1981 F&S Jikan "Triple Threat"
With British Leyland on the verge of collapse with notorious poor quality, British-Japanese conglomerate F&S seized the opportunity to break in to the ever growing family and city car markets. A second opportunity presented itself over the pond with the change of tastes from binge drinkers to a more ascetic automobile. Having cut their teeth since the early 50’s on lightweight sports cars, with ample success in endurance racing which followed through to the dealers in their right hand drive home markets, the time was ripe for expansion. The decision was made - it’s time to conquest the 50 states.
Enter the Jikan. A subcompact city vehicle for the Kei market in Japan and a Metro murderer in Britian. That was the plan, at least. But for the states, a bare bones economy car would throw F&S on the backfoot. There were plently of oddballs from Europe trying to fill that space. No, that would not do for a company with such motorsport magnificence. Something had to be done to the Jikan aside from throwing the steering wheel on the wrong side. A little extravagance from marketing and enough capsaicin to tempt the young locals from their asthmatic ponies. With a bored and stroked version of the new all aluminium turbocharged SOHC 9 valve 3 cylinder engine, the “Triple Threat” entered the showrooms with 70hp, 700kg, 4 on the floor and enough quirk to afford a second glance.
But the oil crisis is nearly a decade in the past. Will America embrace the three cylinder oddity of wasabi and worcester sauce with a friendly face or friendly fire?
