Description

1967 Daihatsu Trimobile

The Daihatsu Company was formed in 1907 as the Osaka Motor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Its first vehicles, in 1930, were small 3-wheeled commercial delivery trucks sold under the names Daihatsu or Tsubasa. In 1951 it changed its name to Daihatsu Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, and during the '50's and '60's it produced a wide range of commercial vehicles. Its earlier vehicles were handlebar-steered. Its products were a great success, both in Japan and other Asian markets.

1954 brought the first passenger car, called the "Bee", which was derived from a three-wheeler commercial chassis and powered by a 250cc motor. These three-wheelers were also available as taxis, for which there was a tax reduction of 40% compared to a four-wheeler.

1962 brought the first four-wheeled car- the 700.

1966 saw a one-third controlling interest by Toyota, and the make went from strength to strength from then on.

The cute little Trimobile enjoyed success because its seating position was that of a real car, not an adaptation of a motorcycle.

Manufacturer: Daihatsu Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka Japan

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This vehicle was one of the many vehicles sold at the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum Auction in February 2013

Click here to review the auction results in the Market Watch Section of Harry Kraemer's Wheels & Wings site