Vintage Photo: ” Wanna Check Out My Hot New Ride?”
– Posted on December 8, 2024
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Hey, having your own car (like this Mitsubishi Minica) in early ’60s Japan was a pretty big deal, even it the engine was only 360cc. I’d be proud, too.
In the 1960s there was a Scottish professional football player called Billy McNeill who in 1967 captained the first British team to win the European Cup (now Champions League).
He was an imperious central defender whose nickname was “Caesar” – except it wasn’t.
In the early 60s a bunch of Celtic FC squad members went to a movie, and afterwards teasingly began to refer to McNeill as “Cesar”, comparing him to the star (Cesar Romero), because he was the only member of the squad who owned a car.
“You cretin! I asked you to get an Evo!”
Huh, I always thought Mr. Incredible’s car was just fiction.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LTX51OzGndw
This is well within living memory for many people, but the extent to which world population, living standards and expectations have changed is mind boggling. We’re in a unique historical period by any standard, the implications of which still seem only marginally appreciated. This picture is a good thought-provoker.
I like the stretch limo version even more
This IS the stretch limo version! 🙂
The Mitsubishi Minica was originally designed as a wagon (and pickup!) hence the…challenging proportions of the sedan. Interesting roofline too (flying buttresses!)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Mitsubishi_Minica_LA_Rear_JPN.jpg/1024px-Mitsubishi_Minica_LA_Rear_JPN.jpg
As an aside, I’m still getting “posting too fast” warnings. Just infrequently and randomly enough to break any habit of copying what I just said to clipboard before hitting the post button.
Pardon me, but you’re facing the wrong way. A real gentleman always pulls up so the lady doesn’t have to walk around the car to get in.
Probably a factor of the photo being staged, I would expect the normal traffic direction would be the other way with Japan being a RHD country.
I think I’ve seen this shot before, but I can’t remember if it was taken at a new hotel or company HQ; if the former, I wonder if a Minica owner would have stayed there? I’m thinking probably at a more modest establishment.
Kind of looks like an Austin “Farina.” (IMHO, an impressive picture, considering the country had been bombed to the ground about a decade and a half earlier.)
Through most of my prime dating years until I got married, I didn’t have a car, so that would have been pretty awesome!
Truth be told, if I wasn’t married I wouldn’t have a “real” car, I’d have some oldass Miata or classic.
The four slots beneath the front grille, give it more of an ‘industrial’ look, losing some refinement in it’s design. Along with the factory installed mud guards, the true practical nature of the design is reflected.
I haven’t recently tested the best ingress/egress approach on micro-cars, but I suspect I’d prefer conventional door openings to these suicide doors.
Looks as if she may be thinking “I thought it would be bigger”
He’s thinking that “It might not be the biggest thing on the road, but parking shouldn’t be an issue.”
Won’t be the only time she thinks it that night.
An unused scene from the 1967 movie, “You Only Live Twice….”
Bond-san, so sorry, Toyota 2000 GT in shop for tune-up – have back-up car…
Given all the talk about how moderm mega-pickups are purchased to make up for a lack of manhood, could the opposite be running through her mind?
My immediate thought: Hey, baby, at least it’s not a Reliant.
My car matches your dress. Wanna go for a ride?
Amazing ! . another unknown to me, you guys are wonderful .
-Nate
The couple and the proportions of car-to-building reminds me of the old joke about the newly-married couple on their wedding night, wherein the fairly-sizable bride gets the giggles upon them undressing (and each staring at the other thus presented for the first time).
She says: “My, but you do have small organ!’ – to which he replies, “Well, possibly, but maybe it’s just that it was never designed to play in such a bloody great cathedral!”
Looks to me like you could drive that thing through the front door of that building!
“Sorry… the car rental was all out of Crowns!”
Neat shot; shame the doors appear to off another car!
Died laughing! Not any worse than my first car, a brand new 1966 Dodge Coronet 2-door sedan with few options. Good luck, fella!
Someone should have said dont use hot water to wash it some shrinkage may occur.