Classic Kei Cars, the Fronte of the pack.

September 14, 2009

Those regular readers will be well aware of my recent purchase of a classic Kei car, the 2cylinder Daihatsu Max (360, Cuore, Fellow) in two door form. Well I’m not the only C110 owner to have recently delved into the classic Kei realm. Today’s entry will tell tale of Tony (fellow C110 hardtop owner) and his new toy. That the size of a toy.

And to tell the tale of the discovery and ownership is the owner himself. So get your read on! and enjoy the rest of the photographs and video along the way.

Ahh the Fronte; join the JDM 70′s Kei car extravaganza!

Author: Flauski

My first experience with a Fronte was about 5 years ago. Although it was not really a Fronte anymore. A mate was given one, completely butchered, huge flares, fats, a V8 in the back and it was chain driven! He had it sitting on a Mezzanine floor in his workshop/house. It never actually went though.

Then I happened across some earlier this year whilst on the www.oldschool.co.nz forum. I saw a dude from Palmerston North with a couple for sale, advertised as 2-stroke motors, I thought… “wtf?”

I did some internet research and couldn’t find jack. I did however, manage to establish that some Frontes came with 2 stroke motors (either 360cc or 475cc.) This intrigued me as I am a sucker for all that is different in the automotive realm. I HAD to have one.

I looked at the ones in Palmy but the owner had decided to keep the road legal four door. The two door he had (although in reasonable condition) was in a million pieces. I left there disappointed.

I have only seen two models of Fronte in NZ. Well… with the rear mounted rear wheel drive two stroke anyway. The earlier model (I had seen in NZ) I established as being the Suzuki Fronte LC50. Slightly less sporty looking and made from 1970-1973.

The other ones I had seen in Palmy and on the oldschool.co.nz forum (and better looking ones in my opinion) were known as the Suzuki Fronte CXG. In their homeland of Japan they were known as the Suzuki Cervo SS20 and were made between 1977-1982.

There can’t be too many countries left with two stroke models, they are pocket polluters and if NZ had emission laws I am sure they would be
extinct.

So with previously having no luck in attaining myself the wonders of a Suzuki Fronte of either 2-Stroke type, a couple of weeks ago when searching the trademe.co.nz auction site, I found my dream. A bright blue 1973 LC50 Suzuki Fronte. It looked tidy, rebuilt motor, complete, going and registration on hold.

I put a princely bid in and did not expect to win but…. I did! I already have a C110 Skyline/240K that needs the money but I made an exception.

So I jacked up a transporter to pick it up from Te Puke and it arrived last Wednesday.

I have been stung with buying cars unseen before, but this time I was pleasantly surprised. Good overall condition for a 1973 car. Originally green but completely resprayed blue to a reasonable level.

First time I started it I waited for the sound of the starter motor. Nothing… Just a quiet hum then ring ding ding ding as it kicked into life. Subsequently I have found out that there is no starter motor, but rather a generator.

Acceleration was smooth, and rev happy. It sounds like a bike or jetski. The exhaust is a modified car one, looks arse and is sure to be holding her
back. 475cc, air cooled, triple car goodness. I love it! Same feeling as driving a mini because it is soooo small. Gets oodles of looks as it buzzes by too.

Came with a draw bar that can be bolted to the front of the car for towing as well

I can’t wait to go in a convoy of two stroke cars from around NZ.

Gave it a cut and polish (as paint was hard core faded) and a glass clean, came out looking schmick!

And what would a two-smoke Classic Kei entry be without a YouTube clip or two, to witness the size and sound on a more personal level… So, without further delay, the videos promised;