Kuno (Japan) - AllCarIndex
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1960-1960
The 1960 Kuno Hama car, officially known as the Toyopet Custom Sports, represents a unique intersection of innovation and style in the post-war automotive landscape of Japan. Built on the chassis of the first-generation Crown, this custom four-seater sports car featured an original design with a lightweight plastic body, showcasing the era’s shift towards modernity and customization.
Standing at 27 cm lower than the standard Crown, the Toyopet Custom Sports boasted a strikingly sleek and contemporary profile that set it apart from its contemporaries. Its design was the brainchild of Hama Motoki, a talented graduate from the Design Department of Tokyo University of the Arts, whose vision earned him the prestigious Ikeda Hayato Minister of International Trade and Industry Award at the 6th Synthetic Resin Industry Research Association Plastic Products Exhibition in 1960.
Produced by Kuno Motors Co., Ltd., which was founded in Kagurazaka, Tokyo, the car's launch came at a pivotal time when Japan's automotive industry was rapidly evolving. The company recognized the growing demand for customization as domestic cars began mass production. Utilizing the sturdy chassis of the Crown, primarily known for its use in taxis, Kuno Motors implemented a FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) body design. This approach allowed for greater flexibility in production, facilitating the creation of multiple models while reducing manufacturing costs.
Only five units of the Toyopet Custom Sports were produced, with a price tag of 1.35 million yen, significantly higher than the Crown Deluxe, which retailed at 965,000 yen. This exclusivity, combined with its innovative design and engineering, positions the Kuno Hama car as a noteworthy example of automotive creativity during a transformative period in Japan's history. Its presence at exhibitions such as the "Behind the Scenes" showcase underscores its significance as a pioneering model that captured the spirit of customization and modernity in the 1960s automotive scene.
