15 little cars we loved at the Little Car Show

Diminutive machines at the world’s biggest motoring event

Monterey Car Week is about as big as it gets in motoring: from new concepts to priceless classics, the annual automotive extravaganza makes California a Mecca for car fans.

Not everything at this year’s event (18-26 August) is big, though – as the Little Car Show delights in proving.

Open to cars more than 25 years old and with engines no bigger than 1.6 litres, this celebration of compact classics gathers together 100 or so of the finest petite machines on the picturesque Lighthouse Avenue.

From plucky Mini Coopers to mint MG Midgets, here are 15 of our favourite little cars from the Little Car Show 2018.

Mazda Cosmo 110S

First is a rarity which made its way to Pacific Grove via Japan, having picked up a first-in-class award at the previous day’s Concours on the Avenue. 

Mazda Cosmo 110S (cont.)

Carson Chen’s 1967 Mazda Cosmo 110S was presented in remarkable condition having been sympathetically restored to an incredibly high standard.

Mazda Cosmo 110S (cont.)

“343 were made and between 12-16 survive,” said Chen, “and four or five of those are in the United States.”

Mazda Cosmo 110S (cont.)

“I’d watched this one for two and a half years and was finally able to bring it into the country in October last year,” he enthused.

Toyota S800

Elsewhere, show regular Michael brought along one of four Toyota S800s from his collection, having fallen in love with the model while studying at Berkeley in the late 1960s. 

He reckons he does the most annual miles in an S800 of anyone – though not all in the same car!

BMW 1600GT

Among a number of Porsche 356s, Triumph Heralds and MG Midgets were tucked several rarities, chief among them Norm Walters’ 1968 BMW 1600GT – which proved a mystery to many showgoers.

BMW 1600GT (cont.)

Based on the Glas GT of the ’60s and fitted with a 1.6-litre engine from BMW’s Neue Klasse, it must surely be one of only a handful in the country.

BMW 1600GT (cont.)

“The car was originally sold to the Congo in 1968,” said Walters, “and it eventually turned up in Portugal, where I saw it for sale on a German car website. I called a friend in Germany and sent him down to see it – he said, ‘you’ve got to buy this car!’ I love the colour Bristol – if it had been another colour I wouldn’t have bought it,” he joked.

Mini Moke

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Minis proved one of the most popular models at the show, with in excess of 20 examples filling out the numbers – including this Moke.

Mini Moke (cont.)

A tatty example bearing New South Wales registration places, it drew many quizzical glances from the crowds.

Austin Mini Cooper ‘S’ Mk2

One of the picks of the Mini bunch was Jon and Joanie Brothers’ Austin Mini Cooper ‘S’ Mk2.

Austin Mini Cooper ‘S’ Mk2 (cont.)

A 1970 example of the 1275cc machine, its orange and green colour scheme was a true eye-pleaser.

Riley Elf MkIII

A less common Riley Elf also drew attention at the show.

Riley Elf MkIII (cont.)

Launched in 1961, the Elf was a classic example of badge engineering, being sold under the Riley brand as a more luxurious version of the Mini.

Riley Elf MkIII (cont.)

Changes from the standard Mini included a slightly bigger boot and small fins at the rear. The cabin was more upmarket, too, with wooden trim to complement the chrome on the exterior.

Fiat Abarth 750GT Zagato

Also present was a Fiat Abarth 750GT Zagato with a comprehensive racing history. Still carrying its original engine and transmission, its restoration was completed in 2012.

Fiat 600 Multipla

A quirky 600cc Fiat Multipla inspired many smiles on Lighthouse Avenue – complete with surfboard on the roof and Italian flags attached to the front windows.

Fiat 600 Multipla (cont.)

Remarkably, the Multipla – carrying the Fiat 600’s engine and suspension from a 1100 – was just 50cm longer than a Mini Cooper but could technically seat six people.

MG J2

It couldn’t be a show about small cars without an MG Midget – and this lovely British racing green J2 from 1933 was a real treat to see.

MG J2 (cont.)

Equipped with an 847cc engine, the two-seater’s power output was just 36bhp – but its diminutive proportions meant it could still hit 80mph (going downhill).

MGA

This later MGA was also a welcome sight, complete with appealing patina.

MGA (cont.)

A 1956 example of the lightweight British sports car, it came to Monterey from just down the road in Santa Cruz.

Volkswagen Type 3 Notchback

We were also quite fond of this Volkswagen Type 3 Notchback from 1971.

Volkswagen Type 3 Notchback (cont.)

Launched in 1961 as a 1500cc car, this sky blue number is one of the later 1.6-litre models.

Crosley Hot Shot

A handful of rare Cincinnati-built Crosleys also delighted the crowds, including this Hot Shot.

Crosley Convertible

Also making up the Crosley numbers was this delightful Convertible – complete with matching surfboard. 

Crosley Convertible (cont.)

A 1947 example residing in Monterey, power came from a plucky 750cc motor.

Crosley Super Sport

In contrast, this 1951 Crosley Super Sport was a relative powerhouse, what with its 1.2-litre engine. 

Glorious in its gleaming crimson coat, it’s up for sale – yours out of Fresno, California for just $22,000.

Nash Metropolitan

Finally, this fetching cream and yellow Nash Metropolitan – a lovely example of the Austin-built compact machine – caught our attention.

Nash Metropolitan (cont.)

Built in ’57 and equipped with a 1.5-litre engine, this one’s another local number, stabled in Salinas.