This Day

October 28, 1977 – Tokyo Motor Show opens

First generation Daihatsu Charade. By Charles01 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

The annual Tokyo Motor Show kicked off on this day in 1977. By the late 1970s, fuel economy had become a hot topic in the auto world and the show offered a look at an array of upcoming fuel sippers. Among the most popular fuel-saving cars shown were the diesel powered Toyota

Crown and Isuzu Florian. Yet the oddball Daihatsu Charade made one of the biggest splashes at the show thanks to its unique engine configuration. What made it so special? The world’s first mass produced four-cycle, three cylinder engine sat under its hood. The tiny ICE achieved about 19 liters per kilometer, which is about 45 miles per gallon. It remained in production through 2000.

1978 Toyota Crown 2600 Saloon. By Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand CC BY 2.0
Brian Corey

Recent Posts

December 15, 1969 – The last Plymouth Superbird

The story of the Plymouth Superbird and its development is fairly well-known, so we won't…

7 days ago

December 14, 1987 – AMC Eagle production ends

1983 AMC Eagle Wagon. By Christopher Ziemnowicz The history of American Motors Corporation (AMC) begins…

1 week ago

December 13, 1939 – The first Lincoln Continental

A first generation Lincoln Continental When Edsel Ford requested a personal luxury vehicle to use…

1 week ago

December 12, 2000 – GM announces end of Oldsmobile

At the time Oldsmobile closed its doors in 2004 it was the oldest surviving American…

1 week ago

December 11, 1990 – The 1990 I-75 Fog Disaster

The 1990 Interstate 75 fog disaster stands as one of the most tragic and impactful…

2 weeks ago

December 10, 1915 – The 1,000,000th Ford

Ford Model T c.1915 Henry Ford had one goal: put the world on wheels. To…

2 weeks ago