Random # 337: a Boxer-Powered 1964 Toyota 700

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Hands up everyone who thinks the Subaru-powered 86 was Toyota's first foray into boxer-engined cars.  Wrong!  (This includes me, by the way.)  


Turns out their 700 - or Publica or Paburika (model code UP10), depending on the market into which it was sold - was powered by a horizontally-opposed two cylinder engine waayyy back in 1961.  Not only that, various versions of the 700 - sedans, wagons, vans, and utes - were offered packing flattie two pots until 1972.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Publica).  


As a 1964 edition, this 700 - photographed in southern Tasmania on a glorious Autumn day - is from the very early stages of that fairly long production run.  It looks pretty basic, featuring an auto 'box and what looked like an after-market heater / demister, but was in excellent, possibly even unrestored, condition.  


Its party-piece (other than being cute, obviously!)?  According to its Wikipedia entry, it did 85 miles per imperial gallon or 3.3 litres / 100 k in today's money (ibid.)!  I betcha you can't get that in a Prius or a hybrid Camry.  




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U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)









 

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