Hino Contessa History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Introduced in 1961 as the Contessa 900 (PC10), Hino's first home-designed passenger car was a rear-engined, water-cooled five-seater drawing on the Renault 4CV's layout and mechanicals. Unlike its air-cooled contemporaries it used a water-cooled rear engine, and unlike the 4CV it offered genuine five-seat space.
A second-generation Contessa 1300 (PH10) followed in 1964 with a larger 1,251 cc rear-mounted engine and bodywork designed by Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti — the sedan was clean and modern, while the Contessa 1300 Sprint coupé (also Michelotti) debuted at the 1962 Turin Motor Show and is today the more collectible of the two.
Following Hino's 1966 strategic partnership with Toyota, passenger-car production was wound down. Series production of the Contessa ended in March 1967, though assembly of remaining parts continued at a slow pace into 1968; a final batch of 175 cars was built in October 1969 to use up remaining stock.
Generations
First generation — Contessa 900 · PC10
Rear-engined 893cc sedan; Hino's first home-designed car, growing from the Renault 4CV heritage.
1961 Photo: “1961 Hino Contessa 01.jpg” by Mytho88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
1964 Photo: “Hino PC10 Contessa 900 Deluxe (23110312540).jpg” by 先従隗始 / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation — Contessa 1300 · PH10
Michelotti-styled sedan and Sprint coupé with a 1,251cc rear engine — today's collectible Hino.
1965 Photo: “1965 Hino Contessa automobile 001.jpeg” by Geraldshields11 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1967 Photo: “1967 Hino Contessa 1300 Coupe.jpg” by TTTNIS / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Coupé
Notable special editions & performance variants
Contessa 1300 Sprint Coupé
A Michelotti-designed fastback coupé that debuted at the 1962 Turin Motor Show — the most sought-after Hino passenger car.
Related models
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