A 1992 Mazda Autozam AZ-1 was recently successfully auctioned in the US for $23,500 (approximately 620 million VND), despite the car only having a 63-horsepower engine.
For many, that price is unbelievable for a small kei car with modest performance. However, the Autozam AZ-1 has long been a rarity among Japanese car collectors due to its unique design and limited production run.
The most striking feature of the AZ-1 is its gullwing doors, a feature usually only found on expensive supercars. Combined with its low profile, wedge-shaped body, and mid-engine configuration, the car resembles a miniature Italian supercar.
The Autozam AZ-1 was launched in 1992, during what is considered the golden age of kei cars in Japan. At that time, car manufacturers competed to create compact yet emotionally engaging vehicles while still adhering to strict regulations regarding size and power.
Along with the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino, the Autozam AZ-1 is considered one of the icons of the Japanese kei car era. The model was distributed by Autozam, a now-defunct subsidiary of Mazda. However, in reality, Suzuki was responsible for assembling the Autozam models.
Behind the cockpit is a 657cc, three-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 63 horsepower and 85 Nm of torque. While the power output is quite modest, it was still the maximum power allowed for kei cars in Japan at the time.
Despite not possessing impressive acceleration capabilities, the car weighs only around 720 kg, and combined with a 5-speed manual transmission and mid-engine drivetrain, it delivers a nimble driving feel, which is highly appreciated by many car enthusiasts.
The AZ-1 being auctioned has approximately 54,000 km on the odometer and has been upgraded by its owner with features such as 14-inch wheels, a Mazdaspeed steering wheel, a custom gear shifter, and a Sony infotainment system.
According to collectors, fewer than 4,400 Autozam AZ-1s were produced before production ceased in 1995. This scarcity has contributed to the kei car's steadily increasing value in recent years, particularly in the US market, where it was never officially distributed.
In a landscape where many modern sports cars are becoming increasingly powerful and faster, the Autozam AZ-1 still holds its own thanks to its "small but great to drive" philosophy, something that is becoming increasingly rare in the automotive industry today.
(According to Carscoops)
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