby

  Also see: Subaru Car Reviews
 
1977 Subaru Brat
Japan

Subaru Brat / Brumby

  Also see: Subaru Car Reviews
 
Toyota Celica
Japan

Toyota Carina-Celica

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
The new Carina/Celica models were introduced to the European market at the beginning of 1978, new bodywork covering virtually unchanged mechanicals (rear drive, 1600/2000 cc engines). Following the huge success of the preevious Celica coupe's styling, it was obviously difficult to introduce a model of equal attraction, but if the 1978 model coupe was somewhat sober, the Liftback version was original, aggressive looking while remaining well balanced.
1977 Toyota Celica
Japan

Toyota Celica

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
1977 Toyota Celica
Japan

Toyota Celica

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
1977 Toyota Corona Luxury Edition
Japan

Toyota Corona Luxury Edition

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
1977 Toyota Cressida
Japan

Toyota Cressida

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
1977 Toyota Cressida
Japan

Toyota Cressida

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
1977 Toyota Crown Super
Japan

Toyota Crown Super

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
Toyota Starlet
Japan

Toyota Starlet

  Also see: Toyota Car Reviews
 
Firmly retaining its position as the world's third largest motor manufacturer, Toyota kept a keen on eye on global technical progress through the 1970's. Toyota President Mr Seisi Kato confirmed that his Company would soon introduce a small front wheel drive model. Ahead of introducing their new front-wheel drive car, Toyota up-dated the ageing 1000. The Starlet basis was a European style 'two-box' body on a longer wheelbase, available with two or four doors, plus rear hatch, with adequate interior space for a sedan at 12.13 ft (3.7 m) long. The conventional rear-drive Starlet gained a new rear axle, still of the 'Iive' type, but with coil springs and four locating links. New, precise steering was a feature of the Starlet, a rack-and-pinion layout being used for the first time on a Toyota. The robust 993 cc (short pushord) ohv engine was retained for the new model, but the 47 bhp DIN (35 kW) output made for adequate rather than exciting perforrmance, especially in the highest ratio of the five-speed gearbox. In Japan a 1300 cc, 60 bhp DIN (44.74 kW) version was also available.
Latest Classic Car Classifieds


back
Unique Cars and Parts USA - The Ultimate Classic Car Resource
next