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And I just noticed the tach... Up to 7000 RPM and beyond and no red line. Is that a true motorcycle engine with a 12 or - 14K redline? A mini F1 engine for the street...
It is interesting how Mazda took the really good European small sports cars from Fiat (124 Spyder and the X19 - which was one thought I had of what your car was) and made them one better. I think it was really smart of them. I think where Mazda succeed was from the up and coming car culture that they had back in those days which catapulted them into the future. Fiat missed that boat, sad to say, as both of their cars were really pretty good in their day.
And I just noticed the tach... Up to 7000 RPM and beyond and no red line. Is that a true motorcycle engine with a 12 or - 14K redline? A mini F1 engine for the street...
While Suzuki makes countless high performance motorcycle drivetrains these kei car engines are limited to 63hp by regulation. The AZ-1 has the F6A 3 cylinders engine that is turbocharged. The red line is not that high but on par with our Mini's. Since I am buying this one from an importer that came from auction in Japan they don't tell you what modifications are in the car. I relied on making inference from the photos. I could tell it has a nice boost controller and I am hoping it has a lot of performance goodies. Getting more power out from this engine on the AZ-1 is difficult due to the confined engine bay (like Project Binky's exhaust manifold challenges). This car is best to be enjoyed for what it is, the feeling of it's going faster than reality. It is the driving experience that matters most. It is like why some want to drive a MGB or a Splitfire.
Originally Posted by Eddie07S
It is interesting how Mazda took the really good European small sports cars from Fiat (124 Spyder and the X19 - which was one thought I had of what your car was) and made them one better. I think it was really smart of them. I think where Mazda succeed was from the up and coming car culture that they had back in those days which catapulted them into the future. Fiat missed that boat, sad to say, as both of their cars were really pretty good in their day.
These kei cars spawn a big aftermarket performance and styling industry. Some has custom body panels to turn them into the appearance of famed cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini, or down to a humble 70s Mitsubishi Galant. The Autozam AZ-1 does have the styling cues from Fiat X19, Ferrari, the MR2, and sports a pair of gull wing doors. It was among the most expensive kei car of the time and hence not many were sold. For current kei cars the Honda S660 is the best and most coveted. It is not a cheap car and has the quality and features to boot.
honey, I shrunk the Galant
In the era of the AZ-1 three sporty kei cars that were referred to as the ABC of kei cars are the Autozam AZ-1, Honda Beat, and Suzuki Cappuccino. Between them only the Beat is naturally aspirated while the AZ-1 and Cappuccino shares nearly identical engine. I think for turning for performance Cappuccino is the best platform as the front engine arrangement offer a lot more room for the exhaust plumbing, as well as for accommodating a better intercooler.
Here is the Honda S660 with a lot of nice full size car luxuries.
Ok, so with this stable of really fun cars and maintenance vehicles, when does the 1.5 mile asphalt track go in to fill that newly acquired excess space you now have?
Ok, so with this stable of really fun cars and maintenance vehicles, when does the 1.5 mile asphalt track go in to fill that newly acquired excess space you now have?
With enough like minded neighbors we can do this on our private shared roads.
That is some terrific driving in a really nicely prepped car. Especially the in-grass driving. Love the sound of it... I suspect part of that sounds is 2 twin throat Webers...
If your driveway looks like that, I’d say go for it!
The Escort Mk I has always been my hero car. It goes show all wheel independent suspension can be too overrated. It has a live axle. Evidently that car has 240 HP. I did a bit of googling and came across some Mk I with this 2.9L Millington engine.
Wow that is some engine. Indeed, the fuel injection version of twin Webers. They will sound similar. And I love the headers, with the slip fit tubes and springs holding the pieces together.
I can't help but to want to have this photo here. The base engine without the ancillaries is 20k British pound. It has external oil pump and a deep sump.
Meanwhile back at the ranch things are developing very slowly. Slowly due to the ongoing pandemic. Everything is delayed, and we cleared hurdle after hurdle as if it is meant for testing one's resolve and perseverance. Just when there appeared to be light at the end of a long tunnel another dark tunnel emerged. Like the saying goes, we are not out of the woods yet. One thing we know, we prefer naturally aspirated breathing in the country fresh air and taking in the absolute silence. with some exceptions. Desire almost is on board with it as she thinks she is special.
absolute silence is like absolute 0 Kelvin that is hard to warp one's mind around
if you have all the space you want to park and service your vehicles, who cares if you have a tiny home cabin?
In a way, it seems that you had a fortunate turn of events. One thing turned into another and another that persuaded you to get out of Dodge. And you did this before the gun fight (figuratively speaking) started.
We are indoors the most we can, with a 5” snow storm coming.
Take care and keep posting. As always, a fun distraction.
It's a bit if a ghost town here in Portland. I do unemployment benefits work so, I am essential. There is about 100 of us here in the office today, doing what we can. Oregon has had more than 50,000 new unemployment claims filed between 3/17/20 and 3/21/20. That number will go up as the day goes on. On an automotive note, the streets are empty and spirited driving is a lot easier and can be done safely on roads that you normally cannot. I am not going to like the traffic when all this is over.
We were closing on the transfer of the ranch, so we are essential. Seriously our closing could not come at a worst time. We were right at the verge of government service shutdown when the funds were wired. The closing was in limbo as the funds already sent but the title company had not done the recording at the county. The state can order further lockdown including shutting down the recording service. Should that happens the transaction potentially be derailed or stalls in limbo for months. What made it worst is we missed recording on Friday and had to wait through the weekend.
Commuting to and from the ranch via the interstate highway is surreal. Yesterday Oregon closed all parks and scenic attractions. I estimate there were only 1/5 of the normal tractor trailer traffic. The weather was equally crazy and it rained dogs and cats, as well as hails.
It is official. The ranch is under new management.
Desire staked her claim of a wider spot without realizing there is one more spot adjacent
Desire turned up her nose on this uninsulated stable
Riding through town the Lotus attracted much attentions from people young and old. Desire, however, attracts the wrong crowd.
Congratulations!
Well done and enjoy...
I am sure a screaming yellow “race” car tooling down the streets would attract some attention...
We just finished clearing off 5” of heavy, wet snow. It was like midwinter for a day then into the 40s yesterday. I’m sure the tulip sprouts didn’t like that...
We have been in a lockdown-ish state for a while. It is not fun. My biggest fear is bring IT home to some who is high risk...
No. I just want a miniature one. I've seen the bigger ones like the one in your link in Tokyo many times. Note that the pump for that one has been stripped off as well as many other equipment.
My little one has the pump and some nice bits still and has low mileage. I was going to buy a 4WD dump truck but they all led very hard lives. Not so with this lightly used fire fighting machine. That's why I jumped on it. Still not in my hands yet.
it is immaculate inside and still have the PA; I need to learn a few Japanese words on fire fighting
I did a double take when I saw the article. I thought at first it was YOURS. I did check back in the thread to see thst it wasn't (assumed you would have caught the bit about the missing pump).
I just thought it was strange that I have never in my life even considered the existence of Japanese fire trucks, and now I see tow different ones headed to the PNW in the same month. 🤔
I did a double take when I saw the article. I thought at first it was YOURS. I did check back in the thread to see thst it wasn't (assumed you would have caught the bit about the missing pump).
I just thought it was strange that I have never in my life even considered the existence of Japanese fire trucks, and now I see tow different ones headed to the PNW in the same month. 🤔
These are strange times we live in...
As the property is in the forest land fire can be a concern. Also with the acreage I need an all terrain vehicle to get around for maintenance. When I looked into the prices of ATVs I had a sticker shock. It was a no-brainer for me to consider a kei dump truck which would be much more versatile than solo ATV, or even the more practical side-by-side. But soon I would realize most of these kei dump trucks imported here are very well used and most are 4WD ashtrays. Once I spotted this cute fire truck I had to have it.
What can you get for a entry level price of a side-by-side ATV, compared to a low mileage 4WD kei fire truck with a pump and the cuteness to go with it?
it's on its way - let's hope it does not contract the Corollavirus on the way here
This is my new ride for the few days. It handles almost like Desire though not as limbo. I even had to stop at interstate weight station just like the professionals. If you want to accelerate, you have to call ahead to the engine room like steamship of yesteryears.
it is the longest Penske has to offer; when we picked up the Penskey, we had a heart attack to find out it is 13 feet 1 in tall; we were sure it would be too tall to enter the two sets of gates at the ranch
We forged ahead and loaded it up with the most difficult to move big items since the rental clock had started ticking. We would just have to deal with it when ugly things unfold. The weather also been nasty too with a lot of disturbances that bought rain, shower, drizzle, hails, snow, and wind. And there is no end in sight with this stretch of nasty March and April weather.
always like to check out what make it ticks, just a four banger like Desire's
I'd say the steering wheel is a bit crooked
the Penskey barely clears the gate at the ranch and requires precision driving with an on the ground spotter
Seeing the Penskey for the first time Desire was a bit confused. She thought the Lotus has grown in size overnight.
Having driven similar rigs cross country and internationally (in Canadia) more times than I can count, I have never once stopped, or been stopped for bypassing a weigh station. I've inquired with LE multiple times and been assured that I was exempt. Might save you 20 minutes or so on your rental bill.
Once you move your compressor, you can just let air out of the tires at the gate to give yourself more clearance be sure to check again on the way out when you are unladen!).
1700 rpm for 65 mph, pretty impressive for “just a 4 banger”....
While the truck is a dog to drive and the seat is most uncomfortable of any vehicles I have driven, its ability to haul is impressive indeed. It has GVNW of 26000 lbs and can haul 10,000 lbs and still returns very decent diesel MPG. I made three trips with its one way rental with unlimited mileage, which is way cheaper than local rental. As there are a lot of delicate and awkward items the truck was never fully packed high. I would do it differently if it were a long distance cross country move.
The kei cars arrived from the other end of the country.
they sizes make Desire seems not a Mini but a Maxi; you can park four of them in one space
Seriously our closing could not come at a worst time. We were right at the verge of government service shutdown when the funds were wired. The closing was in limbo as the funds already sent but the title company had not done the recording at the county. The state can order further lockdown including shutting down the recording service. Should that happens the transaction potentially be derailed or stalls in limbo for months. What made it worst is we missed recording on Friday and had to wait through the weekend.
