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History of Prince Motor Company |
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- 8.11.10. Prince Motor Company
- Shortly after the end of WW2 the Nakaima and Tachikawa Aircraft Companies were merged to become part of the large Fuji Sangyo organisation.
- In about 1947 Fuji Sangyo decided to develop an electric car which became known as the “Tama”. Note: In Japanese ‘Tama’ means ghost, spirit, soul.
- Production started sometime between 1949 and 1952. Exactly when? Three versions of the Tama were produced; the E4S-47 and the “Junior” (both 4-seaters) and the 5-seater “Senior”.
- The car, which weighed 2,425 lbs (1,102 kilos) used lead acid batteries, had a range of about 60 miles (96 klm) and a top speed of 22 mph (35 kph). Double check these figures.
- In 1950 Fuji Sangyo was re-organised into 12 smaller parts; one being the Fuji Precision Machine Company (FPMC).
- Two years later, in 1952, the Tama Motors Company was formed as part of FPMC. In 1955 it was renamed the Prince Motor Company and production of the Tama ceased. Did production of the Tama end in 1955?
- The company started to develop a petrol powered car in about 1955.
- The 1,482 cc, 60 hp (45 kW), Skyline ALS1-1 model was introduced in April 1957. Both coupe and sedan versions were available. Between 1957 and 1963 nearly 34,000 were made.
- A second generation Skyline model, the 70 hp S50 was produced from 1963 to 1967, when it was replaced by the 88 hp, 1500 cc S57.
- In 1961 the company introduced the BLSIP-2 series Prince Gloria model. The 1.9 litre, 80 hp (60 kW) car was a luxury version of the Skyline. Production ended in 1962.
- The S40-E Series Gloria was produced between 1961 and 1966. It was the first Prince car to be fitted with a 6-cylinder engine. A 2.5 litre version, the S41 was also produced.
- In 1966 the Prince Motor Company merged with the Nissan Motor Company.
- See Section 8.11.9 (Nissan)
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