Topic: Solved - NEH 5371: Toyota AK10 early prototype - 1942

[Carnut]

What's this, from when - for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[Skut]

Toyota AK10 isn't it. Wartime copy of a Bantam captured in the Philippines.

[Carnut]

It is a Toyota AK10, yes, though it's not a captured one!
There is something particular about this car which I was hoping for in the solution.
I'll lock it for you until your next reply to see if you can say what it is I'm looking for.

[Skut]

I think you may be looking for Yon-Shiki Kogata Kamotsu-Sha which translates into the very catchy, The Imperial era 2604th model compact cargo-truck.  What I was meaning was that the Bantam was captured not the AK10.

[Carnut]

Sorry, I was being thick!  I know what you meant but lost track when I was replying..
No, what I'm looking for is not nearly so complicated!  It's an AK10 but what is special about it?  The clue is in the single headlight..
Still locked!

[Skut]

Well the single headlight suggests it's a production vehicle as much as they made production. About 5 or 6 made in1944. The single headlight seems to have been driven mostly by material shortages and partly a desire to differentiate it from the Bantam.

[Carnut]

6 prototypes of the AK10 were built, the earliest having the single headlight whilst later ones had two.
It had taken them from 1942 to develop the car but production was only just about to get under way when the war ended so the project was scrapped!
It was just the fact that it was one of the earliest prototypes that I was looking for but we'll call it solved I think.
Well done.

[Skut]

Thanks. It's a shame none have survived and documentation is sparse but that seems quite common with WW2 Japanese technology. It brings to mind the giant O-I 100 ton tank prototype that no one is certain if it was ever built.