Toyopet Racer's Construction Finished Successfully - Functional First Part!
Toyopet Racer Revival Project Aims for 100 km/h
In a remarkable feat of engineering and determination, a team of young project leaders at Toyota have successfully revived the iconic Toyopet Racer, setting their sights on reaching a top speed of 100 km/h.
The project, which began in November 2020 at Toyota City's head office, faced numerous challenges. The engine team, for instance, had to work tirelessly to restore the S-type engine, which caused startup troubles, leading to a two-week postponement of the initial test run, or "shakedown."
Despite these setbacks, the team worked diligently, removing and adjusting the engine before the shakedown. They also held weekly sessions to work on the project, in addition to their regular work.
The decision to aim for a maximum speed of 100 km/h was not without debate. Some team members, advisors, and senior colleagues raised safety concerns, suggesting limiting the speed to around 40 km/h. However, Miki, one of the project leaders, advocated for attempting the maximum speed.
The project involved three young project leaders and five teams, each responsible for a different section of the car. The team responsible for the body and frame used Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis for strength calculations. They also ensured that detachable seat belt parts were made to maintain the exhibit's original appearance.
The assembly process of the car's parts was a significant challenge. However, calculations showed that the Toyopet Racer could reach a maximum speed of around 100 km/h. With this in mind, the installation of seat belts became a priority.
On October 12, 2021, the revived Toyopet Racer made its initial test run at Toyota's test course. Although the exact speed achieved during the test run is not publicly disclosed, it is clear that the team's hard work and determination have paid off.
The choice to aim for a maximum speed of 100 km/h was likely influenced by a desire for a reasonable, achievable speed for a historic or limited-scope revival project. This speed serves as a benchmark for experimental or demonstration runs while preserving originality and vehicle integrity.
However, the exact reasoning behind this decision remains unclear, as no explicit sources detail the debate or project details. This conclusion is an educated inference rather than confirmed fact. If further information becomes available, it will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the thought process behind this ambitious project.
The project team, striving to modernize the vintage Toyopet Racer, chose to incorporate modern gadgets and technology to achieve their goal of reaching 100 km/h. As the revamped car adapts to a more high-speed lifestyle, it also retains its originality with the use of detachable seat belt parts and meticulous CAE analysis for the body and frame.
