Mazda Suitcase Car
| Mazda Suitcase Car | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Also called | Prototype vehicle |
| Production | 1991 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Suitcase |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 33.6cc 1.7 Horsepower |
| Propulsion | Two-stroke engine |
Mazda Suitcase Car (1991) was a prototype suitcase vehicle created by the Mazda company. The suitcase opened up to reveal a functioning 3 wheeled gas powered vehicle that also had lights. The vehicle was created by Mazda engineers and showcased in the United States and Europe at Auto shows.
Background
The Mazda Suitcase Car never made it to production; it was built for car shows in Europe and the United States.[1] The idea for the car came from Mazda engineer Yosheni Kanemoto.[2] In 1991 Kanemoto along with other Mazda engineers from an internal company research group, created the vehicle as a company contest called Fantasyard. The contest called for a creative product which is a moving machine.[3] The car had stubby handlebars with a twist throttle like a motorcycle and it had three wheels. The cost to build the prototype was US$5,000.[4] In 1992 The Associated Press published a photo of a Mazda executive driving the suitcase car through Times Square ahead of the 16 April 1992 New York International Automobile Show.[5]
Description
The suitcase weighed 32 kg (71 lb) and it was 57 cm × 75 cm (22.4 by 29.5 inches). The design began with a Samsonite suitcase and a pocket bike. The power plant was a 33.6cc 1.3 kW (1.7 hp) two-stroke engine.[3] The suitcase car was designed to go up to 30 km/h (19 mph).[1] There were slots in the case where the rear wheel axles could protrude and a slot through the case for a front wheel.[3] The car was equipped with turn signals and brake lights.[6] The car also had carpeting, disc brakes, headlights and a horn. No tools were needed to assemble the vehicle.[2]
Legacy
One of the prototype suitcase cars was accidentally destroyed after the 1991 Fantasyard event. There is only one Mazda Suitcase Car left.[3]
References
- ^ a b Oliva, Jacob (17 December 2020). "Remember When Mazda Made A Suitcase You Can Drive?". Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ a b Williams III, G.. Chambers (17 April 1992). "Little Car Spurs Big Interest". Santa Ana Orange County Register. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Mazda's Amazing Suitcase Car". Mazda. Mazda. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ Suitcase Car. Popular science. 1992. p. 21. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Suitcase to Go". Indiana Gazette. 16 April 1992. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Mazda's suitcase car is three-wheeled perfection". Autoweek. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2022.