tidy little unit, the Autozam AZ-1, which I believe began as a Suzuki concept car in the mid-1980s

Facing competition from Honda's Beat and Suzuki's Cappuccino, the AZ-1 was the most advanced and expensive of the three, featuring a tube frame chassis with aluminum honeycomb bulkheads dressed in fiberglass body panels. 

With a diminutive curb weight of just 1,587 pounds, its mid-mounted 63 horsepower three-cylinder turbo engine provided just enough punch for a delightful, tire-screeching driving experience.

 However, its price tag, approximately $12,000, made the AZ-1 a hard sell over the slightly more expensive, but nearly twice as powerful MX-5. 

Compounded by a severe economic recession in Japan prior to its launch, Mazda sold fewer than 4,500 examples over a two-year period. 

 Keith Martin, editor of Sports Car Market in early 2018, purchased one and said of his time with the car, "During its time with SCM, it became everyone's favorite car, both for its striking gullwing doors and its high fun-factor as a driver."