Suzuki MightyBoy
Encyclopedia
The Suzuki Mighty Boy was a small ute
produced by Suzuki
, a member of the Japanese Kei car
family. It was classified as a commercial vehicle in Japan (and in Australia) so as to benefit from lower taxes for such vehicles, but its utilitarian values were certainly limited.
class of vehicles, the Mighty Boy is a Coupé utility
variation of the second generation, two-door fastback coupé Suzuki Cervo
. Released in February 1983, it was equipped with a 543 cc, SOHC three-cylinder transversely mounted engine (F5A). However, unlike its cousin the Cervo, no turbo was available for the Mighty Boy.
Driving the front wheels through a 4-speed manual or optional 2-speed automatic gearbox, the F5A motor delivered 28 PS JIS at 6,000 rpm (22.7 kW and 43.1 Nm at 3,500 rpm was claimed in Australia) of power at the flywheel. Model designation for the Suzuki MightyBoy is "SS40T".
First generation Mighty Boys were fitted with 10" wheels, and sported a horizontally finned grille, identical to the Cervo. While the Cervo used rectangular headlights, the Mighty Boy, as befitting the cheapest automobile available in Japan, cheaper round sealed-beam units. A feature unique to the Mighty Boy was the seats, which although still similar to those featured in the Cervo CS/G, featured a customised embossed "Mighty Boy" logo.
Second generation Mighty Boys received minor cosmetic upgrades, including a restyled front grille and mirrors. In addition, the range was extended to two variants:
and Cyprus
between 1985-1988. Imported through Suzuki/Ateco, Australia received a hybrid of the Japanese PS-A and PS/QL second generation Mighty Boy that included chrome roof rails, bucket seats and 12" wheels, however did not include such items as a tachometer or 5-speed manual gearbox. The manual version sold for AU$5795 when introduced to Australia, the cheapest automobile available there at the time.
About 2,800 were imported , but only 300-400 now exist.
Engine model: F5A
Bore x Stroke (mm): 62x60
Capacity: 543 cc
Power output: 28 PS JIS
at 6,000 rpm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
produced by Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
, a member of the Japanese Kei car
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
family. It was classified as a commercial vehicle in Japan (and in Australia) so as to benefit from lower taxes for such vehicles, but its utilitarian values were certainly limited.
History
Based on the principles and regulations of the Japanese keijidōshaKei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
class of vehicles, the Mighty Boy is a Coupé utility
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
variation of the second generation, two-door fastback coupé Suzuki Cervo
Suzuki Cervo
Suzuki was the first company to offer a kei car in 1955. One interesting departure from other Kei cars was the Fronte Coupé introduced in September 1971. It was a 2+2 Giugiaro-designed mini GT based on the rear-engine Suzuki Fronte, measuring a mere 2995 mm...
. Released in February 1983, it was equipped with a 543 cc, SOHC three-cylinder transversely mounted engine (F5A). However, unlike its cousin the Cervo, no turbo was available for the Mighty Boy.
Driving the front wheels through a 4-speed manual or optional 2-speed automatic gearbox, the F5A motor delivered 28 PS JIS at 6,000 rpm (22.7 kW and 43.1 Nm at 3,500 rpm was claimed in Australia) of power at the flywheel. Model designation for the Suzuki MightyBoy is "SS40T".
First generation Mighty Boys were fitted with 10" wheels, and sported a horizontally finned grille, identical to the Cervo. While the Cervo used rectangular headlights, the Mighty Boy, as befitting the cheapest automobile available in Japan, cheaper round sealed-beam units. A feature unique to the Mighty Boy was the seats, which although still similar to those featured in the Cervo CS/G, featured a customised embossed "Mighty Boy" logo.
Second generation Mighty Boys received minor cosmetic upgrades, including a restyled front grille and mirrors. In addition, the range was extended to two variants:
- PS-A - This 'base' model carried over the 10" wheels from the 1st generation Mighty Boy and was available with a 4-speed manual transmission only.
- PS-L and PS-QL - This model was equipped with bucket seats, larger 12" wheels, chrome roof/tie-down rails, and a tachometer. In contrast to the base model, a choice of 2-speed automatic or 5-speed manual gearbox was offered, and rectangular headlights were fitted.
Export Markets
The only export markets for the Suzuki Mighty Boy were AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
between 1985-1988. Imported through Suzuki/Ateco, Australia received a hybrid of the Japanese PS-A and PS/QL second generation Mighty Boy that included chrome roof rails, bucket seats and 12" wheels, however did not include such items as a tachometer or 5-speed manual gearbox. The manual version sold for AU$5795 when introduced to Australia, the cheapest automobile available there at the time.
About 2,800 were imported , but only 300-400 now exist.
Specifications
Model designation: SS40TEngine model: F5A
Bore x Stroke (mm): 62x60
Capacity: 543 cc
Power output: 28 PS JIS
Japanese Industrial Standards
Japanese Industrial Standards specifies the standards used for industrial activities in Japan.The standardization process is coordinated by Japanese Industrial Standards Committee and published through Japanese Standards Association.-History:...
at 6,000 rpm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1