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Mitsubishi
Motor Cars
1960s
Japan

History

Mitsubishi Minica 1st generation (LA 20/21/23)

Mitsubishi Minica 1st generation history (LA 20/21/23)

Production

1962 to 1969

Type

Motor Car

Body style

2-door sedan

Drive

Rear wheel drive

Wheel base

 74.10 in, 1900 mm
width  50.98 in, 1295 mm
length 117.91 in, 2995 mm

Engine

359 cc air-cooled two-stroke I2
ME21: 17 PS at 4,800 rpm
ME24: 18 PS at 4,800 rpm
ME24D: 21 PS at 5,500 rpm
2G10: 23 PS at 5,500 rpm

 

The Mitsubishi Minica 1st generation was a small microcar in the Japanese Kei -car class, the Mitsubishi Motors produced in October 1962 and built over eight generations.

History

 The first Minica was a 2-door notchback sedan and was based on the 1961-1969 built vans Mitsubishi 360 . A second-generation coupe named Skipperwas available from 1971 to 1974. In 1990, a high-roof variant of the Minica was introduced as a new series, which was initially Mitsubishi Minica Toppo , but later only Mitsubishi Toppo, Since 2011, Mitsubishi only offers the Mitsubishi eK in the Kei-Car class .

The first Minica (LA20) debuted in October 1962 as a two-door sedan based on the Mitsubishi 360 light truck, with a front-mounted ME21 359 cc twin-cylinder air-cooled engine driving the rear wheels, transverse leaf springs in front, and beam axle/leaf springs in the back. At 86 km/h, the top speed was slightly higher (53 mph). The Minica (and 360) received a redesign and the improved ME24 engine in November 1964, replacing tailfins and a scalloped rear windshield (LA21). The new "Auto Mix" system eliminated the necessity for premixing oil and gasoline, increasing power output by one to 18 PS (13 kW).In December 1966, along with a slightly different grille and new badging, a basic "Standard" Minica sedan was added, while the regular version was now the "Deluxe" version. 

Performance 

  • Engine Capacity 21.91 cu in, 359 cu em
  • Fuel Consumption 56.5 m/imp gal, 47 m/US gal, 5 1 X 100 km
  • Max Speed 55 mph, 88.5 km/h
  • max power (DIN): 18 hp at 4,800 rpm
  • max torque (DIN): 22 1b ft, 3.1 kg m at 3,000 rpm
  • max engine rpm: 5,800
  • specific power: 50.1 hp/l
  • power-weight ratio: 62 lb/hp, 28.1 kg/hp
  • standing 1/4 mile 26.7 sec
  • speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 9.6 mph, 15.5 km/h.

The Minica received another small upgrade in May 1967, with a new dashboard and a cushioned centre to the steering wheel. The engine was also improved, with a new reed valve ME24D producing 21 PS. A Super Deluxe grade was introduced in September of the following year, with the new 23 PS (17 kW) water-cooled 2G10 engine developed for the next-generation Minica. The LA23 has a full vinyl interior as well as a new plastic grille. The LA series was phased out with the release of the second-generation Minica in July 1969.

Technical

  • Mitsubishi Minicar  Technical details and specifications (1962-1969)

    ENGINE
    front, 2 stroke
    cylinders: 2, vertical, in line
    bore and stroke: 2.44 x 2.35 In, 62 x 59.6 mm
    engine capacity: 21.91 cu in, 359 Cu cm
    compression ratio: 7.8 and 8.2 : 1
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: light alloy
    crankshaft bearings: 3
    lubrication: mechanical pump, separate oil tank, mixture
    lubricating system capacity: 5.30 imp pt, 6.34 US pt.
    carburation: 1 Solex downdraught single barrel carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: air-cooled.

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical; gears: 4 + reverse
    synchromesh gears: 2nd, 3rd, 4th
    gearbox ratios: 1st 3.673, 2nd 2.350, 3rd 1.491, 4th 1, rev 4.652
    gear lever location: steering column
    final drive: hypoid bevel; axle ratio: 5.833.

    CHASSIS
    type integral, front auxiliary frame
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, transverse leafspring lower arms, telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    screw and sector
    turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 2.30.
    turning circle (between walls): 23.6 ft, 7.2 m

    BRAKES
    drum
    area rubbed by linings front: 43.10 sq in, 278 sq cm
    area rubbed by linings rear: 43.10 sq in, 278 sq cm
    area rubbed by linings total: 86.20 sq in, 556 sq cm

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 18 Ah
    generator type: dynamo, 180 W
    ignition distributor: Nippon-Denso

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 74.80 in, 1,900 mm
    front track: 43.30 in, 1,100 mm
    rear track: 42.15 in, 1,071 mm
    overall length: 117.90 in, 2,995 mm
    overall width: 51 in, 1,295 mm
    overall height: 54.75 in, 1,391 mm
    ground clearance: 5.90 in, 150 mm
    dry weight: 1,114 1b, 505 kg
    distribution of weight: 56.5% front axle, 43.5% rear axle

     

     © Motor car History

Service

  • Mitsubishi Minica 1st gen  maintenance and Service Guide (1962-1969)

    fuel type: mixture, 85-90 oct petrol, SAE 10 (winter) 20-30 (summer), oil in separate tank, 5.30 imp pt, 6.34 US pt,3 1
    gearbox oil: 0.90 imp pt, 1.06 US pt, 0.5 1, SAE 90, change every 11,000 miles, 17,700 km
    final drive oil: 0.70 imp pt, 0.85 US pt, 0.4 1, SAE 90, change every 11,000 miles, 17,700 km
    greasing: every 2,000 miles, 3,200 km, 13 points
    normal tyre pressure: front 14 psi, 1 atm, rear 14 psi, I atm.
    tyres: 5.20 x 10 or 5.00 x 10 tyres
    width of rims: 3"
    fuel tank capacity: 4-5 imp gal, 5.3 US gal, 20 1.
    carrying capacity: 706 1b, 320 kg

    © Motor car History