Yamaha Ami: The Ferrari-Inspired Kei Car That's a Rare Delight

Weird ONES - From Japanese automotive manufacturers, we are spoiled by a variety of impressive automotive products. One of the most fascinating sights in Japan is the array of unique and charming small cars, known as Kei cars, produced by famous manufacturers such as Daihatsu, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, and Toyota. 

Yamaha also ventured into the kei-car market segment with a unique offering, the YM MobileMates Ami, in 1991. (Picture from: SmallCarsClub)

However, there is one well-known Japanese brand that typically does not come to mind when thinking about four-wheeled vehicles: Yamaha Motor Company. Famous for its musical instruments and motorcycles, Yamaha has made a surprising yet noteworthy entry into the world of cars with the Yamaha OX99-11 and the Yamaha Sports Ride Concept.

The YM MobileMates Ami, a peculiar micro coupé inspired by the design of the Ferrari F40, was essentially a modified version of the Daihatsu Opti. (Picture from: GridOto)

Yamaha's journey into the automotive industry started much earlier than the OX99-11. In 1967, Yamaha played a significant role in developing Japan's first true sports car, the Toyota 2000GT. Over the years, Yamaha also designed and supplied various engines to other automakers, including the renowned 3.0-liter V6 and 3.4-liter V8 units for the Ford Taurus SHO. Despite these achievements, Yamaha never fully embraced the production of four-wheeled vehicles, focusing instead on their strengths in motorcycles and engines.

The YM MobileMates Ami, a peculiar micro coupé inspired by the design of the Ferrari F40, was essentially a modified version of the Daihatsu Opti. (Picture from: GridOto)

The love for small cars in Japan is immense, particularly for the Kei cars. These compact vehicles are beloved for their small size and efficient engines, typically around 660 cc. Kei cars are a staple of Japanese automotive culture, known for their practicality and charm. Interestingly, Yamaha also dipped its toes into this market segment with a unique offering in 1991.

When the YM MobileMates Ami is compared directly with the Ferrari F40, the design is strikingly similar, though it is smaller and more whimsical. (Picture from: SmallCarsClub)

YM MobileMates, a branch of Yamaha Motor Company, introduced the Ami (stylized as "ami"), a peculiar micro coupé inspired by the design of the Ferrari F40. The Ami was essentially a modified version of the Daihatsu Opti, featuring a faux mid-engine design and an exaggerated rear spoiler. This tiny car, with its whimsical Ferrari-inspired appearance, boasted the same engine as the Opti – a 40.5 kW (54 hp) SOHC or DOHC 12-valve engine.

The tiny YM MobileMates Ami with its whimsical Ferrari-inspired appearance, boasted the same engine as the Opti – a 40.5 kW (54 hp) SOHC or DOHC 12-valve engine. (Picture from: BeForward)

The transformation from the Daihatsu Opti to the Ami involved significant modifications. While the doors and front fenders remained the same, the roof was reshaped into an arched design, and the rear end was equipped with fake air intakes to mimic a mid-engine layout. The four round taillights unmistakably paid homage to Ferrari, giving the Ami a distinctive look that was hard to ignore.

The YM MobileMates Ami also featured with a dummy mid-engine design body coupled with a spoiler that is the same height with its rounded roof. (Picture from: DrivenToWrite)

Initially, Yamaha planned to produce 600 units of the Ami, priced at 2.15 million yen. However, the market had more affordable alternatives, such as the Autozam AZ-1 and Suzuki Cappuccino, which were priced around 1.4 million yen. Interestingly, the car was sold exclusively in the Tokyo area through an event ticket supplier called Ticket Pia. Consequently, the Ami struggled to find buyers, and only three units were sold, making it an extremely rare and collectible vehicle. | QCCTj-71WOQ |

In an era where many cars feel overly serious and uniform, the Yamaha Ami stands out as a delightful exception. Its whimsical design and limited production make it a unique gem in automotive history, a testament to Yamaha's innovative spirit and willingness to explore beyond its traditional boundaries. The Ami remains a charming reminder that even in the world of cars, there's always room for fun and creativity. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HANDWIKI | SMALLCARSCLUB | DRIVENTOWRITE | OV9 | BEFORWARD ]

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