Hino Contessa

[Eddie]

Hi Everybody. My first time here.

Has anybody heard of the Hino Contessa? This is a car that was made between around the mid 60's. I saw one the other day and found it fantastic. Thinking of buying it. I heard its quite sought after in Japan.

 

Eddie

[maxpower]

 

never seen one before

 

and welcome

[eddyramrod]

Welcome, Eddie, from Eddy! If you've been offered one of these, you must buy it! We want to see the pics! That one above looks distinctly cool.

[Cavcraft]

Can't say I've heard of them but it does look class, hopefully you'll buy it. Are they made by the same people who manufacture cheap looking tipper lorries? Welcome along by the way!

[Eddie]

Hey everbody, thanks for the unexpectedly quick and lightening responses. I have just been in touch with the owner and will have a some pics in a few days. He tells me that its a 1967 model, original engine and parts. Its still in good running condition. The interior has been refurbished. How much would be a fair price for one of these?

[wackywacerwill]

Whatever price gets it in your possession

 

Honestly don't know what they go for, may need a bit of research. Or, start low and see what happens.

[messerschmitt owner]

they're so scarce it is worth whatever you want to pay! simples!

[dollywobbler]

There's one in the London Science Museum, in the utterly pointless stack of cars.

[michiel]

 

What where when how much? I want one if you don't buy it! Or maybe the Bickle will buy it?

 

Here's some material I've got on the Contessa.

[holbeck]

I'm squinting at that Hino, and seeing a mark 1 Triumph 2000.

[eddyramrod]

I was seeing Renault 10, or possibly Chevy Corvair....

[dollywobbler]

I'm squinting at that Hino, and seeing a mark 1 Triumph 2000.

 

Not very surprising as Michelotti styled both. Front end does have a whiff of Corvair about it though. A fine looking car.

[michiel]

Is this one in the UK (and originally sold there) by the way, Eddie? An attempt was made at building CKD-kit Contessas over herem but that went tits up after a couple of hundred cars...

[Vin]

I love these. They are a thing of beauty.

 

Did they ever sell them in the UK. I know they stopped making cars when Toyota took over, and they concentrated on being Toyota's wagon building arm.

[maxpower]

I'm squinting at that Hino, and seeing a mark 1 Triumph 2000.

 

the site that i got the picture from also said it had shades of triumph dolomite... the doors going up to the roof did make me think it was a triumph rip-off

[flat4alfa]

Yes, as Dollywobbler said, this one at the Science Museum in South Kensington

 

 

 

I was seeing Renault 10

There's a reason for that: Hino built Renaults under licence and this was their model that came from that experience

[flat4alfa]

the site that i got the picture from also said it had shades of triumph dolomite... the doors going up to the roof did make me think it was a triumph rip-off

Contessa's re-model predated Triumph's 1300 by a year - 1964.

 

Dolomite arrived 8 years later.

[eddyramrod]

It's a dandy little thing, isn't it? I'm finding it curiously attractive....

[flat4alfa]

I hope it gets bought

 

Quickly!

[maxpower]

the site that i got the picture from also said it had shades of triumph dolomite... the doors going up to the roof did make me think it was a triumph rip-off

Contessa's re-model predated Triumph's 1300 by a year - 1964.

 

Dolomite arrived 8 years later.

 

and the moral of the story is never believe anything you read

[purplebargeken]

A friend of mine who also has a liking of Triumphs was looking to buy one and had spoken to a bloke in Pakistan. Sadly the deal fell through as the owners was keen for it to stay in the country.

 

Lovely looking car.

[purplebargeken]

Shades of Triumph from the door skin tops to the rook line, especially at the A and C pillars. Also a hint of Daf'ness about it too IMHO.

 

Ken

[Mash]

These are great, but if I'd have been Harry Webster at the time I'd have took Michelotti to one side and given him a bloody good talking to!

 

I don't hink these were ever even evaluated in the UK (spottedlaurel might prove me wrong with some random snippet out of The Motor however!). I think they had a bit of success in Oz - I have a nice brochure and the cars have Victoria plates on them.

 

There was a coupe too, nearest I'll ever get is this Ebbro model:

 

[SambaS]

I thought the Contessa was a Hindustan. Never seen this before ever

[flat4alfa]

Shades of Triumph from the door skin tops to the rook line, especially at the A and C pillars

Michelotti styled both.

 

 

This is 1964

[STUNO]

I am old enough to remember Contessas being sold here, that blue one in the first pic is wearing an NZ plate. As flat4 says Hino were the Jap Renault Agents so when they built their own car it had to be similar to a R10. The result as you see was quite a good looking car, from memory a bit wider than the Renault and better spec'd. I do not think many were sold here though as they were , well, Japanese! I saw one recently but of course no camera

One of those wants that will never happen.

EDIT: saw this on google ! There seems to be something familiar about this..

hino_contessa_classic_red_2002 by stuno602, on Flickr

 

EDIT EDIT..

http://www.classiccar.co.nz/articles/re ... a-1300-176

[SambaS]

^ that is what i thougt to be a Hindustan Contessa ^

[Cavcraft]

Looks quite 'Victor Fe-ish' that.

[Richard]

It is a Hindustan Contessa, somebody's got their title wrong. It was based on the Victor FE and made until quite recently, with the usual dubious facelifts.

[flat4alfa]

http://www.classiccar.co.nz/articles/rear-guard-assault-1967-hino-contessa-1300-176

 

That is a superb, and comprehensive write-up