Hi i lived in Nicaragua ,Central America in the 1960s & 1970s ,i remember seeing these fascinating Japanese cars with the engine in the rear & comparing them with Renault 8 & Renault 10 ,never realizing that they were "Japanese Renaults "at least in concept. I saw several Contessas running around in the capital city of Managua, of different years & in good condition as recently as the year 2002 ,the last time i visited that country, testimony of how well built the cars must be.Long Live Contessas ! Thank you for your website.

Sincerely a fan of fine machinery: Roger Barnes.

Dear Roger,

Thanks for sending very valuable information. I am site owner and creator for this site as well as Hino Contessa I own that was used by Peter Brock in those days in California.

According the document of Hino I own, Hino exported sizable number of Hino Contessa to Central and South America countries by supporting Hinoﾕs heavy truck agents at those days. It is something 20 - 50 cars to Nicaragua as well as other countries. I attached a copy of Nicaragua dealer with Hino Contessa.

The following is the picture by Columbia guy recently I checked in web site:

http://forums.photobucket.com/showthread.php?s=271208771c91ef4eac248bfc9aa59a77&p=38561#post38561

Also the following is something crazy modification. It seems the location is in USA:

http://datsun510.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1397&size=big&papass=&sort=1

Again thanks for the information and I expect to see the picture is you have with next trip.

Very Sincerely,

Satoshi Ezawa