Tsukuba Roland
The Tsukuba Roland, sometimes referred to as the "Tsukuba-go", is a small, front-wheel drive saloon car produced by Tokyo Automobile Manufacturing KK in Japan between 1932 and 1938. Tokyo Automobile Manufacturing outsourced most aspects of the production, including engine, chassis, and bodywork. It was Japan's first front-wheel drive automobile and the Tsukuba was even exported to China, which was under Japanese occupation at the time. However, the Sino-Japanese War also brought with it restrictions on raw materials and Tsukuba production came to a halt after only 130 examples had been built. One example remains in the Toyota Automobile Museum.
The car was designed by autodidact automotive engineer Kazuaki Kawamada. Its layout was inspired by the american Cord L-29, but was considerably smaller. Unlike most of its contemporaries, the Tsukuba had independent suspension at all four wheels. The engine was an 736 cc V4.. It was of a flathead design with 25 degrees between the cylinder banks and maximum output was at about 4,000 rpm. The engine was built by Meguro Seisakusho, the chassis by Harajiro Body, and the body was by Press Kogyo. In addition to the standard two-door, closed saloon, a two-door phaeton and a truck variant were also available.