The surprisingly different Daihatsu
10/26/2013
When we think back and try to remember the beginnings of the Daihatsu brand, we think of small cars with frugal engines, cars like the Daihatsu Charade from 1983.
But the guys at Daihatsu could do things differently, and they were already doing so in the sixties. As early as 1965, a Daihatsu engineer modified the Copagno Berlina and set a new speed record with the P-1 racing car on the Suzuka circuit. This was followed in 1966 by the P-2, which performed respectably, finishing third and fourth in its class in the Clubman's race at Fuji Speedway.
About a year later, in between there was also a P-3, the Japanese came up with the P-5, which was a thoroughbred racing car. Weighing 510 kg and built on a tubular frame, the coupé was only 990 mm high and could reach speeds of 245 km/h . The 1.3-liter engine produced 140 hp at 8,000 rpm. The sports prototype, in which Daihatsu had pulled out all the stops, won its class at the 1968 Japanese Grand Prix and came tenth overall. Further good placings followed, including in Suzuka. After the purchase of Daithatsu by Toyota, the racing car was mothballed.
