The IkaMagic Motoring Organisation: Be Like Water.
This is my attempt at a more chronological line-up while at the same time learning different elements and car designs from the contemporary periods of the 1970s and beyond, making them fit into these respective times. I encourage constructive feedback so that I can learn how to better my car designs and make them even better next time. Thank you!
Also I forgot to mention that I wanna thank @Aruna for helping me make the preliminary design for my logo.
The IkaMagic motoring brand started in the early half of mid-1971, the company itself being the brainchild of a former Japanese stockbroker named Hiroshi Ikazaki while wandering around the metropolitan district of Tokyo as a break from getting a taxi at age 31. Having saved up a nest egg of money from his work as a salaryman, he called in tomorrow to retire and use his considerable amount of capital that he had earned from his job to make a car manufacturing company that concentrates on the things he saw that fateful day.
He had analysed other cars as well, noticing that many of the cars in the city have a common trend: Either they are small and economical, or highly luxurious cars that show off status. This given a brainwave to the budding car manufacturer that crossed the two together to form a rather small car that also combines elements of luxury. Another inspiration learnt from a business trip to Europe half a year ago was to make something that also was sporty in the sense of having the engine and the drive in the rear, making for a car that not only feels fun to drive but also has a sense of prestige from the looks.
Drawing up the inspiration that he had, he established IkaMagic on April 25th of 1971, beginning to manufacture the car that he had drawn up from experimental sketches and to be produced in limited numbers.
The car itself has been deemed a class that Ikazaki himself refers to as a Petit-Luxe car, combining the small form factor of the city car yet differentiating it in a way that makes it stand out as a car that shows status compared to the rest. The first car to be made is the PL-First, a car that was said to “bottle style and nimbleness into a distinct character”. Such car was invented to compete with the likes of contemporary cars that were considered ‘beautiful’ by popular media and to make a hidden gem that customers can actually enjoy.
Thus, the PL-First was born. This car not only looks the part amongst its contemporaries, but it also has the much-needed performance that Ikazaki was seeking with a car like this. The car itself has received a bit of buzz when first announced, but many people had remained sceptical of the little convertible, thinking that the odds of it ever being made are nigh on impossible. However, the car had made its way to production in late 1971, birthing the very limited car into the competitive market of sports cruisers. With production of the facility resorting to meticulous quality and inspection, there were only 50 of them produced every year, a true testament to wanting to ensure that every car they release comes to the customer to a standard that they feel proud of.
Once the car was released into production, the media had picked up of such a thing, being wowed with the many features that it had packed itself in compared with other cars of its age. The interior was described as ‘being in a limousine’, the AM radio providing superior audio quality due to getting licensing rights from Riviera Acoustics, known for being highly renowned for their radio equipment. Safety was also a priority, providing advanced contemporary safety to the front and side to increase chances of survivability for the driver.
Not only did it pack the prestigious luxury of the grand sedans of its time, but it also had the sporty looks and engine to show itself off for the convertible sports car class. It also packed a 3,300cc inline-6 engine at the rear that drives the rear wheels, packing 230HP into a steel body adorned with light aluminium. This level of punch means that it has a maximum speed of 148mph when tested. Such speed meant that it was able to be treated close to a supercar, the luxury of it also helping to sway that classification into its favour.
When people had first heard of this car, they were awestruck to see this kind of car being made, with such meticulous care being put into every detail of the body and the interior. Such a small car packing the features of a sedan with large stature is rarely heard of in Japan, especially when regular citizens are thinking of saving money! But when it was shown to the public during the 1971 Tokyo Motor Show, not only the Japanese were left staring at it, but also everyone else!
The car was also retailed to be sold for $56k at the time, suiting the luxury bill for such a machine. It came in a choice of four colours:
Orders have sold out within the first month, making delivery much harder for the company. 15 units sold to European customers, while 25 were sold to the Japanese, and 10 to Americans. It took them 11 months to get the cars manufactured while carefully making sure that everyone gets the same quality for each vehicle sent out. More and more customers have shown interest over time, but 50 units could still only be produced to get them sent out in time for their customers. It is one of IkaMagic’s rarest and most memorable machines of their early years, with them only appreciating in value with each passing year. It was a car that either meant success or failure, and despite its scarcity, it became an instant cult-classic.
Specifications:
Engine: Aluminium 3,300cc Inline 6 block, forged steel internals, Rear-Longitudinal position, 229HP@6000RPM (Redline). Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valve. 4-barrel performance twin carburettor.
Body and Frame: Corrosion-resistant-steel monocoque, Aluminium panel body, semi-clad downforce undertray.
Drive: Rear-wheel.
Gearbox: Manual 5-speed, open differential.
Running Gear: Double wishbone front and rear hydro-pneumatic suspension, 155/200 14-inch mesh alloy wheels on medium compound radial tyres. Solid disc brakes on both sides, 50/50 brake bias.
Weight: 1070KG.
Interior: Hand-made leather seats, luxury Riviera Acoustics 8-track player/AM Radio, leather steering wheel, leather and mahogany dashboard and door trim.
