Toyota

- Toyota's first sports car! - One of only circa 3,000 built and 300 remaining - The first car with a targa roof, before Porsche! - The styling inspiration for the legendary 2000GT - Formerly part of Honda's own private collection! Looking a little like a scaled-down Toyota 2000GT, the Sports 800 (UP15) was a development of the original Publica 700. Introduced in 1961, the latter was Toyota's response to the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry's concept of a 'national car'. MITI's brief specified weight below 400kg (880lb), a maximum speed of over 100km/h (62mph), fuel consumption of 85mpg at a steady 60km/h (37mph), and exceptional reliability: no breakdowns or repairs for at least 100,000km (62,000 miles). Toyota's design team had been inspired by the Citroën 2CV, and although they adopted a 2CV-like 697cc front-mounted air-cooled boxer engine, opted for conventional rear-wheel drive transmission rather than the French car's front-drive layout. Engine capacity was later raised to 800cc while maximum power increased from 28 to 45PS, which was good enough to propel the streamlined little Sports 800 to a top speed of around 100mph. A total of 3,131 had been produced by the time production ceased in 1969, the most significant mechanical advance along the way being the adoption of a synchromesh 1st gear in 1967. Boasting a very early example of the removable 'Targa' roof, this smartly presented Sports 800 has to be one of the coolest cars ever to come from Japan. Offered with a road test report and specification in Japanese. Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call 0208 878 3355 for more information. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.