Suzume Motor Manufacturing Industries
A Brief History
Suzume’s story begins in post-war Japan, after the breakup of the zaibatsus and war industry. Companies were forced to splinter, and properties and assets were scatted much to the wind. Suzume was one of the smaller manufacturers to come out of this, originally part of a naval construction corporation in Osaka.
Officially incorporated in 1947 when it produced its first model, the “Type One” (Kaikyu Ichi), an inexpensive miniature sedan.
The company slowly introduced more models over time, with a small truck available by the 1950’s. There was a brief (and utterly unsuccessful) flirtation with Kei cars in 1955. Instead, Suzume concentrated on modest transportation and a few sporty models until 1975.
At that time, 40 percent of Suzume was purchased by Ardent Motor Corporation, and the two automakers entered into a technology and manufacturing capacity share contract. This broadened Suzume’s market, as they were finally imported into North America for the first time. Simultaneously, it allowed Suzume to release their first true Kei model in their home market.
Today, Suzume manufactures a wide variety of models, with a focus on sport models and small sedans for Asian and South American markets.
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Kaikyu Ichi
1947 - 1951
1947 Suzume Kaikyu Ichi A-spec in Rising Sun Red
The earliest Suzume models were not particularly elegant or graceful in their design. Rather, their simplicity and low cost were their selling points.
With a 36 or 41 horsepower 1000cc engine employing one of two carburetors, and a 3-speed manual transmission, the best of these cars could reach 75 miles per hour.
The interiors were just as spartan as the exteriors. Vinyl seats, no carpeting, and a basic machined steel fascia on the dash made for an uninspiring experience.
However, with good reliability and better fuel economy than contemporaries such as the Ardent Starlight, it was a viable post-war car for Japan.
Trim pricing in 1947 (US equivalent):
A-spec - $629
B-spec - $639
Available colors:
Crane White
Night
Rising Sun Red
Spring Yellow
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interesting hood ornament:)
I could see this being turned into some cool hot rods
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Vic refurbished the thread. You should know, considering UE4 Automation and 2014.
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post was edited an hour ago, unless it was something I said
The hood ornament comment was great!
Vic should incorporate one of the mod hood ornaments angled downwards into his (early) Kaikyu designs now.
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Considering I need to soon work on the Kaikyu Ni… 
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Kaikyu Ni
1950 - 1957
1951 Suzume Kaikyu Ni A-spec in Bronze
Suzume’s investment as a company in the rebuilding of Japan was a serious focus in the early days. The need to create new forms of both personal transportation and company work vehicles drove them to design a second model immediately upon the release of the Kaikyu Ichi.
A single platform that could work for both purposes was penned. New motivation was also needed, as the 1 liter “Saisho Sen” engine was not considered by company executives to be strong enough.
A brilliant young engineer by the name of Hideki Akiyama was part of the team that drew up the new 1.2 liter overhead cam motor. His talent and work ethic were noticed by executives, and his effort was rewarded with a promotion to a senior design position within Suzume’s powertrain division. At 23 years of age, he became the youngest to hold such a position in company history, a feat that has not been matched since.
The new motor produced either 42 (1200E) or 51 (1200S) horsepower, depending on carburetor configuration. Both were available as an option on either trim level of the Kaikyu Ni. All models came with a 3-speed manual transmission.
The Kaikyu Ni was available in A-spec (5-seat micro-van) and C-spec (cargo van). Interior trimmings were spartan to keep both weight and cost to a minimum. An AM radio was optional, starting in '50 for the A-spec and '52 for the C-spec.
1950 Suzume Kaikyu Ni C-spec in Crane White
Trim pricing (in USD) in 1950:
A-spec, MSRP $819
C-spec, MSRP $799
Notable options:
AM radio ($69)
1200S engine (51HP) ($29)
Available colors:
Crane White
Bronze
Red Earth
Rising Sun
Spring Yellow
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Kaikyu San
1958 - 1964
1958 Suzume Kaikyu San in Tsushima Blue
The third distinct line of vehicles for fledgling manufacturer Suzume was originally intended to be a Kei car, to be released in '55. However, critical design issues sidelined any ambitions of producing a Kei at that time. Next in line, and already in the development pipe, was a sporty coupe. It receied the Kaikyu San designation, and started production in time for the 1958 sales campaign.
Powered by a refreshed and reconfigured 1.2 liter (designated 1200Z), with power output of 62 horses. This power boost was partly due to a sidedraft carburetor and headers, allowing both sides of the motor to breathe significantly better. The gearbox was still the standard 3-speed manual thus far seen on every Suzume.
By world standards, performance was not stellar. Kaikyu San reached 100 km/h in 15.1 seconds, and had a top speed of just 150 km/h. Then again, this was a budget 2-seat coupe, and the thrill factor it gave was through sharp, nimble steering for the time. And while Suzumes were known for no-frills trim, an AM radio was standard on this model.
Though officially designated only for the Japanese domestic market and a handful of SE Asian countries, a number of Kaikyu San were privately imported to Australia, Britain, and Canada.
1958 Suzume Kaikyu San
Trim pricing (in USD) in 1958:
A-spec, MSRP $1089
Available colors:
Crane White
Rising Sun
Spring Yellow
Tsushima Blue
Night
Morning Cloud
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