1978 Daihatsu Scat

Engine - 1.6 L Petrol
Transmission - 5 Speed Manual
Tyres - Federal Couriga AT
Equipped for - Beach Driving

Steph, thanks for sharing your Daihatsu Scat with us, what’s the story for you getting your hands on this beauty?

The Scat was definitely an impulse purchase! I was watching a 4WD video online and saw this little green thing that was killing the trails, I had to know more. Sure enough, after reading up on them I found one (and I really mean only one) on Gumtree from Queensland. After telling my dad about it he called the owner and the next thing I knew it was being freighted down to Sydney!

We were both so excited to get our hands on this little cult car, rumored to 'go where the other 4WDs can't'. Something that not many people see or even know about. Neither of us have bought a car without inspecting it but it was a gamble we had to take..

Did you restore it or was it restored by the previous owner?

The Scats exterior was in great shape. A previous owner had sprayed it yellow, so the body looked new. First thing was to make sure it mechanically sound, it hadn't been started in a long time so needed a tune and all the fluids topped up. Built to last, the Scat didn't need much tinkering before it was running smoothly again.

The interior on the other hand had a complete restoration. The idea was to keep it looking simple and original but making it comfortable. There was some rust that needed doing and all the seals to doors and windscreen. The interior had sound deadening put in and some work-style carpet layed in the boot and front. The original seats were reupholstered with parts of the dash and doors. It turned out perfectly, even had a sound system installed, but it never lost its original charm.

What's your favourite thing about the Scat?

Other then it's brilliant colour, that bullbar (which was always on it when we bought the car), is certainly something to put a smile on anyone's face! It is ridiculous but that's why I love it, I was told by the previous owner I could demolish a house with it which has always made me smile. For me, it had to stay!

But a story that I love most about the car was when we bought it, my dad and I bought it as a 4 speed manual (told by the previous owner). The mechanic confirmed 4 speed, but it never felt comfortable cruising in 4th. One day my dad, out of habit, pushed it into 5th and found 'the hidden gear'! It was 5 speed all along, which made more sense when sitting on the highway at a max speed of about 100km/h. The car that keeps on giving!

What are your future plans for the Scat? Will you be holding onto it for a while yet?

The Scat is currently on historic plates, garaged at a beach town up on the North Coast of NSW. It's been a thrilling car to drive on the highway, but something so special to explore those country dirt roads with. I'm yet to take it off road but have plans to do so in the future. With a body so light, the Scat is a potential climbing machine, so I would be keen to get it out near Barrington Tops to see what it can really do.

I love this car, I love how it drives and I really love seeing people's reactions to it (especially that bullbar). With such a cult classic and not many left in Australia, it's one I plan on holding onto for a while to come.

Photos by Steph