In the '90s, miniaturization was the big thing. Japan had started working out ways to create tiny home hi-fis with big sound; you could carry around a video game machine in your pocket called a Game Boy; and Tamagotchis were virtual pets that could be carried around on a key-ring.The car world didn't miss a trick. Cities like Tokyo were becoming densely populated metropolises where parking was next to impossible, so auto manufacturers began creating so-called 'kei cars' which would skirt tax legislation, cut congestion and fit into tiny parking spaces. These vehicles could be no more than 3.4 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, with no more than 660cc three-cylinder turbocharged (in the '90s) and pack petrol engines with a maximum of 64 horsepower.All of the above may have sounded a bit boring, especially compared to the kind of gas-guzzling performance machinery on offer in the States at the time, but it wasn't. This was the era when Japanese carmakers were in their stride, with hot rally-bred road cars and useable sports and supercars such as the iconic Acura NSX and Toyota Supra hitting the scene.Tiny engines and miniscule bodies were no barrier to Japanese car culture – and fans of these cars were in for a treat, carmakers constantly outdoing each other with ever-wilder creations that pushed the limits of what was possible with these tiny sports cars. One Mazda, however, stands alone as being probably the coolest kei car ever. It's dinky, it didn't sell well, and hardly anyone will have heard of the car brand, but it's a mini supercar for the masses. The Underrated Autozam AZ-1 May Just Be The Coolest Kei Car Ever Bring A TrailerIn the '80s, Mazda was diversifying. The company decided on a multi-brand strategy that would break up models into more focused badges and allow Mazda to operate in different demographics. In 1989, Mazda created Eunos and Autozam – the former used to market what the US would come to know as the Miata MX-5. Mazda wasn't messing about, adding 140 Eunos dealers and 810 Autozam dealers in 1989 to support the new brands.We all know what happened to the Miata. That car has become an icon in the automotive world, selling more than 1.2 million units, and still going strong. But the car that came to represent the wonderfully-named Autozam brand didn't sell quite so well. It did, however, become a cult classic that these days is highly sought-after by a select group of loyal fans. The Gullwing Doors Give The AZ-1 Millionaire Looks Bring A TrailerThe Autozam AZ-1 is the ultimate in Kei car expression. Arriving in September 1992, this was a two-seater sports coupé AZ-1 with gullwing doors, the type you'd find on a Mercedes-Benz 300SL or a Tesla Model X. The car had originally been previewed as the AZ-550, the numbers in the name representing the previous maximum cc under Kei car rules, and the AZ-1 had actually been the most conservative proposal. One design that was put forward, called the Type C, was a mini Group C racer for the road. The AZ-1 Is A Pocket-Sized Supercar Bring A Trailer It may have been a less daring choice, but the production AZ-1 was one of the most exciting-looking cars on the road, and still is. There are shades of Lamborghini Diablo in the rear, with hints of the Ford RS200 in the front three-quarter view, and the toll-booth windows mimic a DeLorean. At just 129.7 inches long overall, it's around two feet shorter than a 2025 Mazda Miata and its 88-inch wheelbase is just over a foot and a half longer than a Harley-Davidson V-Rod motorcycle. A Closer Look At The Autozam AZ-1 Bring A TrailerAutozam AZ-1 SpecsThe Autozam AZ-1 was designed by Tatsumi Fukunaga and featured plastic body panels and a midship layout, with a Suzuki-sourced 660cc turbo engine placed just behind the driver’s seat that churns out 63 horsepower and 63 lb-ft of torque. The car benefits from a low center of gravity, a low weight of around 1600 lbs, and, according to Mazda, direct and sharp steering that makes it feel like a go-kart. The Autozam AZ-1 May Only Have Lawnmower Power, But It Drives Like A Race Car Bring A Trailer There was even a special sports version called the Mazda M2 1015, which featured rally-style integrated lights at the front, and a Mazdaspeed version. The horsepower of the AZ-1 might sound puny, but the car hits the limiter at 9,000 rpm and the tiny tearaway is famed for its race car feel. The Mazda/Autozam AZ-1 was offered until December 1995 and sold in a total of 4,392 units, says Mazda. Suzuki also sold a near identical model called the Cara. The AZ-1 Is Rare And Sought After On The Used Market Cars & Bids Autozam AZ-1 Average Prices 1992 Autozam AZ-1: $20,931 1993 Autozam AZ-1: $22,861 1994 Autozam AZ-1: $18,821 Source: Classic.comThe Autozam AZ-1 may not be a very well-known car, but its rarity and notoriety in the world of Kei cars means that when these Mazdas do come up for sale in the USA, they fetch good prices. It's hard to get an official figure on how much a good-condition AZ-1 is worth, but Classic.com gives an average selling price for a 1992 model of $20,931, and $22,861 for a 1993 car. For reference, a 1992 Miata is $9,500 in good condition, according to Hagerty.The bottom line is, you'll need at least around $15,000 to get hold of an AZ-1, such as this 45,000 mile example, whereas this 1993 Autozam with some serious mods sold for a whopping $40,500. With such a niche market, condition and select, rare aftermarket parts, all play a large factor in the value of these cars. Anyone Fancy Turning Their AZ-1 Into A Ferrari F40? Liberty Walk So you just shelled out 40 large for your rare Kei car - what to do next? The logical step is to give the guys and gals at Liberty Walk a call and ask them to turn it into a mini Ferrari F40. Alongside a modified Lamborghini Countach, Liberty Walk unveiled an AZ01-based Ferrari F40 replica at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, which turned out to be one of the stars of the show. This Ferrari Lookalike Could Cost You $65,000 Or More Bring a TrailerFor around $25,000 dollars, you can buy the LB WORKS LB40 bodykit for the Autozam AZ-1, which includes front cowl, light cover, front canard, side skirts, door panel, rear fender, rear wing, rear bumper and reflector, and rear diffuser. The result is a car that looks like Ferrari's iconic supercar (Liberty Walk also does a bodykit for the real thing) which could cost $65,000 (including donor car) when finished. Get your kit over at Liberty Walk.