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