Japan

Toyota

60011675

1st

Publica Van

Released date : 1962/ 6/ 8

body type

Van

VN

image1
  • image2
  • image3
  • Specification
  • Description
  • Plant
  • Name origin
Grade Publica UP16V
Model type
&
weight
Model type UP16V
Curb mass(kg) 620
Dimensions Length(mm) 3525
Width(mm) 1415
Height(mm) 1385
Wheelbase(mm) 2130
Engine Engine code U
Engine type Air-cooled, horizontally opposed 2-cylinder
Displacement(cm3) 697
Max. output kW(PS)/r.p.m. -/28/4300
* The specifications are those of representative model grades.
* Max. output represents a net rating. In the above table, digits separated by slashes ( / / ) stand for kW, PS, and r.p.m., respectively.
* The model numbers of these vehicles are UP16V(700).
The Publica was a small passenger car for general consumers, released in June 1962, developed partly in response to the "people's car" concept that was put forward in 1955 by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (today's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). Since many of the requirements for the people's car were practically unattainable for automakers of the time, however, Toyota drew up a set of requirements for a more realistic minimum-sized car to work on.

At the time, the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RR) configuration was the mainstream for the smallest class of passenger cars and minicars. Toyota initially experimented with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FF) configuration, however, as it was theoretically ideal for small cars. In the end, Toyota chose a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) layout, and overcame many difficulties to solve two critical problems associated with FR: vehicle weight and cabin space.
Plant Motomachi plant, Takaoka plant[from 1968]
Derived from "public" and "car," the name signifies "a car cherished by the public." The name was chosen in a public naming competition that attracted nearly 1.1 million entries.
catalog

This page is part of TOYOTA A HISTORY OF THE FIRST 75 YEARS website. For information on currently marketed vehicles, please refer to the Toyota Motor Corporation website.