Rinkai Kaizoe '83
While many kei cars on the market in 1983 were built primarily for practicality and value, Rinkai used a different approach. They saw plenty of opportunities in a kei car with a lower overall weight, and the Kaizoe (介添え; helper) was built with special attention to driving enjoyment.
The base T model came standard with a turbocharged 550 cc inline-three mated to a four-speed manual transmission, while the S model benefitted from an 8 kW (11 hp) power increase, disc brakes, lighter wheels, and stiffer suspension.
The Kaizoe quickly found buyers in those looking for a fun car on a budget, and it became one of the most popular kei cars of the mid-1980s, cementing Rinkai as a reputable producer of lightweight daily drivers.
T
SPECS
Layout FF
Engine Name RIK1-3S
Aspiration TB
Displacement 550 cc
Peak Power 38 kW (51 hp) @ 6900 RPM
Peak Torque 60 Nm (44 ft-lb) @5300 RPM
Weight 774 kg (1707 lb)
Weight Distribution Front/Rear 58/42
STARTING PRICE
¥255,600 JDM
COLOURS
Maroon
Marsh Green
Coastal Blue
Snow Grey
Sumi Black
Layout FF
Engine Name RIK1-3S
Aspiration TB
Displacement 550 cc
Peak Power 38 kW (51 hp) @ 6900 RPM
Peak Torque 60 Nm (44 ft-lb) @5300 RPM
Weight 774 kg (1707 lb)
Weight Distribution Front/Rear 58/42
STARTING PRICE
¥255,600 JDM
COLOURS
Maroon
Marsh Green
Coastal Blue
Snow Grey
Sumi Black
S
SPECS
Layout FF
Engine Name RIK1-3S
Aspiration TB
Displacement 550 cc
Peak Power 46 kW (62 hp) @ 7800 RPM
Peak Torque 65 Nm (48 ft-lb) @ 6100 RPM
Weight 790 kg (1741 lb)
Weight Distribution Front/Rear 58/42
STARTING PRICE
¥349,600 JDM
COLOURS
Maroon
Marsh Green
Coastal Blue
Snow Grey
Sumi Black
Layout FF
Engine Name RIK1-3S
Aspiration TB
Displacement 550 cc
Peak Power 46 kW (62 hp) @ 7800 RPM
Peak Torque 65 Nm (48 ft-lb) @ 6100 RPM
Weight 790 kg (1741 lb)
Weight Distribution Front/Rear 58/42
STARTING PRICE
¥349,600 JDM
COLOURS
Maroon
Marsh Green
Coastal Blue
Snow Grey
Sumi Black