Ken Nagai, (owner/founder of Ken’s Factory), is a great custom motorcycle builder, and although this project rolls on 4 wheels, it’s a V-Twin powered based on a 60’s Mazda Carol and worth the interest, I guess, of most of my readers. In Japan like in the US, most custom motorcycle lovers are also car buffs. It was only a matter of time before one of Ken’s clients would challenge him on a car project with motorcycle DNA. Reluctant first, but the request coming from a very close friend, Ken accepted to demonstrate that his custom motorcycle design philosophy (“Details Create Style”) could be successfully to an unassuming 1962 Mazda Carol…
The 60’s era Mazda Carol a “Kei” car, belonging to a micro class of cars in Japan. The Carol is Mazda’s first 4-door and it was originally powered by a rear mounted little 358cc four-cylinder OHV engine. Given that the original motor was in the back, there was plenty of openings and grilles to allow the motor to shed heat efficiently and Ken took advantage of this. He dropped a 1600cc H-D Twin Cam and added intakes above the bulbous rear fenders, jamming a constant flow of air into the engine bay. Thanks to an adaptor, a Volkswagen tranny was fitted into the small compartment.
The details giving the Carol its unique look are of a double wishbone subframe built from scratch, a wide-body treatment, billet wheels. Other fine details, among others, a highly customized and polished engine although it is invisible under the hood, performance brakes, many hot rod parts and a re-upholstered black leather seating. The result? A very unique and addictive to the eyes modern retro classic micro car. Ken’s Factory USA.
Specifications:
Owner: One of Ken’s best friends
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Power: V-Twin
Engine: H-D Twin Cam, 1600cc
Drivetrain: Air Cooled VW 4-Speed Transmission
Suspension & Chassis: Front Double Wishbone by Ken’s Factory, Rear Semi-Trailing Arm Suspension by Ken’s Factory
Brakes: Front/Rear: Wildwood Multi-Piston Calipers/Disc
Wheels & Tires: Front, 16 x 7. Rear, 16 x 8. Colorado Custom “Lazear”.
Exterior: Steel Wide Body and Front Section by Ken’s Factory
Interior: Black Leather and Aluminum by Ken’s Factory and Back Drop Custom Leathers
Very cool . But tell you what .If its M/C powered automotive lunacy you’re looking for head over to Youtube and punch in ” The Fastest Hillclimb Car of the World ” and have a look see at the Hyabusa powered Fiat X1/9 bit of abject insanity
awesome work
I Like It!
I’d like to see it pictured with a person, so we could get a better idea of just how small it is.
And make sure that person isn’t 3’ tall, in an effort to make the car look bigger,
I love it…very cool
It looks to have some coolant plumbing work… a Twin-Cooled engine perhaps
Very cool build. It has a great stance as well as body, suspension and engine mods.
I totally agree with Number6 though…cram a turbo ‘Busa motor in that thing for some real fun.
Awesome workmanship !!! Very COOL !!!
Very cool! Surprised he didn’t use a better engine.
That thing is excellent. Ken always builds awesome machines. Love it.