Daihatsu Bee
From Toyota Wiki
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| Automotive industry | Daihatsu |
|---|---|
| Also called | ビィー |
| Production | 1958 |
| Assembly | Japan |
| Car classification | Microcar |
| Car body style | Coupé |
| Automobile layout | RR layout |
| Internal combustion engine | 540 cc |
The Daihatsu Bee is a Three wheeled car Microcar that was produced by Daihatsu Kogyo Co Ltd from 1958.
Although Daihatsu had been producing Tricycle for carrying freight since 1930, and had produced a small car for military use in 1937, the Bee was the first Automobile the company had built for sale to the general public. The car was marketed from October 1951, shortly before the company changed its name from Hatsudoki Seizo Co to Daihatsu.
Photographs show the car with a two door fibreglass body, though other sources state that it had a four door body and was popular as a Taxicab. Power was provided by a rear mounted 540 cc Overhead valve air-cooled two-cylinder Four-stroke cycle engine.[1] The car was adapted from one of Daihatsu's three wheeled delivery trucks. It was released for sale in 1958, and sold very few units.[2]
References
- ↑ Georgano, G.N. (Editor) (1982). Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars. London: Ebury Press. ISBN 0-85223-234-9.
- ↑ Davis, Tony (2005). Extra Lemon!. Sydney: Bantam. p. 99. ISBN 1-86325-550-8.
- (Language/en) "Company Milestones". Daihatsu. http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/info/gaiyou/enkaku/enkaku1960.htm (Language/en). Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
External links
- Source of secondary information about the car
- (Language/en) Photographs of the Bee showing the engine and other views
- Daihatsu publicity photograph of their museum car
- Daihatsu archive photograph of the Bee
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