G303 Pyzar Series 1

A DAIHATSU what? The Pyzar was the Toyota-controlled brand’s oddball small-car entrant of the late 1990s, combining light-car economy in a small-wagon space. Or that was the theory anyway.

Awkward styling, a silly name and bizarre colour combinations probably kept Australians away more than the little Daihatsu deserved.

Power came courtesy of a 66kW/119Nm 1.5-litre single-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels via a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox.

Based on the 1993-2000 Charade light-car platform, the dynamics were reasonably capable around town – with a soft ride to match – but fell short a little on the open road.