Daihatsu Bee
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| Bee | |
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| Manufacturer | Daihatsu |
| Also called | ビィー |
| Production | 1951 |
| Assembly | Japan |
| Class | Microcar |
| Body style(s) | Coupé |
| Layout | RR |
| Engine(s) | 540 cc |
The Daihatsu Bee is a three wheeled microcar that was produced by Daihatsu Kogyo Co Ltd from 1951.
Although Daihatsu had been producing motorized tricycles for carrying freight since 1930, and had produced a small car for military use in 1937, the Bee was the first passenger car the company had built for sale to the general public. The car was marketed from October 1951, shortly before the company changed its name from Hatsudoki Seizo Co to Daihatsu.
Photographs show the car with a two door fibreglass body, though other sources[1] state that it had a four door body and was popular as a taxi. Power was provided by a rear mounted 540 cc OHV air-cooled two-cylinder four stroke engine.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Georgano, G.N. (Editor) (1982). Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars. London: Ebury Press. ISBN 0-85223-234-9.
(Japanese) Company Milestones. Daihatsu. Retrieved on 2007-10-30.
[edit] External links
- Source of secondary information about the car
- (German) Photographs of the Bee showing the engine and other views
- Daihatsu publicity photograph of their museum car
- Daihatsu archive photograph of the Bee
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