HINO CONTESSA AVAILABLE AT SHANNONS AUCTION

Shannons have a treat for fans of rare Japanese classics at their Spring Timed Online Auction in the form of a 1967 Hino Contessa 1300 sedan.

While best known for their trucks, Hino did build passenger cars for many years, but following an alliance with Toyota in late 1966, their focus shifted to commercial vehicles exclusively by the end of the decade.

The Contessa was a development of a programme that started with licence-built copies of Renault’s 4CV in the early 1950s. The first generation ‘PC Series’ Contessa sedan that debut in 1961 showed clear influence of Renault’s Dauphine in its mechanical layout – rear engine with rear-wheel drive – but Hino made the 893cc four-cylinder engine water-cooled.

Hino added their own front and rear styling, too, although a sporty two-door Contessa coupe that arrived in 1962 was styled by Giovanni Michelotti and looked very similar to BMW’s 507.

In 1964, the PC Series Contessa was replaced with the PD Series, which was longer, wider and roomier, making it closer to the Renault 8 in dimensions, if not appearance.

Michelotti did the styling on the sedan and coupe, with the flat front, quad headlight look having echoes of NSU’s Prinz TT and the Chevrolet Corvair, while the rear end was similar to Triumph sedans of the period that had also been designed by Michelotti.

The engine remained at the back, but had grown to 1,251cc and produced 40kW, which in coupe form was dialed up to 48kW via twin Weber carburettors and higher compression.

Hino began an export push with the PD Contessa, marketing them in Australia and several European countries, while an attempt to crack the American market was kickstarted in 1966 by contracting Peter Brock (the American one) to race a pair of them. These cars won the first race they entered, and while a lighter and faster Contessa coupe was prepared by Brock in the wake of this success, the tie-up with Toyota meant the Hino export programme didn’t really go any further.

Contessas would be assembled in Israel and New Zealand in the 1960s, with the car on offer at Shannons’ Spring Timed Online Auction from the latter.

Delivered to its first NZ owner in March, 1967, much of this car’s early history is unknown, including when it came across the Tasman to Australia, but it’s believed to have resided here for many years, initially in WA and more recently in Sydney.

One of only a handful known in Australia and in very original, unmodified condition, the odometer reads just 57,010 miles, which is believed to be genuine.

This Contessa is said to have had at least one repaint over the years, but the cream vinyl interior looks to be original. Mechanically, the car is described as starting easily and driving well, although minor adjustments to the brakes are required and a tune-up is recommended.

A guaranteed conversation starter at any Cars & Coffee event, this Contessa would be perfect for any enthusiast of Japanese classic cars.

To be sold unregistered and offered with No Reserve, Shannons guiding range for this rare car is $12,000 - $16,000. An original workshop manual, owner’s handbook and spare key will be included with the sale.