Toyota Sports 800
The Toyota Sports 800 (Yota-Hachi or 'Yota-8') represented Toyota's philosophy of lightweight efficiency. Built on the compact Publica platform, it featured distinctive fastback coupe styling with a removable Targa-style roof panel. The air-cooled 790cc horizontally-opposed twin produced just 45 hp but the car weighed only 1,278 lbs, enabling peppy performance and exceptional fuel economy exceeding 40 mpg. Aerodynamic attention was remarkable for the era, with a drag coefficient of just 0.35. The tiny sports car featured a backbone chassis, four-wheel independent suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering. Build quality was typical Toyota: simple, reliable, and practical. While never exported officially, the Sports 800 proved popular in Japan for economy-minded enthusiasts and succeeded in racing, particularly in endurance events where its reliability and efficiency shined. Only 3,131 were built over four years, making survivors extremely rare. Today it's highly collectible as an early Toyota sports car and charming example of Japanese lightweight philosophy.
Extremely rare with only 3,131 produced. Most survivors are in Japan. Verify authenticity as some Publica sedans were converted. Check engine condition - rebuilds require specialist knowledge and parts are scarce. Inspect carefully for rust throughout. Targa top condition and seal integrity important. Complete cars essential as replacement parts don't exist. Expect to pay premium prices for running examples. Join Sports 800 registries for authentication and parts leads. Values are rising rapidly as rarity is recognized. Consider professional inspection before purchase. Most examples will need restoration work.