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

November 20, 2011 – Famed Ferrari designer Sergio Scaglietti dies

Scaglietti, left, in his body shop Sergio Scaglietti opened Carrozzeria Scaglietti, an auto repair and…

2 days ago

November 19, 1959 – Ford announces the end of Edsel

Too much money. Too much hype. Too much of the same old thing. Designed to…

2 days ago

Rare 1955 Mercedes Truck for Sale

This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 170 S-D Diesel pickup truck appears to be an exceptionally rare find,…

2 days ago

November 18, 1960 – End of the line for DeSoto

1961 DeSoto Less than a week after Chrysler acquired Dodge Brothers, it debuted its new…

4 days ago

November 17, 1986 – The Assassination of Renault CEO Georges Besse

Georges Besse (Renault) On this day in 1986 Georges Besse, the 58-year-old CEO of French…

4 days ago

November 16, 1904 – The history of auto theft in Los Angeles begins with first recorded stolen car in the city

1905 White steam car. Not the first stolen car, but similar. This one is known…

5 days ago