Lot Ended
Description
2005 Daihatsu Copen
Cutesey Kei car with
massive service history; smart with working electric hard top; 52,000 miles
only
The
Daihatsu Copen was designed to conform to the strict regulations for Kei cars in
Japan, small capacity (and size) vehicles that attracted less tax and were
perfectly suited to driving around Japan's ancient and highly congested cities.
They
had a brief spell of popularity around Europe too, not because of the tax
advantages as these didn’t exist, but the ancient and highly congested cities
certainly did. Now that the latest Mini is the size of an old Volvo estate,
perhaps it would be a good time to encourage their use on our overcrowded
roads!
The
Copen may have been pint-sized, but it still had plenty of go, its 660cc turbo
engine propelling the lightweight very well indeed. Although diminuative, they
were brilliantly packaged, with plenty of space for full-size occupents. Jeremy
Clarkson famously used one to tour the various manufacturer stands at the Geneva
show for Top Gear in 2001, driving around the crowded hall in a Copen to make
the point.
What
can we say about this superb bright-red example. It looks like it has
barely left the showroom and the clever electric top works beautifully.
The
car has only covered 52,000 miles from new and the service book shows 18
services (16 stamps and two two additional invoices). It has clearly been very
well cared for and the V5C shows three former keepers. The 'no advisory' MOT
expires in June this year.
The only very minor fly in the ointment
is a small patch in front of the rear offside wheel (photographed) where
the tie-down strap has rubbed the paintwork which happened when the car was
delivered.
A Modern Classic if ever we saw one, this car offers
economical fun, ease of parking and plenty of go.
For more
information - toby.service@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT