First Kei-car with a fully trimmed interior

When one thinks of Daihatsu’s convertible models, the Copen, Kei-car comes to mind. However, more than ten years before the first-generation Copen was introduced, there was a car called the Leeza Spider, which was launched in 1991.

The Leeza Spider was a convertible version of the Leeza, which debuted in 1986 as a lightweight special coupé.

The base model, the Leeza, was based on the Mira platform and had a more personal feel. It was a special car with a layout that prioritized the front seats and was the first Kei-car with a fully trimmed interior.

Only a turbocharged engine was available.

The Leeza Spider was exhibited as a concept model at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, and sales began about two years later. The show model was fitted with a 550cc engine, but in line with changes to Kei-car standards, the base model was converted to a 660cc engine in August 1990, so the Leeza Spider was also converted to a 660cc engine. The body was 90 kg heavier due to body reinforcements to make it convertible, so the line-up was limited to turbocharged engines only.

Another difference to the show car was that the production version was a two-seater, while the show car was a four-seater.

Sales were sluggish, with a total of 380 units sold.

In the end, despite the positive response at the Tokyo Motor Show, it took two years for the car to make its debut. There was also a lack of styling, as the Liza itself was nearing the end of its sales life, and the model was created by cutting the roof off a hatchback. And the lack of a price advantage over the competition only contributed to sluggish sales.

In the end, only around 380 units were sold, even though it was not a limited edition. Even after its successor, the Opti, was launched, The Leeza Spider remained in dealers’ stocks.