JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
1948 toyota granted permission to start full time manufacturing of automobiles again since the end of WWII
1949 recession hits Japan.
1950 Many industries and factories start mass layoffs. Toyota in labor disputes with workers union at this time agreed to not do any layoffs. Toyota separates Toyota Motor Sales from the parent manufacturing company to help ride out financial crisis in April 50’
Also in 50’ Bank of Japan as well as 23 other banks financing the restructuring of Toyota forced Toyota to make cut backs to employees.
Toyota made early retirement offers to cut the work force.
President Kiichiro Toyoda felt responsible for the layoffs he and management agreed not to do even though it was a settlement between all parties.
Kiichiro Toyoda stepped down as President and also took the early retirement as offered to the employees even with both company management and labor union not wanting him to do so.
“It’s obvious from an article Kiichiro Toyoda later wrote for the Aichi Toyota PR magazine that the development and production of Toyopet Racer was his own idea. It’s also surprising that he was thinking about taking part in racing during that crisis.” The financial and employment crisis in 50’
October 1950 the 1st all Japanese races were held over six days on the newly built track… Funabashi Racecourse in Funabashi City.
November 50’ development of Toyopet Racer by the Marketing Department of Toyota Motor Sales
Kiichiro Toyoda went to Toyota Motor Sales as he thought it inappropriate to approach the company he presided over.
Kiichiro consulted Motoharu Kobayakawa an acquaintance of his who was a pioneer of Japanese motor sports.
December 1950 Marketing Department of Toyota Motor Sales decided to make every effort to build two racing cars to take part in a race which would be held in May 1951 at Funabashi. Original plans were to build 6 Toyopet Racers.
They saw an opportunity to promote Toyopet dealers.
The racer was based on the Toyopet SD, which had been in production since 1949.
It used a 995 cc inline 4 cylinder S engine with a whopping 27 hp
They used the ladder frame from a Toyopet SB Truck in production since 47’
May 51’ the racers were developed by the Service Division of two Toyota dealers.
No. 1 racer was built by Osaka Toyopet
No. 2 racer was built by Aichi Toyota Motor.
Both cars were built unalike as they were built independently of each other using the same components.
Unfortunately the racers did not see much success. The Japanese race association at the time was in a bit of a chaotic state and gambling on races cast a shadow over the whole time.
Kiichiro Toyoda was against the use of gambling on the circuit racing and wanted it to be a showcase of individual companies products essentially.
Kiichiro Toyoda passed away at the age of 57 on March 27, 1952.
I found this extremely interesting and of Kiichiro Toyoda’s involvement.
Taking an early retirement as the company forced many to do so… honorable man.
Kiichiro Toyoda
Letter to Motoharu Kobayakawa
Model SD Toyopet
S type engine
SB frame and running gear for the racers to be built upon
Original article link:
toyotatimes.jp
1949 recession hits Japan.
1950 Many industries and factories start mass layoffs. Toyota in labor disputes with workers union at this time agreed to not do any layoffs. Toyota separates Toyota Motor Sales from the parent manufacturing company to help ride out financial crisis in April 50’
Also in 50’ Bank of Japan as well as 23 other banks financing the restructuring of Toyota forced Toyota to make cut backs to employees.
Toyota made early retirement offers to cut the work force.
President Kiichiro Toyoda felt responsible for the layoffs he and management agreed not to do even though it was a settlement between all parties.
Kiichiro Toyoda stepped down as President and also took the early retirement as offered to the employees even with both company management and labor union not wanting him to do so.
“It’s obvious from an article Kiichiro Toyoda later wrote for the Aichi Toyota PR magazine that the development and production of Toyopet Racer was his own idea. It’s also surprising that he was thinking about taking part in racing during that crisis.” The financial and employment crisis in 50’
October 1950 the 1st all Japanese races were held over six days on the newly built track… Funabashi Racecourse in Funabashi City.
November 50’ development of Toyopet Racer by the Marketing Department of Toyota Motor Sales
Kiichiro Toyoda went to Toyota Motor Sales as he thought it inappropriate to approach the company he presided over.
Kiichiro consulted Motoharu Kobayakawa an acquaintance of his who was a pioneer of Japanese motor sports.
December 1950 Marketing Department of Toyota Motor Sales decided to make every effort to build two racing cars to take part in a race which would be held in May 1951 at Funabashi. Original plans were to build 6 Toyopet Racers.
They saw an opportunity to promote Toyopet dealers.
The racer was based on the Toyopet SD, which had been in production since 1949.
It used a 995 cc inline 4 cylinder S engine with a whopping 27 hp
They used the ladder frame from a Toyopet SB Truck in production since 47’
May 51’ the racers were developed by the Service Division of two Toyota dealers.
No. 1 racer was built by Osaka Toyopet
No. 2 racer was built by Aichi Toyota Motor.
Both cars were built unalike as they were built independently of each other using the same components.
Unfortunately the racers did not see much success. The Japanese race association at the time was in a bit of a chaotic state and gambling on races cast a shadow over the whole time.
Kiichiro Toyoda was against the use of gambling on the circuit racing and wanted it to be a showcase of individual companies products essentially.
Kiichiro Toyoda passed away at the age of 57 on March 27, 1952.
I found this extremely interesting and of Kiichiro Toyoda’s involvement.
Taking an early retirement as the company forced many to do so… honorable man.
Kiichiro Toyoda
Letter to Motoharu Kobayakawa
Model SD Toyopet
S type engine
SB frame and running gear for the racers to be built upon
Original article link:
FEATURE STORIES｜[Reviving a Legendary Racing Car!] #1 Kiichiro Toyoda’s Conviction that Gave Birth to the Toyopet Racer｜TOYOTA TIMES
Toyota Times provides a series of articles featuring the project to revive Toyota’s first racing car “Toyopet Racer”, developed 70 years ago. The first part describes its historical background and Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda’s passion in developing the #TOYOTATIMES
toyotatimes.jp
