Description

The Daihatsu Fellow Max SS was the high-performance variant of the Fellow Max kei car, introduced in the early 1970s. It was developed to offer a sportier, more dynamic driving experience within the strict size and engine limits of Japan’s kei car regulations. The SS model stood out as one of the most powerful and exciting kei cars of its time.

Under the hood, the Fellow Max SS was powered by a 360 cc two-stroke, two-cylinder engine. What set it apart was the use of twin carburetors and performance tuning, which boosted output to an impressive 40 horsepower—an extraordinary figure for a kei car of this size and era. Given the car’s very light weight, this power allowed for lively acceleration and a top speed in the range of 115–120 km/h. It was one of the fastest cars in its class and earned a reputation as a “pocket rocket.”

The engine was mounted at the front, and power was sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. The combination of a short wheelbase, rear-wheel drive, and spirited engine made the SS feel nimble and responsive, especially in urban driving and tight corners.

Visually, the Fellow Max SS had subtle but distinct styling cues to set it apart from the standard models. These included sportier wheels, unique striping or decals, a revised grille, and sometimes a tachometer inside the cabin. Some versions also had a front air dam and a slightly lower ride height. Inside, it retained a simple and functional layout, though certain trim levels added more supportive seats and sportier steering wheels.

While the SS was still fundamentally a budget microcar, it represented the peak of performance possible under the 360 cc kei car rules. It attracted attention from younger drivers looking for affordable thrills and helped Daihatsu compete with similar sport-oriented kei models, such as the Honda N360 TS and the Subaru R-2 SS.

The Fellow Max SS had a relatively short production life, as kei car regulations changed in 1976 to allow larger 550 cc engines and stricter emissions standards. The high-revving two-stroke engines fell out of favour, and Daihatsu shifted toward cleaner, quieter four-stroke units in its next generation of cars.

Today, the Daihatsu Fellow Max SS is a rare and cherished example of the high-performance kei cars of the early 1970s. Enthusiasts admire it not only for its historical significance but also for the way it pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved within such tight engineering constraints. It remains a symbol of Japan’s creative automotive spirit during the golden age of the kei car.