The tiny Sports 800 was a giant leap for Toyota
Toyota's first production sports car was awesome in many ways!
In April 1936, Toyota produced their first production car: the AA. However, it would be another 29 years before they released their first sports car to the public. This tiny giant came in the form of the Sports 800 - affectionately known as the Yota-Hachi (Toyota 8).
Credit: blog.toyota.co.uk
For a moment in 1962, the whole of Japan stood still to marvel at the wonderful Toyota Publica Sports. Its main feature was the space-age sliding canopy, and its engine was taken from their popular economy car, the Publica 700. The Publica Sports inspired the Sports 800, although the unpractical canopy was replaced in favour of traditional doors and a removable roof panel.
Credit: wikipedia.org
Let's fast-forward to 1965, where the Sports 800 was first put into production. It was even better looking than its prototype sibling, and underneath the curving bonnet was a small but mighty 790cc flat-twin engine producing 44 horsepower. Aluminium and thin steel body panels kept weight to a mere 580 kilograms, meaning that the Sports 800 was small, fast and agile.
Credit: blog.toyota.co.uk
Lightweight, aerodynamic, economical: the Sports 800 had it all. At the 1967 Fuji 24 hour race, these attributes gave it an advantage; Toyota scored a 1-2-3 victory with the 800 and two 2000GTs. It became a successful racer in Japan and proved that 100 miles per hour was more than enough to compete with other comparatively gargantuan sports cars on the track.
Credit: hemmings.com
Just over 3000 examples were built between 1965 and 1969, with minor changes over the years. However, it is thought that only 10% of these amazing machines still survive. As prices rise and the Sports 800's classic status grows stronger, could now be the time to buy one? Classic Trader has an original condition 1968 model for £37,950. Is it worth it? For a car like the fantastic Toyota Sports 800, I would say yes.
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Comments (4)
I wouldn’t mind having a car like this - it’s cute!!
I know, it is very cute 😁
Nice article! Like you said, the Sports 800 is like a baby 2000GT. Naturally, it must be a bit under appreciated. Any car that only has 44 hp and can top out at over 100 mph is a good car in my opinion.
Thanks, I’m glad you like it and agree with me that the Sports 800 is great! Quite underrated, if you ask me.