Posted Jan 21 2009, 09:09 AM by Mike Garrett with 16 comment(s)

I was reading through some of the comments on the Auto Salon kei car post, when I realized that we haven't posted anything about the Suzuki-built Autozam AZ-1 that was sold by Mazda during the early 1990's. It was basically a kei-sized version of an exotic car, complete with an MR engine layout and gullwing doors. With less than 5000 built, they are extremely rare and I've only seen a couple during the past year I've been Japan.

I found this photo of Watanabe and fender flare-equipped version on a Japanese owner's site called Advent. Check out the site for more photos of cool AZ-1's.

-Mike Garrett


Comments

BlueSlug said:

i would so import one of those to canada, if only i would fit :( haha

.

they look like great fun though!

January 21, 2009 12:04 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

MR_MacGyver said:

The AZ-1 deserves to be one of the coolest cars of all time!! It will save more whales than the Toyota Prius, and have you pasted to your seat in style at the same time! The perfect street car... I'm so glad that it made a speedhunters post for Mazda month. I have wanted one of these since I found out what it was from gran turismo 4. Unfortunately for this masterpiece, It came out a decade too early for people to recognize its full potential... I WANT ONE!!!!!!

January 21, 2009 12:37 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

drift kid said:

i love these cars, any one seen the re ameimia version, awsome.

January 21, 2009 1:00 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Akai-Oni said:

Back in the late 90s I remember a kei-grip team that used to show up at some of the runs around Hiroshima. They kept to themselves but they had a couple of AZ-1s, Honda Beat, and a Cappuccino and went completely balls out.

January 21, 2009 9:20 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

STJ said:

Its realy strange why sport Kei-cars aren't popular in Japan. Normal Kei-cars sell like crazy, but the sport models are always flops. The copen is the only sport Kei on the market now, and it isn't a real one its FF.

January 21, 2009 9:22 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Cornholio said:

looks like a NSX toy

January 21, 2009 9:22 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

luis said:

Nice, AZ1 forever! i would have one! completely redone, with carbonfibre pieces and a super engine!

January 21, 2009 10:03 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Sean said:

This would be so much fun, probably more than an Elise. Just needs some more power.

January 21, 2009 10:10 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

takumi said:

show the RE Amemyia GReddyⅥ-AZ1! that's the top AZ-1 ever made!

January 21, 2009 10:26 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Naga_Ten said:

Ah, nice! One of the ABC's of Kei-cars.

(A)Z-1 by Mazda

(B)eat by Honda

(C)apuccino by Suzuki

January 21, 2009 10:48 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

TBlake said:

Almost looks like an 80's MR2.

January 21, 2009 11:25 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Cueman said:

nah... it's way better looking than any AW11.  Love the total absense of a rear overhang.

Thanks Mike.

January 21, 2009 12:14 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Easy E said:

I found out about this car a few years ago, and I have been obsessed with owning one ever since... I think it would be one of the coolest old cars to have.... Imagine the looks you would get driving that thing around outside of Japan... Classic!!!

January 21, 2009 12:58 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

murs said:

cool

January 21, 2009 1:19 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

reckless_abandon said:

DO WANT!  more az1 coverage!

January 21, 2009 7:10 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

zanthrax said:

Even today those thing look really cool, while the design is 16 years old.

And again we have more proof that Watanabe's make any cars look better.

January 22, 2009 12:25 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters