by John R Walters » Tue Dec 13, 2005 01:37
Not my first car, but in 1975, we were living in Jos, in Northern Nigeria and I bought my wife, Hazel a small Daihatsu just like the one that Allan Williams has posted above.
Ours was obviously the ‘Posh’ model for it had exactly the same body shape, but had 4 doors, reclining front seats, radio of course (what Japanese car ever came without a radio no matter what the size), wind up windows (tinted of course) all round, had a small boot just big enough for a case of lager, and was painted a lovely Apple green colour, therefore was always known as the Apple!.
My youngest son and daughter learnt to drive in it as well, ‘cos it was so easy to drive with its 3 cylinder, 360cc, two stroke engine. It would do 70MPH on the speedo after a long run up, which was quite enough thank you. At that speed it gave you the feeling that, if you put your arm out of the window you might get lift off on that side, as it was so light!!!!
We sold it when we left 6 years later, for what we bought it for, having spent nothing on it apart from regular service costs, and given the conditions in Northern Nigeria that is quite remarkable as it was not just used on tarred roads, and at an altitude of 5000 odd feet!!!!
Hazel and the children still have fond memories of the ‘Apple’
I have lots of pics but they are all in boxes following our move to Spain – with our Cap. I hasten to add.
Again, Oh happy days
Sorry to bore, but that was my first experience of Jap. and K-cars which I still enjoy today, for our other cars are also Japanese.