Kurogane Baby History

The Kurogane Baby was developed out of technology inherited when Kurogane assumed operations of Ohta Jidosha in 1957. Introduced in April 1959, it was a kei-class vehicle — complying with Japan's light-vehicle regulations — available in van ('Light Van'), enclosed cab ('Commercial'), canvas-top wagon ('Canvas Wagon'), and open pickup ('Carrier') body styles.

Power came from a rear-mounted 356 cc water-cooled overhead-valve two-cylinder engine producing 18 PS, driving the rear wheels through a 3-speed manual gearbox. The van weighed approximately 540 kg and measured 2,990 mm long. Despite covering the bases of Japan's nascent microvan market, the Baby was undercut on price by the Subaru Sambar and Suzuki Carry, and production ended in January 1961 — a commercial life of under two years.