- The AZ-1 was imported from Japan into the US last year.
- Classic Kei car has been driven just 2,200 miles since new.
- Power comes from a 657 cc engine with 64 hp and 63 lb-ft.
Kei cars have a way of charming buyers, and that list now runs all the way up to President Trump. Of all the Kei machines sold in Japan and later imported to the US, the 1993 Autozam AZ-1 ranks near the top for sheer presence. The proportions read like a Ford RS200 and a Ferrari F40 left in the dryer too long, and this particular one could be your next tiny supercar.
Mazda built the AZ-1 under its Autozam brand across just two model years. The car ran a mid-mounted engine and sent power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual, and it lifted its gullwing doors on a segment that had seen almost none of those things before.
Also: Honda’s Z Looks Like A Kei Crossover, But It’s A Mid-Engined Hot Hatch
Total production came to roughly 4,400. Around 150 of those passed through Mazdaspeed, this one among them, which places it among the rarest kei cars ever built and one of the most coveted.
Bring a Trailer
Listed for auction on Bring a Trailer out of San Rafael, California, this AZ-1 Mazdaspeed was imported into the US last year and has been driven just 3,600 km (2,200 miles) since new, clearly spending most of its time locked away.
Read: Mazda’s Kei Supercar Only Has 63 HP But Still Pulls Miata Money
Mazdaspeed made several upgrades to the AZ-1, including a distinctive, more aggressive body kit with a new hood, front bumper, and fixed rear wing. It’s also equipped with front and rear strut bars, a limited-slip differential, and a new stainless steel exhaust. This one has also been fitted with aftermarket 13-inch wheels.
Small And Light
Bring a Trailer
Like the exterior, the interior of the car is trimmed in red and black and is mostly original, though it has been equipped with a modern Kenwood stereo.
Read: Trump Saw These “Really Cute” Cars In Japan And Now Wants Them On US Roads
In terms of power, the AZ-1 relies on a small 657 cc (0.6-liter), mid-mounted, naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine that delivered 64 hp and 63 lb-ft (85 Nm) when the car was new. While that’s not a lot, the tiny rear-wheel drive sports car weighs just 1,587 lbs (720 kg), so we’re sure it’s plenty of fun to drive.
According to one BaT user, this very car sold at a Japanese auction last year for 5,595,000 yen or around $34,600 at current exchange rates. The auction closes within the week for anyone ready to add it to the collection. Check out the listing over here.
