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Daihatsu Midget

The Daihatsu Midget is a single-seater mini-truck, later a microvan/kei truck made by Japanese automaker Daihatsu. Several distinct vehicles have borne the Midget name over the years, but all have had in common a single or two-seat utilitarian design, with an enclosed or semi-enclosed cab.

Daihatsu Midget
Overview
ManufacturerDaihatsu
Production1957–1972
1996–2001
AssemblyIkeda Plant, Ikeda, Osaka, Japan
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size autorickshaw (1957–1972)
Kei truck/Microvan (1996–2001)
Body style2-door truck

First generation (DK/DS/MP; 1957–1972) edit

DK/DS series edit

 
Daihatsu Midget MP5

In August 1957 the original DKA Midget was introduced. It featured three wheels, a single seat, a doorless cab, and handlebar steering. The engine was an air-cooled two-stroke single-cylinder design of 250 cc (ZA) which produced 8 PS (5.9 kW). Beginning in August 1959 it was replaced by the more comfortable DSA, which has doors and a more powerful 10 PS (7.4 kW) version of the ZA engine. Maximum cargo capacity was also increased, from 300 to 350 kg (660 to 770 lb).[1] A DK model appears in My Neighbor Totoro (1988).

There was also a rare two-seat version (DSAP), with the passenger seat offset to the left behind the driver. This required a longer passenger compartment, which encroached on the cargo area. There was also the DSV, a panel van version.

MP series edit

In October 1959 the MP2 Midget was introduced in Japan - updated with such features as a steering wheel, doors, and seating for two. This model had already been sold in the United States since April 1959, as the MPA, although it was marketed as the "Daihatsu Trimobile". Companies such as Boeing and Lockheed used these little vehicles inside of their plants, for instance.[2] The engine was the same (ZA) air-cooled two-stroke one-cylinder design with 10 PS (7 kW) but an extra 80 kg (180 lb) made for a sluggish vehicle. The DSA continued to be built alongside the more expensive MP variants into the early sixties. There was again a panel van version also available.

Subsequent revisions to the MP design were soon made, resulting in the model MP3 which has the larger ZD engine of 305 cc which produced 12 PS (9 kW). In May 1960 the 200 mm (7.9 in) longer MP4 arrived, featuring roll-up door windows. In August 1961 the doors were modified, now incorporating a triangular vent window and a chromed side strip. In September 1962 the final iteration, the MP5, arrived. It was again somewhat larger than the earlier MP4, with maximum length up to 2,970 mm (117 in) and cargo space increased by 100 mm (3.9 in), to a total of 1,260 mm (50 in). As a matter of fact, nearly all body panels were altered in some way, with new marker lights installed, redesigned doors, a blunter and more rounded front, bigger vent openings in front of the doors' leading edge, and finally a solid metal roof rather than the earlier fabric-covered opening. The MP5 also gained more chrome trim, around the headlamps and elsewhere. April 1963 saw the introduction of automatic oil mixing for the two-stroke engine. In August 1969 new safety regulations required certain lighting changes, a driver's side headrest, and seatbelts.[2] The MP5 remained in production until December 1971, and on sale into 1972.

By 1972, after 336,534 units had been produced, production was terminated because of the falling popularity of three-wheeled models in favor of more modern four-wheeled models.[3]

The Midget I has also been sold outside Japan as the "Bajaj", "Tri-Mobile", or "Bemo" (Bemos in Indonesia are used as autorickshaw share taxis). It is one of the first cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu, known for its low cost, practical vehicles. Thai production began in 1959, with Indonesia, Pakistan, and many other countries soon following. Almost exclusively used as an autorickshaw (or 'tuk-tuk') the Midget was also a well known icon of public transportation in South Asia. Not meant for performance, this narrow vehicle does weave through larger traffic well, despite the fact that it only has three wheels. These original tuk-tuks are a little harder to find in modern times.

In Thailand the Midget MP4 is still in production as a Chinnaraje Midget in Chiang Mai and as a TukTuk Midget MP4 in Bangkok. The facelifted version, known as MP5 is also still manufactured by the TukTuk (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Bangkok.

Second generation (K100; 1996–2001) edit

 
Daihatsu Midget II Cargo

From 1996 to 2001, Daihatsu manufactured a four-wheeled kei Midget with four-wheel drive as well as air conditioning as options. As Kei cars, they were equipped with 660 cc engines.

The Midget II was introduced as a concept at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show. There are two types of engine available, differentiated by the injection type, one being electronic. Both are identical in width and height, but the EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) version is shorter by 75mm[clarification needed]. They are available in a one-seater or two-seater configuration, with automatic and manual transmissions available. The Midget is often used by owners of bars in Japan, as they are a perfect size to haul around kegs. The design of the Midget is somewhat unusual with the spare tire mounted on the front.

References edit

  1. ^ Route★ZERO (2012-03-04). "【ダイハツ ミゼット DKA / DSA型】 幌付3輪スクーター型トラック" [Soft top three-wheeled scooter truck (Daihatsu Midget DKA/DSA)]. 旧式商用車図鑑 [Illustrated old commercial vehicles] (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-01-23.
  2. ^ a b ポルシェ356A [Porsche 356A] (2013-09-02). "1959年 ダイハツ ミゼットMP 丸ハンドルのミゼット" [1959 steering wheel type Daihatsu Midget]. 自動車カタログ棚から [From the catalog shelf] (in Japanese). Retrieved 2015-01-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Kießler, Bernd-Wilfried (1992), Daihatsu Automobile: Erfahrung für die Zukunft (in German), Südwest, p. 30, ISBN 9783517012254

External links edit

  Media related to Daihatsu Midget at Wikimedia Commons

daihatsu, midget, confused, with, midget, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, s. Not to be confused with MG Midget This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Daihatsu Midget news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Daihatsu Midget is a single seater mini truck later a microvan kei truck made by Japanese automaker Daihatsu Several distinct vehicles have borne the Midget name over the years but all have had in common a single or two seat utilitarian design with an enclosed or semi enclosed cab Daihatsu MidgetOverviewManufacturerDaihatsuProduction1957 19721996 2001AssemblyIkeda Plant Ikeda Osaka JapanBody and chassisClassMid size autorickshaw 1957 1972 Kei truck Microvan 1996 2001 Body style2 door truck Contents 1 First generation DK DS MP 1957 1972 1 1 DK DS series 1 2 MP series 2 Second generation K100 1996 2001 3 References 4 External linksFirst generation DK DS MP 1957 1972 editDK DS series edit nbsp Daihatsu Midget MP5 In August 1957 the original DKA Midget was introduced It featured three wheels a single seat a doorless cab and handlebar steering The engine was an air cooled two stroke single cylinder design of 250 cc ZA which produced 8 PS 5 9 kW Beginning in August 1959 it was replaced by the more comfortable DSA which has doors and a more powerful 10 PS 7 4 kW version of the ZA engine Maximum cargo capacity was also increased from 300 to 350 kg 660 to 770 lb 1 A DK model appears in My Neighbor Totoro 1988 There was also a rare two seat version DSAP with the passenger seat offset to the left behind the driver This required a longer passenger compartment which encroached on the cargo area There was also the DSV a panel van version MP series edit In October 1959 the MP2 Midget was introduced in Japan updated with such features as a steering wheel doors and seating for two This model had already been sold in the United States since April 1959 as the MPA although it was marketed as the Daihatsu Trimobile Companies such as Boeing and Lockheed used these little vehicles inside of their plants for instance 2 The engine was the same ZA air cooled two stroke one cylinder design with 10 PS 7 kW but an extra 80 kg 180 lb made for a sluggish vehicle The DSA continued to be built alongside the more expensive MP variants into the early sixties There was again a panel van version also available Subsequent revisions to the MP design were soon made resulting in the model MP3 which has the larger ZD engine of 305 cc which produced 12 PS 9 kW In May 1960 the 200 mm 7 9 in longer MP4 arrived featuring roll up door windows In August 1961 the doors were modified now incorporating a triangular vent window and a chromed side strip In September 1962 the final iteration the MP5 arrived It was again somewhat larger than the earlier MP4 with maximum length up to 2 970 mm 117 in and cargo space increased by 100 mm 3 9 in to a total of 1 260 mm 50 in As a matter of fact nearly all body panels were altered in some way with new marker lights installed redesigned doors a blunter and more rounded front bigger vent openings in front of the doors leading edge and finally a solid metal roof rather than the earlier fabric covered opening The MP5 also gained more chrome trim around the headlamps and elsewhere April 1963 saw the introduction of automatic oil mixing for the two stroke engine In August 1969 new safety regulations required certain lighting changes a driver s side headrest and seatbelts 2 The MP5 remained in production until December 1971 and on sale into 1972 By 1972 after 336 534 units had been produced production was terminated because of the falling popularity of three wheeled models in favor of more modern four wheeled models 3 The Midget I has also been sold outside Japan as the Bajaj Tri Mobile or Bemo Bemos in Indonesia are used as autorickshaw share taxis It is one of the first cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu known for its low cost practical vehicles Thai production began in 1959 with Indonesia Pakistan and many other countries soon following Almost exclusively used as an autorickshaw or tuk tuk the Midget was also a well known icon of public transportation in South Asia Not meant for performance this narrow vehicle does weave through larger traffic well despite the fact that it only has three wheels These original tuk tuks are a little harder to find in modern times In Thailand the Midget MP4 is still in production as a Chinnaraje Midget in Chiang Mai and as a TukTuk Midget MP4 in Bangkok The facelifted version known as MP5 is also still manufactured by the TukTuk Thailand Co Ltd in Bangkok Second generation K100 1996 2001 edit nbsp Daihatsu Midget II Cargo From 1996 to 2001 Daihatsu manufactured a four wheeled kei Midget with four wheel drive as well as air conditioning as options As Kei cars they were equipped with 660 cc engines The Midget II was introduced as a concept at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show There are two types of engine available differentiated by the injection type one being electronic Both are identical in width and height but the EFI Electronic Fuel Injection version is shorter by 75mm clarification needed They are available in a one seater or two seater configuration with automatic and manual transmissions available The Midget is often used by owners of bars in Japan as they are a perfect size to haul around kegs The design of the Midget is somewhat unusual with the spare tire mounted on the front References edit Route ZERO 2012 03 04 ダイハツ ミゼット DKA DSA型 幌付3輪スクーター型トラック Soft top three wheeled scooter truck Daihatsu Midget DKA DSA 旧式商用車図鑑 Illustrated old commercial vehicles in Japanese Retrieved 2015 01 23 a b ポルシェ356A Porsche 356A 2013 09 02 1959年 ダイハツ ミゼットMP 丸ハンドルのミゼット 1959 steering wheel type Daihatsu Midget 自動車カタログ棚から From the catalog shelf in Japanese Retrieved 2015 01 23 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Kiessler Bernd Wilfried 1992 Daihatsu Automobile Erfahrung fur die Zukunft in German Sudwest p 30 ISBN 9783517012254 Daihatsu Midget DKA and MP5 at the Toyota Automobile Museum websiteExternal links edit nbsp Media related to Daihatsu Midget at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Daihatsu Midget amp oldid 1220624013, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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