by Japanese Kei Car Suzuki Cara: Rare Twin of the Iconic Autozam AZ-1
It seems kei cars are experiencing a real surge in popularity in the United States. Regulations regarding them are changing, many models are being imported thanks to the “25-year rule,” and even President Trump has expressed interest in selling new examples on the local market. With this in mind, now might be a good time to purchase such a car before demand drives prices up.
Just a week ago, we reported on a 1993 Autozam AZ-1 that sold at auction for a staggering $63,000. Now, another superb kei car has appeared at auction, and this time it’s a Suzuki Cara, which has never received the same attention as its twin.
Unique Rarity and Shared History
For those unfamiliar, the Cara is a rebadged version of the AZ-1. Although it lacks the brand recognition of Autozam, it has one serious advantage. Mazda produced 4,392 units of the AZ-1, but the total production of the Cara is estimated not to exceed 533 units, making it much rarer than its more famous twin.
Except that “rebadging” downplays Suzuki’s role. The entire concept traces its roots back to the 1985 Suzuki RS/1 mid-engined show car, and it was Suzuki that supplied the 657cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine used in both versions. Mazda’s team, led by MX-5 “father” Toshihiko Hirai, brought the idea into production, and then Suzuki sold its own version with minor trim changes.
This particular Cara is a 1993 example, imported to the USA in March of last year. It has covered approximately 32,000 km (20,000 miles) since production, and although this is almost 10 times more than the recently sold AZ-1, the Suzuki still looks very good. Someone obviously took care of it both in Japan and the States.
The Perfect Recipe for a Mini-Supercar
The car still has its original Classic Red color with Venetian Gray bumpers and side sills. It retains all the supercar-inspired features that made the AZ-1 special: from the hood air intake to the magnificent gullwing doors.
As with any true exotic car, regardless of size, the engine is located behind the cabin. However, the 657cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine produces only 64 hp and 63 lb-ft (85 Nm) of torque. The upside is that all the power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
Sporty Interior and Original Details
The interior looks just as sporty as the body, with a pair of fixed bucket seats upholstered in black fabric with red inserts. In front of the driver is a three-spoke steering wheel, and the car even retains its air conditioning and original cassette stereo.
Bidding on this tiny Suzuki ends in less than a week, so anyone wanting to get behind the wheel should hurry to the BaT website before the auction closes.
This case demonstrates that the kei car market in the USA is actively growing, and rare models such as the Suzuki Cara could become a profitable investment. Although the Cara does not have the same popularity as the Autozam AZ-1, its significantly smaller production run makes it a true find for collectors. It is worth noting that even with modest technical specifications, these cars attract not with power, but with unique design, history, and the feel of a true sports car in a compact format. The growing interest in such cars could lead to further price increases, so now might be the last chance to purchase them at a relatively moderate cost.
