Suzuki MightyBoy
From Mod Mania
The Suzuki MightyBoy was a compact utility vehicle, which was introduced in 1983 and discontinued in 1988. It was originally designed to comply with a Japanese government vehicle regulation scheme which would allow small vehicles to be exempt of tax surcharges and also, surprisingly, parking fines which were commonly given to people illegally parking in Japan. The car is a member of the “Kei Car” category of vehicles, which are limited in physical size and engine displacement. Designed for the congested streets of Tokyo, its only other main markets were Cyprus and Australia, although some were imported into other countries. The actual car is notable for its strange design and small proportions. For example, the rear tray area measures less than 3 feet long, hardly a useable space for most people. The engine used to power the MightyBoy was tiny, the 3 cylinder, 534 cc single overhead cam motor only produced about 19 kilowatts of power, in comparison, most small cars made today produce at least 80 kW. A turbocharger was later made available as an option for slightly increased torque and power. The car was available in Australia with either a two speed automatic transmission or a four speed manual, both of which drove 10” wheels (later models had 12” wheels).
The MightyBoy was released to Australia in 1985, with mild success. Some of the first MightyBoy models ever brought to Australia were modified by a Queensland company and made into hire vehicles. They named this modified edition the ‘MightyBoy Squirt’. The modification involved removing the rear window of the car and adding a rear seat in place of the tray. A canvas covered the passengers in the back. The MightyBoy 26 years on is considered a collectors car, and people spend countless time, effort and money on restoring or modifying their car. It has spawned several online communities of enthusiasts who share technical information and repair help, as well as modification tutorials and general chat regarding the car. Mightyboy Club of Australia and The Australian Mighty Boy Owners Network are both popular Australian resources for owners of the car. These websites offer history articles, galleries, videos, maintenance guides and forums for the users. Many of the more experienced members start new threads and articles detailing how to make a repair or modification, and other members give feedback and ask questions. There are ‘For Sale’ sections on both of these websites, and members use them frequently to sell or trade cars and parts. The Cruises forum is also popular. Members post pictures of themselves or of their cars so they are identifiable by others when they meet in person. Cruises are arranged in different areas, so all owners have a chance of meeting and comparing cars. Another more specific online resource, Pimp My Mightyboy, offers only user written articles, which are based around modding and improving the MightyBoy. This site offers no forums for chat, but users can comment on different articles and give feedback. The main attraction of the MightyBoy is its low cost to buy, maintain and modify. Most examples of the Mightyboy sell for between $1500 and $4500 on websites such as Car Sales or eBay, depending on condition, kilometers and transmission type: a manual transmission is much more common than an automatic and thus usually cheaper. The engine is very efficient and consumes very little petrol, meaning a small tank goes a long way. The MightyBoy is quite easy to source parts for, and some components are interchangeable with other models of Suzuki, meaning costs are generally quite low. This makes it a popular car among young people who can’t afford high petrol and maintenance fees. The most common modifications made to the MightyBoy are: Wheels, Engine, Paint, Body and Audio.
The MightyBoy came with either 10” or 12” wheels as standard. These are basic, stamped metal rims, which aren’t very visually pleasing, so people tend to replace them as their first modification to the car. The wheels use a standard 4 bolt arrangement, meaning many aftermarket rims will bolt directly on, assuming they fit within the confines of the wheel arches. The maximum useable rim size is about 14”, although some have fit 15” or even 16” rims. New tyres are added to improve handling and traction.
Many owners retrofit body kits from other cars, adapting them to the small dimensions of the MightyBoy. This may be to increase aerodynamics or simply for looks. A complete re-spray often follows. The most common colours the Mightyboy came in were matte red and yellow. Because of the age of the vehicle, the original paint on many examples has deteriorated, accelerated by the sunny Australian conditions. Many owners choose to re-spray their cars with higher quality, gloss or metallic paints, which look better and are more durable. Because of the small cabin size of the MightyBoy, people try to fit the most powerful stereo system they can, while not consuming too much space. Most of the speakers must be put in the tray area, covered by a tarp, as cabin space is so sparse.
The 534cc engine of the MightyBoy is adequate at best, and struggles with hills and more than one occupant. Acceleration is slow, and the top speed hovers around 100km/h. Some adventurous people have been able to install newer, more powerful engines into their MightyBoy. The main engine used for the conversion is the Suzuki F8B, which has a displacement of 800cc. This engine is more powerful than stock to begin with, but also offers more opportunity for improvement, such as turbo charging and electronic injection.
The Suzuki MightyBoy is a staple of mid 80’s car innovation, when trends developed towards smaller, more economical vehicles. Although not initially very popular, the MightyBoy has become a common enthusiasts vehicle, and with a wealth of online information, it is likely that the interest in this peculiar car will only increase with time.
