Highlights

Cult Japanese kei car featuring dramatic gullwing doors
Imported from Japan in December 2025 and first registered in the UK on 1 January 2026
Paintwork machine-polished and ceramic-coated
MOT valid until 22 December 2026 with no advisories recorded

The Appeal

Japan’s kei car regulations have long fostered one of the most fascinating corners of automotive culture. Originally conceived to encourage ownership of small, economical vehicles through tax and insurance incentives, the category has spawned an extraordinary variety of models, many of them wonderfully unconventional.

Alongside curiosities such as the single-seat Daihatsu Midget II and the rally-inspired Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ, Mazda’s Autozam AZ-1 stands out as one of the most ambitious kei cars ever produced. Introduced in 1992, it has since achieved cult status thanks to its exotic layout and distinctive styling.

Despite measuring just 3,295mm in length and weighing a mere 720kg, the AZ-1 is every inch a sports car. Featuring dramatic gullwing doors, a rear mid-mounted turbocharged engine and a rear-wheel-drive chassis, it offers a specification more commonly associated with exotic supercars than Japan’s smallest vehicle class.

Dating from the model’s inaugural year of production, ours is presented in an appropriately sporting shade of red. Imported into the UK at the end of last year, it is now ready to delight its next custodian with its unique blend of rarity, character and wonderfully involving, go-kart-like driving dynamics.

Key Information

Mileage: 142,867 kilometres (indicated, unwarranted, stated by seller to be correct)
Country of registration: United Kingdom (originally Japan)
Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 22 December 2026, clean pass
Technical specs: Turbocharged 657cc inline-three, five-speed manual gearbox
Paperwork: MOT certificate

The Detail

Bright red paintwork
Glass-topped gullwing doors
Grey and red cloth-trimmed cabin
13-inch grey Enkei alloy wheels with a silver lip
Simple cabin features a MOMO steering wheel, air conditioning, and a CD stereo
Originally delivered to Japan
Imported into the UK in December 2025 and re-registered 1 January 2026
Understood to not have been driven on UK roads during the winter months
Paintwork treated to a Stage 1 machine polish followed by a ceramic coating
Reportedly solid underneath with no rust
Boost gauge and Japanese toll card reader fitted inside the cabin
Engine claimed to run without fault and start first time
Praised by the seller for delivering a wonderfully visceral driving experience

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.

✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.