1977 Subaru Brat
he Subaru BRAT, (outside the US, also known as the 284 in the UK, Brumby in Australia, and Shifter, MV, Targa or MPV in other markets), is light, four-wheel drive coupé utility,[2][3] sold from 1978 to 1994. It was an export-only model, never sold in Japan.
Jumpseats
US versions also had carpeting and welded-in rear-facing jumpseats in the cargo area. These were claimed to be a tariff-avoidance ploy,[4][5] with the plastic seats in the cargo bed allowing Subaru to classify the BRAT as a passenger car - charged only a 2.5%, compared to 25% tariff on light trucks due to Chicken tax. They were discontinued after the 1985 model year.
Drivetrain
All BRATs had four-wheel drive and the Subaru EA engine. Early models received the 1.6 litre EA-71 whereas 1981 and later models received a 1.8 litre EA-81 engine. 1983 and 1984 models could be purchased with an optional 94 hp (70 kW) turbocharged engine. Manual transmissions were standard on all models and an automatic transmission was available on turbocharged BRATs. 1980 and earlier models had a single-range transfer case, while 1981 and later GL models had a dual range transfer case (DLs still had single range) and all turbocharged models were equipped with an automatic transmission with a single range, push-button four-wheel drive.
1974 Honda Civic.
The Civic's smaller size allowed it to outperform American competitors such as the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto. When the 1973 oil crisis struck, automobile buyers turned to economy cars. Good fuel mileage benefited the standing of the Honda Civic in the lucrative U.S. market.
Honda began selling the 1169 cc (70 in³) transversely mounted inline-four engine Civic for about US$2,200. The Civic was largely developed as a new platform, and was the result of taking the previous Honda N600 and increasing the length, width, height, and wheelbase. The engine displacement was almost double the previous N600 (599 cc) at 1,170 cc, with two more cylinders added. The car produced roughly 50 hp (37 kW) and included power front disc brakes, vinyl seating, reclining bucket seats, and a woodgrain-accented dashboard which has many similarities to the later Rover SD1. The hatchback version added a fold-down rear seat, an AM radio, and cloth upholstery. The car had front and rear independent suspension. A four-speed manual transmission was standard. Options for the Civic were kept to a minimum, consisting of air conditioning, an automatic transmission called the Hondamatic, radial tires, and a rear wiper for the hatchback. The car could achieve 40 mpg-US (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) on the highway, and with a small 86.6-inch (2,200 mm) wheelbase and 139.8-inch (3,550 mm) overall length, the vehicle weighed 1,500 pounds (680 kg).
1967 Toyota 2000GT.
The mid-1960s was a great time to be in the market for a two-seater sports coupe. There were a number of fantastic cars available for purchase at either end of the market. From the small and affordable MGB GT Hatchback to Ford’s new Mustang to the incredible Ferrari 275 GTB, America, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain all had multiple models at different price points to enter into the fray. At the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, Japan introduced its first entry into this heated competition, the 2000GT.
This vehicle was originally convened by Yamaha, who was known at that time for producing motorcycles, and then it was marketed to Nissan as a world-beating sports car, but they decided not to take on the project. Yamaha pitched the car next to Toyota, which immediately saw the sports car as an opportunity to shed its reputation of producing rather conservatively designed automobiles. Many thought this to be a costly gamble for the company, but Toyota believed that the potential benefits would outweigh the costs, as it would allow the firm to compete with much more established and renowned companies.
The 2000GT was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine that was based on the one found in the Toyota Crown but was adopted by Yamaha with new double overhead camshafts. It could produce 150 horsepower, to move 2,400 pounds of car, which, along with its 49/51 weight distribution, resulted in an automobile that was light on its feet and handled like a dream. James Crowe, who tested the car for Road & Track magazine, praised it as being “highly refined in handling and driving, and one of the most exciting cars we have ever driven…an impressive car in which to sit or ride, or simply admire.”
1917 Mitsubishi Model A. Based on the Fiat Tipo 3,
the Mitsubishi Model A was Japan's first passenger car.The Mitsubishi Model A is the only car built by the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Company, a member of the Mitsubishi keiretsu which would eventually evolve into Mitsubishi Motors, and the first series production automobile manufactured in Japan. It was the brainchild of Koyata Iwasaki, the Mitsubishi's fourth president and the nephew of founder Yataro Iwasaki, who foresaw the vast potential of motorized vehicles and the role they would play in the economic development of Japan. Envisioned as a luxury vehicle for high echelon government officials and top executives, the Model A had to be reliable, comfortable and a showcase of Japanese craftsmanship. After the war in 1964, Mitsubishi would use this approach again to build an exclusive sedan for government officials and top level executives with the Mitsubishi Debonair.
Based on the Fiat Tipo 3, it was a four-door seven-seat sedan powered by a front-mounted 26 kW (35 hp) 2.8 litre straight-4 engine driving the rear wheels, and was capable of speeds up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h). 22 were built at the company's Kobe shipyard, including prototypes, between 1917 and 1921.
Because it was expensive to produce—it was built entirely by hand, with a cab made of lacquered white cypress—it could not compete with cheaper American and European competition, and Mitsubishi halted production after four years. Concentrating instead on its successful Fuso commercial vehicles, the Model A would be the company's last passenger car until the Mitsubishi 500 of 1960.
At Mitsubishi's Auto Gallery (a museum of the company's most historically significant vehicles, established at their R&D Center in Okazaki in 1989) there is a replica on display, assembled in 1972 using materials of the time. It has a slightly shorter wheelbase, and uses a water-cooled 977 cc four-cylinder OHV engine instead of the larger 2.8 litre original.
source:
http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1068237
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_Legend
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_MR2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Supra
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_BRAT
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Model_A
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_(first_generation)
