1963 Daihatsu Compagnia Convertible

With origins dating back to 1907, when two Osaka University professors first began the Hatsudoki concern, building internal combustion engines at first then moving into trucks in 1919 and by 1930 had built Japan's first domestic automobile, the Model HA. Early three-wheelers soon gave way to four-wheeled models and a variety of new pint-sized models were appeared before war broke out.

When peace returned, Hatsudoki was transformed into Daihatsu in 1951 and resumed production of passenger vehicles for the domestic market. The Daihatsu Compagno (companion in Italian) was launched in 1963 and featured attractive styling by Italian design studio Vignale, a conventional layout, a 41bhp 797cc four-cylinder engine in the original 800 model and an all-synchromesh gearbox.

The original sedan was joined by a convertible and, from 1965, a 1000 model with a larger 958cc engine was made available. In total there were 120,000 of these endearing little cars built before production ceased in 1970, by which time Toyota had taken over the company. Building on the success of their Delta trucks, Daihatsu entered the Australian car market in the 1960s with the little Compagno Berlina and the four-door was sold alongside the station wagon, utility and convertible models.