The A1 was the first prototype passenger car built by the company that became Toyota . It was redesigned and put into production as Toyota's first production cars, the AA sedan and the AB cabriolet . These were succeeded by the similar AE , AC and BA sedans.
58-464: The series as a whole was replaced by the quite different and much more advanced SA . Three A1 prototypes were completed in May 1935. None of them survive. They were blessed in a Buddhist ceremony and Kiichiro Toyoda then drove one of them to the grave of Sakichi Toyoda , his father, who gave him the seed money to start a car factory. After completion of the prototypes, Toyota then switched its attention to
116-447: A 1939 PV60 prototype, but the data is sketchy and no photos exist. The BA was introduced and first produced in 1940. No more than 17 were built. Some sources, however, claim the model did not enter production, such as it was, until 1943, with one giving the date of June 1943. But judging from 1943's production figures, the majority of which would have to represent the AC, it would not seem to be
174-509: A BA captioned as "1943 Totoya Model BA 4-cylinder saloon" in at least one source. One example of the Model BB phaeton was built, in 1941. It resembled a contemporary Chevrolet. Two or three examples of a luxury sedan, known as the Model B (or Model BC, according to one source), were built. Although one source associates this model with the year 1942, most claim the prototypes were built in 1944. This
232-449: A replica but even for that there were no complete and consistent plans. Plans that could be found were from various points during the car's development process and in any case were often incomplete and lacking by today's standards. However, a single replica was built that is believed to be representative of the AA. The replica uses the 2.3-liter Toyota 2M straight-six engine. This replica is now in
290-477: A smaller, "ponton" influenced aerodynamic body. The project was driven by Kiichiro Toyoda under the wisdom of his father's ( Sakichi Toyoda ) words, "Stay ahead of the times" but most of the design work was done by Dr Kazuo Kumabe . The body was aerodynamic in a style similar to the Volkswagen Beetle . Only a two-door sedan was made, making it unsuitable for the taxi market. The doors were hinged at
348-510: The Crown . A series of light trucks also shared the chassis and major components of these passenger cars. All of these vehicles were sold under the Toyopet name. The SA was Toyota's first true post war design. It differed from all previous Toyota cars by having a 4-cylinder engine (previously a 6-cylinder was used), 4-wheel independent suspension (previously using rigid axles with leaf springs ) and
406-530: The G1 truck because it was more likely to be profitable in the short term. After the G1 was in production the company was able to spend resources on developing the AA and AB passenger cars. The A1 prototypes were completed in May 1935. The A1 used the 3,389 cc (206.8 cu in) Type A Overhead valve 6-cylinder engine producing 62 horsepower (46 kW) with a 3-speed column-shift manual gearbox. The Type A engine
464-658: The Publica and the Corolla . Although permission to begin full production of passenger cars in Japan was not granted until 1949, limited numbers of cars were permitted to be built from 1947, and the Toyota SA was one such car. Design work started at the end of 1945 when the GHQ let it be known that authorised commercial production of vehicles for the general public would be commencing soon. This model
522-672: The Toyota Automobile Museum . In 2008 an original AA was found in Vladivostok , Russia in derelict and heavily modified condition, with the undercarriage and drivetrain from a GAZ-51 truck. It is now displayed, still in this condition, in the Louwman Museum in the Netherlands. The car was apparently used by a local family for their farm until the 1990s (without them actually knowing its value) before it faced engine problems and
580-451: The FH26 and FH28. The RH was succeeded by the similar 1955 RR Master and the much more modern 1955 RS Crown . The one-liter SH version which was equipped with the type S engine was also produced. The 1500 cc version was named Toyopet Super and the 1000 cc version was named Toyopet Custom but found few takers. Produced from September 1953 to 1955, 5,845 RHs were built. On
638-404: The FH26 and FH28. The RH was succeeded by the similar 1955 RR Master and the much more modern 1955 RS Crown . The one-liter SH version which was equipped with the type S engine was also produced. The 1500 cc version was named Toyopet Super and the 1000 cc version was named Toyopet Custom but found few takers. Produced from September 1953 to 1955, 5,845 RHs were built. On
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#1732852561674696-559: The Japanese Police Reserve Force by adding a special body with a canvas top, four canvas doors, and a fold down front window but they were not popular. Produced from 1947. The SB used the same engine and gearbox as the SA, a three-speed manual and the 1-litre "S"-series engine, producing 27 PS (20 kW) at 4,000 rpm. This was enough for a top speed of 68 km/h (42 mph). A conventional ladder frame chassis
754-442: The Japanese Police Reserve Force by adding a special body with a canvas top, four canvas doors, and a fold down front window but they were not popular. Produced from 1947. The SB used the same engine and gearbox as the SA, a three-speed manual and the 1-litre "S"-series engine, producing 27 PS (20 kW) at 4,000 rpm. This was enough for a top speed of 68 km/h (42 mph). A conventional ladder frame chassis
812-597: The RH but with the much larger Type F engine. It was very similar to the earlier FHJ fire appliance. Same as the RH except for the Type F engine. The front body was based on the SG light truck, there were no doors and the rear of the body was heavily customised with typical fire appliance accessories (e.g. hoses, axes, ride-on steps, grab bars). In spite of looking like a small truck, the FH24 still used
870-413: The RH but with the much larger Type F engine. It was very similar to the earlier FHJ fire appliance. Same as the RH except for the Type F engine. The front body was based on the SG light truck, there were no doors and the rear of the body was heavily customised with typical fire appliance accessories (e.g. hoses, axes, ride-on steps, grab bars). In spite of looking like a small truck, the FH24 still used
928-446: The RH except for the Type F engine. The front body was based on the SG light truck, there were no doors and the rear of the body was heavily customised with typical fire appliance accessories (e.g. hoses, axes, ride-on steps, grab bars). In spite of looking like a small truck, the FHJ still used the single rear wheels of the RH passenger car. The FH24 was a fire appliance vehicle built based on
986-400: The RH except for the Type F engine. The front body was based on the SG light truck, there were no doors and the rear of the body was heavily customised with typical fire appliance accessories (e.g. hoses, axes, ride-on steps, grab bars). In spite of looking like a small truck, the FHJ still used the single rear wheels of the RH passenger car. The FH24 was a fire appliance vehicle built based on
1044-669: The SA stopped, a revised version of the SC was made as the SD. 3 prototypes were built but the SC did not go into production. Same as the SB except for independent front suspension. A 5-seater passenger car using the same chassis and suspension as the SB. Produced from November 1949 until 1951. Same as the SB. An update to the SD. This sold in considerably higher numbers than any of its predecessors, mainly due to increasing demand for taxis. Produced from October 1951 until 1953. 3,653 were built. Same as
1102-534: The SA stopped, a revised version of the SC was made as the SD. 3 prototypes were built but the SC did not go into production. Same as the SB except for independent front suspension. A 5-seater passenger car using the same chassis and suspension as the SB. Produced from November 1949 until 1951. Same as the SB. An update to the SD. This sold in considerably higher numbers than any of its predecessors, mainly due to increasing demand for taxis. Produced from October 1951 until 1953. 3,653 were built. Same as
1160-622: The SD. An update to the SB, sharing components with the SF. Produced from March 1952 until 1954. Same as the SF. A further update to the SF but with the newly designed 1.5 liter Type R engine. The RHN's body was made by the New Mitsubishi Heavy Industrial Manufacturing Co. and the RHK's body was made by Kanto Auto Works , Ltd. The transmission was a four-speed manual sliding mesh unit. The BHR police patrol car sedan
1218-440: The SD. An update to the SB, sharing components with the SF. Produced from March 1952 until 1954. Same as the SF. A further update to the SF but with the newly designed 1.5 liter Type R engine. The RHN's body was made by the New Mitsubishi Heavy Industrial Manufacturing Co. and the RHK's body was made by Kanto Auto Works , Ltd. The transmission was a four-speed manual sliding mesh unit. The BHR police patrol car sedan
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#17328525616741276-438: The case that all 17 BA production cars were built that year. The production of the 17 cars may have occurred in 1940 and 1943, or perhaps it was stretched over the 1940–1943 period, with the last few being completed in 1943, when the model was said to have started "official" production. Support for the notion that at least a few of these cars were produced in 1943 would come from a photograph (obtained from Toyota Motor Co. Ltd.) of
1334-473: The economic principles exemplified by the Beetle when designing the Publica and the Corolla . Although permission to begin full production of passenger cars in Japan was not granted until 1949, limited numbers of cars were permitted to be built from 1947, and the Toyota SA was one such car. Design work started at the end of 1945 when the GHQ let it be known that authorised commercial production of vehicles for
1392-452: The end of that year, not counting the prototype. Eighteen SA cars were built in 1948, and from 1949 to 1952, 193 more were built. No breakdown exists between models after 1948; only yearly passenger-car grand totals are extant. This model introduced the Type S straight-4 water-cooled engine, conventionally mounted in the front of the car and driving through the rear wheels. Two small grills at
1450-406: The end of that year, not counting the prototype. Eighteen SA cars were built in 1948, and from 1949 to 1952, 193 more were built. No breakdown exists between models after 1948; only yearly passenger-car grand totals are extant. This model introduced the Type S straight-4 water-cooled engine, conventionally mounted in the front of the car and driving through the rear wheels. Two small grills at
1508-492: The entire width of the body in a single pane. The AB was identical to the AA except that it was a convertible with a folding cloth roof, the rear doors opened forwards like conventional doors and the front glass could fold down onto the engine compartment. The mechanicals were the same as used in the A1 prototype. Toyota wanted to use an AA for its 50th birthday in 1987 but couldn't find any surviving examples. Toyota decided to build
1566-406: The front allowed air for the engine's radiator. Transmission was by a 3-speed manual gearbox and a Hotchkiss drive (previous Toyotas used a torque tube ) to a rear-mounted differential . The final drive gear ratio was 7.17:1 . More unconventional was the use of a backbone chassis and four-wheel independent suspension. A-arm suspension (short upper arm, long lower arm) with coils was used at
1624-406: The front allowed air for the engine's radiator. Transmission was by a 3-speed manual gearbox and a Hotchkiss drive (previous Toyotas used a torque tube ) to a rear-mounted differential . The final drive gear ratio was 7.17:1 . More unconventional was the use of a backbone chassis and four-wheel independent suspension. A-arm suspension (short upper arm, long lower arm) with coils was used at
1682-479: The front and swing axle suspension with semi-trailing arms , Panhard rods and a transverse semi-elliptical leaf spring was used at the rear. A light truck using the running gear from the SA but with a ladder chassis and solid axles front and rear, both with semi-elliptical springs. The SB was popular with the general public and also with the American occupation forces, which ordered it in large numbers. The SB
1740-428: The front and swing axle suspension with semi-trailing arms , Panhard rods and a transverse semi-elliptical leaf spring was used at the rear. A light truck using the running gear from the SA but with a ladder chassis and solid axles front and rear, both with semi-elliptical springs. The SB was popular with the general public and also with the American occupation forces, which ordered it in large numbers. The SB
1798-460: The front and driving the rear wheels. The AE sedan was a smaller car than its predecessors. The AE was developed during 1939, and a prototype was completed in September of that year. The model was introduced at the beginning of 1940. However, production occurred from 1941 to 1943. Only 76 of this model were built. The mechanicals were similar to the AA except that it had the Type C engine, which
Toyota AA - Misplaced Pages Continue
1856-702: The general public would be commencing soon. This model was introduced in January 1947, with a prototype (which had been under development for more than a year) being completed at that time. Production occurred from October 1947 through May 1952 (overlapping with the 1949-introduced SD), with a total of only 215 being built. The first car to be produced by Toyota in the postwar period was the AC, which had first been produced in 1943-1944. Fifty were built for government and military use in 1947, and three more were assembled in 1948. Since only 54 cars were built by Toyota in 1947, this leaves four Model SA production cars to be built at
1914-435: The much smaller SA . Forty-three were produced in 1943, 19 in 1944 (until February), and 50 units were made from spares in 1947 for a military order, with a final three being built in 1948. No Toyota passenger car production occurred in the years 1945 and 1946, although what would become the first post-war car, the SA, was in development during these years. During the retro craze of the 1990s-2000s, Toyota would capitalize on
1972-585: The other hand, 230 SHs (1000 cc "Custom" version) were built. Same as the SF except for the new Type R engine. The FHJ was a fire appliance vehicle built based on the RH but with the much larger Type F engine. This was sold at the same time as the FAJ (based on the heavy duty FA truck), the FCJ (based on the medium duty FC truck) and the FJJ (based on the BJ Jeep ). Same as
2030-399: The other hand, 230 SHs (1000 cc "Custom" version) were built. Same as the SF except for the new Type R engine. The FHJ was a fire appliance vehicle built based on the RH but with the much larger Type F engine. This was sold at the same time as the FAJ (based on the heavy duty FA truck), the FCJ (based on the medium duty FC truck) and the FJJ (based on the BJ Jeep ). Same as
2088-556: The rear (often called suicide doors ). The front window was a single pane of flat glass with a single wiper mounted above the driver. Only right hand drive was offered. Toyota engineers (including Dr Kumabe) had visited Germany before World War II and had studied the 16-cylinder Auto Union racing car (independent suspension) and Porsche and Volkswagen designs (independent suspension, aerodynamic bodies, backbone chassis, rear-mounted air-cooled engines, economical production cost). Many Japanese companies had ties with Germany during
2146-419: The rear door and one behind the rear door. A spare tyre was mounted on the nearly vertical boot lid. The A1 was available only as a right-hand-drive vehicle. The AA was similar to the A1 prototypes with only minor changes. A total of 1,404 AA sedans were produced from 1936 to 1943, when the model was replaced by the more austere AC. A total of 353 AB convertible , including the military ABR version,
2204-468: The single rear wheels of the RH passenger car. Toyota SA The SA was Toyota's first new passenger car design (as opposed to updating the AA ) after World War II . It was the first in a family of vehicles before the introduction of the Crown . A series of light trucks also shared the chassis and major components of these passenger cars. All of these vehicles were sold under the Toyopet name. The SA
2262-684: The styling of the original AA/AB/AC series to create the Toyota Classic . Based on the Toyota Hilux chassis, the Classic incorporated classic sedan styling with streamlined features but modern amenities. Nevertheless, no more than 100 vehicles were ever produced and today it is very rare. The mechanicals were similar to the AA and AB. Kiichiro Toyoda designed the EA as a copy of the DKW F7 sedan in 1938 but production
2320-409: The times" but most of the design work was done by Dr Kazuo Kumabe . The body was aerodynamic in a style similar to the Volkswagen Beetle . Only a two-door sedan was made, making it unsuitable for the taxi market. The doors were hinged at the rear (often called suicide doors ). The front window was a single pane of flat glass with a single wiper mounted above the driver. Only right hand drive
2378-452: The war and thus used technologies commonly used in Britain or America. But Toyota did not partner with a foreign company, so it was free to use German designs. Many features of the prototype Beetle were subsequently put into the SA, although the Beetle's rear-mounted air-cooled engine feature was not used. Later on, Toyota revisited the economic principles exemplified by the Beetle when designing
Toyota AA - Misplaced Pages Continue
2436-411: The war years but most partnered with British or American companies after the war and thus used technologies commonly used in Britain or America. But Toyota did not partner with a foreign company, so it was free to use German designs. Many features of the prototype Beetle were subsequently put into the SA, although the Beetle's rear-mounted air-cooled engine feature was not used. Later on, Toyota revisited
2494-407: Was Toyota's first true post war design. It differed from all previous Toyota cars by having a 4-cylinder engine (previously a 6-cylinder was used), 4-wheel independent suspension (previously using rigid axles with leaf springs ) and a smaller, "ponton" influenced aerodynamic body. The project was driven by Kiichiro Toyoda under the wisdom of his father's ( Sakichi Toyoda ) words, "Stay ahead of
2552-508: Was a Type A with 2 cylinders removed. The BA was an austerity sedan, and used wood in its framing to conserve metal. This model is said to have been based on the Volvo PV 60 , but this is open to question, since the PV60 was not introduced until 1944, and did not enter production until 1946. Most of the prototypes of this Volvo were built in the 1942–1944 period. There is anecdotal information regarding
2610-488: Was copied from a purchased and reverse engineered 1933 Chevrolet Master , and the chassis and electrics were copied from Ford . Solid axles were used at both ends. Pressed metal discs were used for all 4 wheel rims (very modern for the time). Braking was by drums. The mechanicals were the same as used in the production AA, AB and G1 vehicles. The A1 was a fully enclosed, 4-door sedan, with conventional front-hinged front doors and rear-hinged suicide-style rear doors. It
2668-451: Was heavily based on the Chrysler built DeSoto Airflow , which was a reflection of Art Deco and streamlined appearances. Toyoda bought an Airflow and disassembled it the year before producing the A1. The front window was a single piece of flat glass with a top-mounted wiper on the driver's side. There were 3 windows per side, one for the front door (without a quarter light window), one for
2726-596: Was introduced in January 1947, with a prototype (which had been under development for more than a year) being completed at that time. Production occurred from October 1947 through May 1952 (overlapping with the 1949-introduced SD), with a total of only 215 being built. The first car to be produced by Toyota in the postwar period was the AC, which had first been produced in 1943-1944. Fifty were built for government and military use in 1947, and three more were assembled in 1948. Since only 54 cars were built by Toyota in 1947, this leaves four Model SA production cars to be built at
2784-556: Was made from the four-cylinder RH sedan by using the Type B six-cylinder engine and a longer front end. This later became the BH26 patrol by using the Crown RS body with the same RH chassis, Type B engine and BHR extended front end. Similarly, the BH28 ambulance was made by converting the BH26 police sedan into a van body. Even later, the Type B engine was upgraded to the F engine and they were renamed as
2842-411: Was made from the four-cylinder RH sedan by using the Type B six-cylinder engine and a longer front end. This later became the BH26 patrol by using the Crown RS body with the same RH chassis, Type B engine and BHR extended front end. Similarly, the BH28 ambulance was made by converting the BH26 police sedan into a van body. Even later, the Type B engine was upgraded to the F engine and they were renamed as
2900-602: Was offered with commercial bodies only but many dealers and owners had sedan bodies made for them. Toyota contracted the Kanto Denki factory to produce a sedan body and wagon on the SB chassis as the SC. There was also a cab-over walk-through van model, the 1952 Toyopet Route Van. The body of the Route Van was built by Shin-Nikkoku Kogyo (now Nissan Shatai) , a special-purpose manufacturing company that originally built streetcars and buses. A small number of police cars were made for
2958-496: Was offered with commercial bodies only but many dealers and owners had sedan bodies made for them. Toyota contracted the Kanto Denki factory to produce a sedan body and wagon on the SB chassis as the SC. There was also a cab-over walk-through van model, the 1952 Toyopet Route Van. The body of the Route Van was built by Shin-Nikkoku Kogyo (now Nissan Shatai) , a special-purpose manufacturing company that originally built streetcars and buses. A small number of police cars were made for
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#17328525616743016-468: Was offered. Toyota engineers (including Dr Kumabe) had visited Germany before World War II and had studied the 16-cylinder Auto Union racing car (independent suspension) and Porsche and Volkswagen designs (independent suspension, aerodynamic bodies, backbone chassis, rear-mounted air-cooled engines, economical production cost). Many Japanese companies had ties with Germany during the war years but most partnered with British or American companies after
3074-472: Was placed on an old barn, where it was later discovered by a 25-year-old student who called the museum. It is unknown how the car ever got to Russia. The AC was similar to the AA, with only minor alternations to the body. The front glass was now a split into left and right halves with thick metal body work between them. Design work began in 1938. A total of 115 AC sedans was produced from 1943 until 1948 with no direct replacement as production efforts focused on
3132-529: Was prevented by war time restrictions. The EA was designed in 1938 but did not go into production. A small front-mounted, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke Type E engine connected as front-wheel drive . The EB was a rear-wheel-drive minicar derived from the DKW-inspired EA type , but production was prevented by wartime restrictions. The EB was designed in 1938 but did not go into production. A small front-mounted, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke Type E engine installed at
3190-508: Was produced from 1936 to 1942. There was no direct replacement. Like the previous model, the AA was a fully enclosed 4-door sedan that largely copied the design of the Chrysler built DeSoto Airflow . It had a metal body on a metal ladder chassis . The metal body was of modern construction compared to the fabric-over-wooden-frame bodies used on cars designed in the 1920s. The rear doors opened backwards as suicide doors . The front glass spanned
3248-412: Was the last passenger car development until after the war ended. The following table is a portion of that put out by Toyota, and represents passenger car production only, apparently not including prototypes: Toyota SA The SA was Toyota's first new passenger car design (as opposed to updating the AA ) after World War II . It was the first in a family of vehicles before the introduction of
3306-434: Was used with conventional semi-elliptical springs and solid axles front and rear. The SB light truck was offered with commercial bodies only but many dealers and owners had sedan bodies made for them. Toyota contracted the Kanto Denki factory to produce a 4-door, 4-seat sedan body and wagon on the SB chassis as the SC. However, production of the SA sedan continued and the SC was not put into production. When production of
3364-434: Was used with conventional semi-elliptical springs and solid axles front and rear. The SB light truck was offered with commercial bodies only but many dealers and owners had sedan bodies made for them. Toyota contracted the Kanto Denki factory to produce a 4-door, 4-seat sedan body and wagon on the SB chassis as the SC. However, production of the SA sedan continued and the SC was not put into production. When production of
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