Another Kei Car: Mazdaspeed Autozam AZ-1

[Zoom Zoom]

Kei Car Wiki

I call this diminutive mid-engine beast "Lambotini". Aoshima Mazdaspeed Autozam AZ-1. Built over the past few days, fun project in between commission projects. The real car has a 660 CC turbo 3 cylinder engine by Suzuki; Suzuki built this space frame gullwing car (think gullwing Fiero...plastic body panels fit the same way) under license for Mazda; a little over 4000 were produced in the early/mid '90's. I sat in one recently and barely fit, my feet were hilariously too wide to operate the pedals in the uber-narrow footwell...depressing the clutch would involve depressing the brake at the same time. This has to be the coolest kei car ever made, and they're just making it to the US under the 25 year law.

[Zoom Zoom]

Comparision/contrast. About the same footprint as an Austin Healey Sprite. 

 

[droogie]

Great looking model of a car that looks like it could put a huge smile on your face every time you drove it.

[OldNYJim]

As a Miata owner, I'd LOVE to drive one of it's baby brothers sometime.  What a cool car - and a GORGEOUS build!  Stunning!

[Zoom]

Little and very nice!

[Phirewriter]

That's a cool little car, love it!

[peekay]

Beautifully built as always - and great photography!

[PatW]

Well done  Bob, just the car for the UK! With our high fuel prices and narrow roads it would be ideal!

[da_ashman]

Great work as always Mr Zoom Zoom! Such a cool little car! Really great to see it beside some of your other work! Does it fit in the tray of the F150? prob not far off...

[theraif]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4RcyRYVa6U&t=1655s

[Zoom Zoom]

9 hours ago, theraif said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4RcyRYVa6U&t=1655s

Very timely video, I had shared it yesterday on my FB page. Lots of respect for that girl! Turbo engineer, Mazda freak, works on her own car, and even let grandpa drive it 

[ismaelg]

That's cute! Must be a fun car to throw around!

I once drove an Alfa Romeo and had to take my shoes off because the pedals were so close together...

 

[FabbricaP]

Great build! That picture with the Raptor is great 

[Deathgoblin]

This looks fantastic.    I think these AZ1's are cute little cars.