1983 Charmant A35 (badge-engineered Ke70)

[Hirst]

Hello Rollaclub people, see a few familiar names on here! Thought I'd register and get my foot in the door.

 

This is my Daihatsu Charmant A35, I'm sure you'll be familiar with the name as in terms of parts it is mechanically identical to the KE70. It has a 4K engine and 5 speed manual box just the same, it just looks different. They're a pretty obscure car worldwide, Daihatsu marketed it as an executive car back in the early 80s and as expected didn't really sell many. They faded into obscurity quite fast! It has a more obviously 80s look to the bodywork, very plush carpets and the most beige and brown interior ever. Asides from that it's a KE70 really.

 

In the short term I'm giving it a full service, fitting fender mirrors, a rev counter and sorting the rust before it gets any worse. In the medium term I'm going to sort out some nice Japanese wheels (SSR Mesh, Hayashis or something) and have the repaired rusty bits resprayed (in the same metallic beige, the colour is part of the charm). In the long term I'm going to tune up the 4K a little and if it blows up maybe plop a 20V 4AGE in. That would be a long way away though! The aims of the car are to keep it very plain looking though, I like it just the way it is really. Wanted one for years and now I'm done!

 

[Jason]

ill be shot, but that looks better than the ke70 espically the front end

[love ke70]

same suspension geometry n all?

[ancullen]

Those headlights look very Corona-ish. The whole car reminds me of my 1984 Honda Accord more than a KE70/AE71, especially the back end.

[Hiro Protagonist]

Those headlights look very Corona-ish. The whole car reminds me of my 1984 Honda Accord more than a KE70/AE71, especially the back end.

 

I'd say on a whole it looks more like a shrunk Mazda 626/929, can't put my finger on a year though

[7shades]

Absolutely reeks of Ford GA/GB Meteor/Mazda 323... Bumpers look like they are stolen off a 7 series volvo!... But I like it. Purely because its different. I say keep it nice and original externally with maybe slightly lowered springs and some classy rims.

 

nice work guvner ;)

Edited November 8, 2006 by 7shades

[ancullen]

Yep, definitely agree with the 626/929 comment. The rear is kind of similar to the Meteor/323 sedan, but then all those model Mazda's ended up looking extremely similar. I still like the early KE70 look better, but each to their own.

[JiP]

Do you have KE70's over there?? If not I'd organise some parts from here and turn that car into a KE70 (Tail Lights, early headlights). That way it would be like nothing anyone else has seen.

 

On the other side i do like the size of the bumpers, not as big as the KE70. I do like its headlights too. Not as ugly as the Late KE70/AE71.

 

Looks good tho. Whatever you do, be it keeping the same or modifying it, i'm sure i'd come out fine. I'll be watching this thread. ;)

 

Jon.

[Dan]

Do you have KE70's over there?? If not I'd organise some parts from here and turn that car into a KE70 (Tail Lights, early headlights). That way it would be like nothing anyone else has seen.

No way that they'd ever fit into the car without stupidly radical body modifications haha

[Trev]

So this is actually running a toyota 4K engine, Bit different to the normal daihatsu briggs and stratton (yes thats who makes them).

[7shades]

Aaah so that handle under the dash of my friend's charade isn't the handbrake... its a pull-start!

 

bwahahahahah

 

I'm hilarious

[Trev]

Aaah so that handle under the dash of my friend's charade isn't the handbrake... its a pull-start!

 

bwahahahahah

 

I'm hilarious

 

(sorry to flood, last post in this topic)

Yeah i had to laugh aswell, I had to pick up a V-Twin for 1 of the machines for work and it was from the Briggs & Stratton Daihatsu Corporation so i looked into it and seen that they make alot of the 2 and 3 cylinder vanguard engines.

Edited November 8, 2006 by Trev

[JiP]

So this is actually running a toyota 4K engine, Bit different to the normal daihatsu briggs and stratton (yes thats who makes them).

Come on!! A lawn mower would have more power than a 3 cylinder. ;)

Edited November 8, 2006 by JiP_01

[7shades]

Come on!! A lawn mower would have more power than a 3 cylinder. ;)

 

wrap your right foot around a suzuki alto works and say that, punk :D

[Hirst]

I like the KE70 rear lights but they'd not fit, the rear light unit on the Charmant is bigger as you get an inch of trim underneath whereas on a KE70 you get bodywork. Regarding the headlights, I think they're actually the same headlight/reflectors as the late KE70 but just shoved inside a bigger housing!

 

We do have KE70s over here but they're pretty rare and I like the look of it already. Just got some fender mirrors though!

 

And yes, same suspension geometry and all! Nothing wrong with Daihatsu engines though, have two Daihatsu turbo kei cars and they pack a fair bit more punch than this old 4K.

 

Just serviced it today, runs smoother now! Think it needs timing chain doing though.