Inspired by the lads at Mighty Car Mods YouTube channel, Melanie McLeod sourced a tidy example of a Daihatsu Copen as her daily driver and hasn’t looked back! Here’s her story.

“TYNIE is my 2004 Daihatsu Copen, a car I purchased to be my new daily driver at the start of this year. I saw Mighty Car Mods had one in their Christmas special video, and I had no idea what it was, but as soon as I saw theirs, I wanted one!

“I found this one down in Melbourne with low kilometres a few weeks later, and I’ve loved it ever since.

“For those that don’t know, the Copen is a Japanese Kei car, so it only has a 660cc, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

“It’s not fast, but even with the metal folding roof, it only weighs just over 800kg, so with the five-speed manual and a zippy chassis, it’s heaps of fun to drive around town. And it’s a convertible, so you can’t go wrong!

“It was stock when I got it except for a set of hideous Bob Jane wheels, so I’ve swapped those out for a set of BIM Downhill Special 15in rims from Japan.

“It also has RSR lowering springs, a Tomei gear knob and an HKS intake kit. Next on the list is an upgraded HKS intercooler and exhaust.

“It’s a car that attracts plenty of interest, especially from non-car people, as they have no idea what it is – it gets more attention than my R32 Skyline weekender!”

Photos: @shotsbyjeremy

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