Toyota G1
Encyclopedia
The Toyota G1 was the first truck built by the company that became Toyota. It was 20 feet (6 m) long, could carry 1.5 tons and was loosely based on similar class Ford
and GM
trucks.
The G1 was succeeded by a line of similar Toyota trucks as technology progressed. The entire series was replaced by the BM truck in 1947.
's desire was to produce automobiles. Unfortunately, the A1 passenger car that was under development in 1935 was unlikely to sell well due to Japan's low economy. Work still progressed on the A1 but emphasis was shifted to a truck derived from the same engine and chassis (slightly lengthened).
The financial resources of the parent company, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
, were stretched almost to breaking point and large loans were required to put the G1 into production. The total cost of the G1 development was well several times the annual profits of Toyoda.
The G1 was sold as a Toyoda. The company changed its name from Toyoda to Toyota at the introduction of the G1's successor, the GA.
Since this was Toyoda's first production vehicle, there were still many problems to be solved. When the first production examples were driven to Tokyo
for the motor show, they were packed with many spare parts. These spare parts were in case something broke during the trip - luckily only a few replacement parts were required. Early sales were only to people who were sympathetic to local manufacturers and who were willing to endure many failures. To support them, design engineers from the factory were often sent to do repairs in order to learn which parts needed the most attention. For example, broken rear axle housings were common until new welding methods were developed. Repairs were done for free and sometimes entire trucks were replaced for free. Rectifications were then applied as running changes on the production line.
This was just in time to meet the government deadline for licensing motor vehicle producers.
6 cylinder engine that was also used in the A1 and AA
. It produced 62 hp.
A single solid axle housing with 2 single wheels was used at the front while a single solid axle housing with 2 pairs of double wheels was used at the rear.
An update to the KB to make it even more suitable for war time production in times of limited material availability. Emphasis was on reducing the cost of materials. The engine cover was still metal but other body panels were made from plywood
. The body design was extremely square, with only simple curves used on the engine cover and a flat radiator with no grill. Only a single headlight and only rear brakes were used.
The KC truck was used on Japanese military airfields to start aircraft engines. A power take-off was taken from after the gearbox. It rose behind the cabin and then projected forward. This was mated to the spinner on an aircraft's propeller to start the aircraft engine. Because it wasn't used for heavy cargo, the cargo bed was narrow and the rear wheels were singles instead of the normal doubles. Also, the cabin was very basic, having plywood sides, no doors and a canvas roof. Running boards were unique to the starter truck due to the narrow cargo bed. Hasegawa
made a 1:72 scale plastic model of the KC starter truck labelled as "Starter Truck Toyota GB", even although the real GB had a curved radiator grill and more complex bodywork.
vehicle using a metal boat style hull and KC truck mechanicals.
In addition, 4 wheel drive was added via a 2 speed transfer case.
Water propulsion was by a PTO driven propeller.
Brakes were hydraulic.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
and GM
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
trucks.
The G1 was succeeded by a line of similar Toyota trucks as technology progressed. The entire series was replaced by the BM truck in 1947.
G1
Kiichiro ToyodaKiichiro Toyoda
was a Japanese entrepreneur and the son of Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda. His decision to take Toyoda Loom Works into automobile manufacturing would create what would eventually become Toyota Motor Corporation, the world's largest automobile manufacturer....
's desire was to produce automobiles. Unfortunately, the A1 passenger car that was under development in 1935 was unlikely to sell well due to Japan's low economy. Work still progressed on the A1 but emphasis was shifted to a truck derived from the same engine and chassis (slightly lengthened).
The financial resources of the parent company, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
Toyoda
- Locations and buildings :*Toyoda, Shizuoka, a town located in Iwata District, Shizuoka, Japan- People :*Sakichi Toyoda , a Japanese inventor and the founder of Toyota Industries Corporation Co., Ltd....
, were stretched almost to breaking point and large loans were required to put the G1 into production. The total cost of the G1 development was well several times the annual profits of Toyoda.
The G1 was sold as a Toyoda. The company changed its name from Toyoda to Toyota at the introduction of the G1's successor, the GA.
Since this was Toyoda's first production vehicle, there were still many problems to be solved. When the first production examples were driven to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
for the motor show, they were packed with many spare parts. These spare parts were in case something broke during the trip - luckily only a few replacement parts were required. Early sales were only to people who were sympathetic to local manufacturers and who were willing to endure many failures. To support them, design engineers from the factory were often sent to do repairs in order to learn which parts needed the most attention. For example, broken rear axle housings were common until new welding methods were developed. Repairs were done for free and sometimes entire trucks were replaced for free. Rectifications were then applied as running changes on the production line.
Dates
The G1 prototypes were completed in August 1935, shown to the public in November 1935 and released for sale in December 1935.This was just in time to meet the government deadline for licensing motor vehicle producers.
Mechanicals
The G1 used the 3389 cc Type AToyota Type A engine
The Type A engine was a straight-6 engine produced from 1935 through 1947 by Toyota.The Type B was a technically more advanced version of the Type A.The Type C was a straight-4 engine derived from the Type A....
6 cylinder engine that was also used in the A1 and AA
Toyota AA
The A1 was the first prototype passenger car built by the company that became Toyota. It was redesigned and put into production as Toyota's first production cars, the AA sedan and the AB cabriolet...
. It produced 62 hp.
A single solid axle housing with 2 single wheels was used at the front while a single solid axle housing with 2 pairs of double wheels was used at the rear.
KB
An update to the GB to make it more suitable for war time production. The body was still made from steel but was of a simpler design with less curves.KC
Plywood
Plywood is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, re-usable, and can usually be locally manufactured...
. The body design was extremely square, with only simple curves used on the engine cover and a flat radiator with no grill. Only a single headlight and only rear brakes were used.
The KC truck was used on Japanese military airfields to start aircraft engines. A power take-off was taken from after the gearbox. It rose behind the cabin and then projected forward. This was mated to the spinner on an aircraft's propeller to start the aircraft engine. Because it wasn't used for heavy cargo, the cargo bed was narrow and the rear wheels were singles instead of the normal doubles. Also, the cabin was very basic, having plywood sides, no doors and a canvas roof. Running boards were unique to the starter truck due to the narrow cargo bed. Hasegawa
Hasegawa (model company)
The is a company that manufactures plastic model kits of a variety of vehicles, including model aircraft, model cars, model ships, model armor, model space craft and science fiction kits...
made a 1:72 scale plastic model of the KC starter truck labelled as "Starter Truck Toyota GB", even although the real GB had a curved radiator grill and more complex bodywork.
KCY
A military Amphibious vehicleAmphibious vehicle
An amphibious vehicle , is a vehicle or craft, that is a means of transport, viable on land as well as on water – just like an amphibian....
vehicle using a metal boat style hull and KC truck mechanicals.
Mechanicals
The engine, gearbox, suspension and rear axle were based on the KC mechanicals.In addition, 4 wheel drive was added via a 2 speed transfer case.
Water propulsion was by a PTO driven propeller.
Brakes were hydraulic.