The Toyota Publica was a small car manufactured by Toyota from 1961 to 1978 as part of Japan’s “national car concept.” It was designed to meet specific requirements set by the Japanese Government, aiming to produce a reliable family car. The Publica was the smallest car in Toyota’s lineup during its production period until it was succeeded by the Toyota Starlet, which initially started as a version of the Publica. The Publica was available as a 2-door vehicle but came in various body styles including sedan, station wagon, convertible, coupé, and coupe utility (pickup).

The development of the Publica can be traced back to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in Japan, which introduced the “national car” concept in 1955. The concept laid out strict requirements for the vehicle, including a maximum speed of over 100 km/h, weight below 400 kg, and fuel consumption not exceeding 30 km/L. Additionally, the car was expected to remain reliable and not require significant repairs for at least 100,000 kilometers.

Key points:
– The Toyota Publica was a small car manufactured by Toyota from 1961 to 1978.
– It was part of Japan’s “national car concept” and designed to be a reliable family car.
– The Publica was the smallest car in Toyota’s lineup at the time, succeeded by the Toyota Starlet.
– It was available in various body styles including sedan, station wagon,

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