7 tiny classics going under the hammer at the Bonhams Revival sale

These days, those small cars that still exist are actually relatively large and packed with equipment, some of which is demanded by regulation and some of which is expected by customers. But it hasn’t always been like that. In the post-war decades, the priority was to mobilise populations, and small but perfectly formed peoples’ cars did that in clever ways.

At the Bonhams|Cars sale at the 2026 Goodwood Revival presented by Dunlop, a whole collection of European and Japanese microcars is being offered for sale. All have been on static display for a few decades so will require recommissioning before their tiny pistons can fire again. Here are our picks of these small wonders...

c.1966 Mazda P360 Carol

Estimate: £8,000 to £12,000

No nation takes the concept of small cars more seriously than Japan. Kei class regulations limit the car’s footprint, engine size and performance and have resulted in a whole host of vehicles that fit within those constraints.

The Mazda P360 Carol is based on the coupé that predated it, introducing four doors and a reverse-rake rear window. Its 358cc water-cooled overhead-valve engine is one of the smallest four-cylinder engines and produces 18PS (13kW). In its first year on sale, the P360 Carol captured 60 per cent of domestic Kei market in Japan.

All the cars listed here are from the Connoisseurs' Collection Part IV and this one joined the collection in 2003.

1969 Mitsubishi 500 Saloon

Estimate: £6,000 to £9,000

The 500 represented Mitsubishi’s return to the automotive manufacture in 1959 after breaking from the market to supply the Japanese military during World War II. At a little more than three metres long, it actually exceeds the length permitted by Kei regulations. 

At launch, the 500 was propelled by a rear-mounted 493cc air-cooled two-cylinder engine that was enlarged for later editions of the car. By the time this car was built, its displacement had grown to a heady 594cc. The car underwent a restoration in 1987 and joined the current collection in 1999.

c.1958 Vespa 400

Estimate: £10,000 to £15,000

To Italy now, where the obvious candidate would be the Fiat 500. And fear not, there is a 500 in the sale. But we’re instead turning our attention to a manufacturer better known for scooters. The Vespa 400 was Piaggio’s tilt at the four-wheeler market, and it has two seats plus a shelf in the back on which young families would often perch their children.

The two-cylinder, two-stroke engine was a mere 393cc. Borrowing technology from its scooter siblings, the 400 initially used on pre-mixed ‘petroil’ lubrication. A more user-friendly system that featured a separate oil reservoir and semi-automatic dispenser was an early upgrade. Ultimately, the final models offered the convenience of fully automatic lubrication. Such luxury!

c.1969 Suzuki Forte 360 Deluxe

Estimate: £3,000 to £5,000

This Suzuki Forte 360 Deluxe has the lowest estimate in the entire Bonhams|Cars sale, but it’s no less intriguing than lots that have more value attached to them. Suzuki used its experience in building two-stroke engines for motorcycles to power its first saloon car.

It was based on the Suzulight van, and this example is a second generation model launched in 1967 (the original had been in production for five years). The restyle contributed to its huge popularity; very quickly Suzuki had massively exceeded its sales target of 3,000 per month, with 8,000 rolling off the production line monthly until it ceased production in 1970.

c.1961 Subaru 360 Deluxe

Estimate: £8,000 to £12,000

Our next Deluxe model is the Subaru 360. Forget flame-spitting Imprezas and famers’ favourites Legacys, in the 1960s Subaru was churning out the charmingly curvy 360 microcar in large numbers. Actually, in those days the Subaru Corporation was called Fuji Heavy Industries, but the car still shares the six-star badge with Colin McRae’s rally car.

At 356cc, the 360’s two-cylinder, two-stroke engine was close to the 360cc maximum permitted by Kei class regulations at the time of its introduction in 1958. Over time, its power output increased significantly from 16PS (11.7kW) to 25PS (18.3kW). The Deluxe edition was introduced in 1961 with improvements to the interior and exterior.

c.1966 Toyota Sports 800 Coupé

Estimate: £20,000 to £30,000

If you squint while looking at the Toyota Sports 800, you can see echoes of the fabled 2000 GT. Maybe a 2000 GT that has been shrunk in the wash and distorted by heat, but there’s a resemblance. Sort of.

The Sports 800 was developed from the much more prosaic Publica 700 saloon, which was Toyota’s response to the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s initiative for Japan to have a ‘national car’, rather like Italy’s Fiat 500, France’s Citroën 2CV, Britain’s Mini and Germany’s Volkswagen Beetle.

With the Publica 700’s 45PS (33kW) air-cooled boxer engine, the Sports 800 was good for a top speed of 100mph. Only 3,131 were built by the time production ended in 1969 so there aren’t many opportunities to get your hands on one.

c.1960 Messerschmitt KR200 Kabinenroller

Estimate: £18,000 to £25,000

Back to Europe now for one of the most recognisable bubble cars, the Messerschmitt KR200 Kabinenroller. At launch in 1953, it was initially marketed as the Fend, taking its name from co-designer Fritz Fend. When it changed its name to Messerschmitt, the single-cylinder two-stroke engine increased from 148cc to  174cc. Its modest 9PS (6kW) was enough to reach 55mph.

The KR200 was introduced in 1955, retaining the tandem seating and handlebar controls of its forebears. The possibility of reverse was introduced, too, but reversing the starter motor. It meant that the Kabinenroller could achieve the same top speed going backwards as it could forward, but you’d need to be brave or foolhardy to attempt it.

This one is believed to have been last used in 1988 and is of 30,000 produced.

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