You guys are way too quick on the Clues lately, so let’s see if we can slow you down just a wee bit. Here’s two of Japan’s finest cars, circa say 1964 or so. The scene that the actors are playing out is almost as mysterious as the cars, eh? Bonus points if you can make sense of this not-quite kabuki theater.
They’re both Mazdas . . . ca. 1967-69.
. . . Ulp! Closer examination may turn out to be Toyota . . . sub 1 Litre n/a in North America.
Toyota Sports 800 on the left. I’ve got nothing for the one on the right
Both ’60s Daihatsu.
Toyota 800 Sports and Isuzu Bellet
You got them.
Toyota Sports 800. Boxer engine powered RWD. The spiritual forefather of the Toyota 86 / Scion FR-S.
I’ve seen a couple of Toyota 800’s but can’t remember where off-hand, and quite a few Bellets over the years, including one at a hill climb just north of Melbourne (Rob Roy) years ago where a car returning to the pits on a wet day slid on the wet grass and centre-punched the side of the Bellet at approx 2mph, caved in a door skin. Funnily enough I can’t remember what the other car involved was, and no it really wasn’t me.
The car on the right is a Isuzu Bellet. Not sure about the other one, I was thinking a coupe version of the Subaru 360 but I couldn’t find a pic anywhere to support my vague theory.
Edit. dang, beaten by four minutes by John H, shouldn’t have spent so much time looking at pics of weird Japanese stuff
I recognize the Toyota 800 Sports because there is a shop here in San Diego that has a couple of them in their showroom along with at least two Toyota 2000GTs.
Toyota S600 on left Isuzu Bellet1500 on right not common now but once those Isuzus were popular cars
Well I was in Japan in 1964 and honestly do not have a clue regarding the cars. I think though that the two individuals (middle and right) are about to enact something I once saw on Honcho street in Yokosuka. Since this is a G rated article, I dare not address it further.
I really hope there is no sequel to this picture. I’m shocked.
Always liked those Belletts, not many left here now – though the gorgeous GT-R version below was for sale here last year:
I saw a couple of these Toyota 800’s at the Japanese Classic Car Show a few years back in SoCal. The photo here shows it from just about the worst angle though. In person it is very nice with tons of personality. A Miata kind of dwarfs it, it is tiny but looks like a lot of fun!
For fans of classic Japanese cars as well as R/C cars, take a look at the line up of remote control cars that is made by ABC Hobby out of Japan. This Toyota 800 is one of the available models along with old Z’s, 510’s, early Corolla’s, just very interesting stuff overall.
That’s probably an Isuzu Bellett on the right, and definitely a Toyota Sports 800 on the right. Thanks, Gran Turismo.
I like the looks of the little space pod on the left, although I’d only fit inside lying down, with my feet out the window.
I can’t believe I missed out on the chance to call a Bellet!! My Aunt had one, they were imported into Canada in small numbers and sold in our area through the tiny Toyota dealership.
I don’t remember much about it, other than I washed it once and was perplexed that the paint looked nice and shiny when wet, but dried dull. I kept wetting the car again and again, I was probably 5 years old at the time. In all my life I have never seen another Bellet.
Photo attached of me at Grandpas in 1970. Another noteworthy car here is Dad’s Canada market narrow track 1960 Pontiac.
Wow; lucky you! Nice shot.
I had trouble with the sedan; from the rear I thought ’60’s Mazda. I never saw a Bellett in the flesh; only photos of one – usually front end 3/4 angle. I do see the Canadian Poncho in the upper left portion of the photo! Strato-Chief 261? Powerglide??
I had a bare-bones ’61 Catalina same color – piece o’ crap Roto-Hydramatic and a 230hp 2-bbl 389. Only option was the heater/defroster and the Roto-HM. Dog dish wheel covers, no radio, big PONTIAC filler plate. Odd vinyl bolster color keyed with carpet insert floor mats. No P/S – six big sweeping turns lock to lock; no power brakes – manual adjustments; big-ass heavy cast iron drums.
Knew the Toyota 800, but the Bellett stumped me. I thought it might be a Hino Contessa. Both of which I have seen in So. Cal. all those years go. Never seen a Toyota 800 in the flesh.
Just bought the Australian issue sales brochure for the Contessa, quite an unusual car it appears.