Your preview of some historic models from Tanaka definitely has me piqued…
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The 1st generation Tanaka Aventis, the start of a success.
In 1965, Tanaka Motors was created. Tanaka needed a car. So, he hired some of his workers and friends from the bicycle shop and use their know-how to make their first car, the Tanaka Aventis. It was powered by their A-Series engine. They were quite successful in Japan. In 1966, they brought it over to Europe where it also sold well. It was very cheap.
This is the Aventis 1.6 B. It uses the 1.6 litre A-Series engine making a modest 65HP. The engine has a single barrel eco carburetor. It can do 21 mpg. It was also very light, weighing in at 835kg. The engine was mounted longitudally, making it a RWD car. Despite that, it was easy to drive. It has a hydraulic power steering as standard. The interior was standard cloth with a basic AM radio. The tires were cross ply. It was a simple car for a simple man.
This is the Aventis 1.6 G. The 1.6 litre A-Series engine is now a twin carburetor instead of a single one in the 1.6 B which results in 80HP. The G has an upgrade to the radio. It is now standard AM radio. Fuel economy was increased to 21.7 mpg thanks to a semi-clad undertray.
The 1.8 S enhances the fun driving characteristics even more. The suspension is now lower, tire profile is slightly lowered, new wider medium compound radial tires, new magnesium 8-spoke rims and a sportier tuned suspension. The fuel system of the A-Series engine is now a performance 4 barrel single carburetor. DCOE is not used because it will decrease reliability. The engine displacement was also increased to 1.8 litres. A new body kit is equipped. Better brakes are also equipped. The car now has a stripe on the side of the car. This car was for the people who wants a fun everyday car.
Production of the 1st generation Aventis stopped in 1972 to be replaced with the newer 2nd generation which is coming soon. The reliabilty of the Aventis was a little bit low because of the carburetors. Other than that, the car was quite solid.
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1st generation Tanaka Aventus, Japanese luxury
The 1st generation Tanaka Aventis gathered enough profit to design another car. So, Tanaka built another car, the Tanaka Aventus. It is made for comfort and luxury. They created their own I6, called the S-Series. It makes about 133HP. It was a 3 litre Inline 6 with a mechanical fuel injection in hopes of increasing reliability. At least, it was better than the Aventis, but still a little bit low. The interior is made of luxurious leather. The safety was now advanced 70s. Hydraulic power steering is standard. This car has everything you want in a mass production luxury car.
This is the Aventus 3.0 G. It is the base model of the Aventus. The radio was a premium 8-track. Alloy wheels are standard and are wrapped inside medium-compound tires.The suspension is soft. It can do 15 mpg.
This is the Aventus 3.0 L. Tanaka wanted to differentiate the top-of-the-line model from the base model. These changes include mirrors on the fender, chrome striping on the doors and chrome alloy rims. It now has a luxury 8-track radio. It can also do 15 mpg.
A facelift is due in 1977 with help from Harada. Production of the 1st generation ends in early 1978.
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Looking great! Very classy design! Reminds me of the Toyota Century, would make a good competitor for it.
I feel like the headlights are similar to the design on the Arion Buckingham '75 hehe.
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Hokuto Sakuta competition! Sweet!
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Does this car use the 2.8m wheelbase body?
Yes, it does.
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welp I am nearly out of business, I hope your happy…….
- Harada Motor Corporaton Logo
Tanaka Heavy Industries Logo -
Harada investing on Tanaka Heavy Industries in 1973
As you know, Harada Motor Corporation (@asami’s company) is a very well known company. In 1973, they decided to invest in Tanaka. The main reason is that they saw a great potential in the company. In return, Tanaka to share a platform with Harada for the 2nd generation Aventis (coming soon). In 1977, Tanaka asked Harada to make the Aventus more reliable. As a result, the engine was more powerful and the car was faster and more reliable. That was the facelifted version (coming soon). Still to this day, Harada has a share in Tanaka Heavy Industries.
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The Facelift of the 1st Generation Tanaka Aventus
The Aventus got a facelift 1977. Harada helped them with the facelift. The most notable changes are the new fascia design, the new taillights and the new rims.
The engine is also more powerful. It now makes 147HP. That means its top speed is higher. The car is also slightly more reliable. It can still do 15 mpg. (thanks @asami!)
This is the 3.0 L. This is perhaps one of the more famous models of Tanaka. It has a new chrome front lip. They ditched the fender mirrors. But most importantly, it is supercharged as opposed to a less reliable turbocharger. Yep, you heard that right, SUPERCHARGED! It has a roots style supercharger. The engine, together with the supercharger makes around 240HP (as tested in Beam.NG drive. That is a 93HP increase.
The best thing is that it now has enough power to do a burnout! Still with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an open differential. Here is proof that it has a supercharger: This is the Beam.NG car file. Download and have fun with it…
Beam.NG Zip file in Google Drive: tanaka_aventus_3_0_l_facelift.zip - Google Drive
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supercharged? do you think you could explain what you did to do that? i’m curious!
Here’s a video on how make a supercharger in Beam.NG drive…
Video link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QSrNMxHi374
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The 1st Generation Tanaka Atlantis, Very Very 90s…
Tanaka never had a midsize sedan. So, the Atlantis was introduced in 1995. It was a very popular car. It was also very affordable which means some high school students would buy these brand new as their first car.
The USDM Tanaka Atlantis 3.0 G shown
It was a very reliable car too. In the 90s, Tanaka saw an increase in quality. That means that reliability was increased. While in the 80s, things used to break quickly because of all the digital stuff, things got better in the 90s. This was a huge milestone for the company.
The USDM Tanaka Atlantis 2.0 B shown
The B versions were only available for the 4-cylinder model. This is the most basic trim level. It can do 34.3 mpg. The 4-cylinder produces a mere 119HP. It is only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. It is equipped with a basic cassette player with a standard interior.
The USDM Tanaka Atlantis 2.0 G shown
The G versions are the top of the line trim levels. They can be equipped with a 124HP 4-cylinder or a 163HP V6. It can be equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission. It now has a standard casette player.
The JDM-only Tanaka Atlantis 3.0 TR shown
The TR version was introduced in 1996, the same time the 2nd generation X-Series was released. It was only available in Japan. It uses the same engine as the X-Series, the 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 producing 276HP. It can do 0-60mph in 5.82 seconds because if its new AWD system. It now has a 6-speed manual transmission. The top speed is now 147mph. It also has a new body kit, new wing and new magnesium rims. These versions are very popular with tuners.
Production of the 1st generation Atlantis stopped at 2010 with the 2nd generation replacing it at the same year.
(NOTE: THIS POST WILL BE UPDATED WITH A FACELIFT IN 2003)
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Yes very very 90’s.
It’s called lying to the customer for a reason.
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It’s called the “Gentleman’s Agreement.” It’s not lying, it’s Law. 
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Yeah I was making a joke about how the Gentleman’s Agreement existed, but cars would secretly make way more than 276 HP and just lie
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It wasn’t law, it was a simple mutual agreement between manufacturers.
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That tiny little kei car… (Tanaka Hawaii, 2012-present)
A scene of the Tanaka Hawaii advertisement in 2015 -
Totally not kidding...
The Tanaka Hawaii was introduced in 2012 as a kei car. Tanaka designed a 660cc Turbocharged Inline 3 producing 64HP just for the Hawaii. It was called the KC-Series (“KC06DI-A1 EarthBoost” used in the Hawaii). But, an naturally aspirated and higher-revving version was created for motorcycle engines in 2013. The Hawaii is a kei car that is used for transporting your family and many adventures. All trims except the Premium have optional AWD for the snowy roads in some parts of Japan.
Tanaka Hawaii Basic shown
This is the Basic. This car is as basic as you can get. The interior is made of basic cloth with a basic CD player. This trim is equipped with 14-inch steel wheels with a hubcap over it. The transmission is a 5-speed manual. The FWD version can do 51mpg while the AWD version can do 49.9mpg.
Tanaka Hawaii Prestige shown
This is the Prestige. It now has standard leather seats, 15-inch alloy rims, fully-clad undertray, chrome trim, fog lights and an advance 5-speed automatic transmission. The FWD version can do 49mpg while the AWD can do 48mpg.
The facelifted Tanaka Hawaii Basic on the left and the Prestige on the right…
The facelifted version was introduced in 2015. They got rid of the CD player and replaced it with a basic infotainment system instead. The headlights and taillights are now LED. The front bumper was also new. Parking sensors are also added and the Prestige has a new rim design. The blinkers on the fender is also new. The rear bumper is also slightly changed.
Tanaka Hawaii Premium shown
Apart from the new exterior and interior improvements, 2015 also brought a new trim level called the Premium. The changes include two-tone (chrome and black) alloy rims, new body kit and a standard infotainment system (instead of basic in other trim levels). It can do 46.5mpg.
The Hawaii is a very popular car in Japan. It is one of the most popular Tanaka vehicle in Japan. With the success of the Hawaii, Tanaka is looking forward to making new kei cars.
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