Chojin Barom 1 is a superhero formed when two childhood friends, one smart and one strong, are chosen to protect the Earth from evil demon-like creatures called Dorge. Naturally, a champion of that stature requires a suitable chariot, and the show does not disappoint with a bright orange roadster called the Mach Rod. Welcome to another edition of Guess the Tokusatsu Car. This heavily modified roadster is a tough one. See if you can figure it out.
Chojin Barom 1 (which translates to Superhuman Barom 1) aired its 35-episode run from April to November 1972. It was quite popular and the Dorge costumes were considered very grotesque and frightening for children, which probably helped sear it in to the memories of many Japanese kids.
According to Chojin Barom 1 lore, the superhero’s enhanced DNA can withstand temperatures from -210 degrees to 7,000 degrees Celsius, survive 100,000 volts of electricity, and hear sounds from a distance of 4 km. He can even fly through the air with gravity repulsing boots, and yet, sometimes he still needs a car.
That’s where the Mach Rod comes in. Normally it’s a small capsule called the Bop, but whenever Barom 1 chooses it can transform in to a full-sized car. It was described as having a twin-engine design, with a rotary engine in front and a jet engine at at the rear that contributed to its top speed of Mach 2. It could also climb up to 120 meters vertically, fly, and travel underwater. It had a special radar to detect the presence of evil Dorge, while a “shockwave gun” fought them off. Also, it had a smokescreen.
The engine, which was clearly not a rotary as was evident from the valve cover, was fitted with tons of random equipment. Those who recognize that valve cover might be able to guess the base car. Despite the rotary engine spec, the Mach Rod’s motor had eight individual exhaust pipes that seemed to suggest a V8. Those flowed down the sides of the car, though only six made it to the rear. A giant propellor was mounted on the back. None of it made much sense, but it looked cool enough for kids.
The Mach Rod’s fate is a mysterious one. In episode 12 of Chojin Barom 1 it was replaced by a completely different car without explanation. The replacement is a contender for a future round of Guess the Tokusatsu Car but, for now, what do you think the Mach Rod is beneath all the modified bodywork? We’ll post the correct answer in the comments after people have had a chance to play.
Mazda RX-8?
You did see the show ran in 1972?
Will not say…to early. Good disguise, very good .
Datsun Fairlady Roadster/Sports (SPL310)?
Datsun Fairlady – Going by the windscreen (of the low variation), studs on the dash, and the rear wing and tail lamp profile. Year and engine size admittedly unknown!
The way the Mach 2 handles the off-road part has me thinking it’s a Subaru. But even cut-down, it looks too small for a Leone. I can’t make sense of that engine, either.
If you look at the picture closely you will see that that there is a valve cover under whatever that monster of an intake is. That plus the six exhausts made me think straight six, which led me down the road to my guess.
Dang I worked hard at first, I see some post-war roadsters, some Trans-Am/Superbird vibe from the front (that would not get in a japanese show, right?) and then from the side it hit me: Fairlady Roadster?
But mostly, have you seen the pipes on the side? 4 pipes come out of the engine from each side, but on the side of the car there are only 3? The first “exhaust” pipe goes back in the body because there was no space to route all four of them on the sides!
Two high-mounted pushrods rocker covers with what looks like a two-strokes air-cooled motorcycle engine head in front!
The airboat prop in the back, with either snorkels of forward-facing exhaust pipes!
I love these things so much!
Looks like a Datsun Fairlady Roadster to me.
’63 – ’70 Datsun Fairlady/Sports? Going by the shape of the windscreen, the vent just behind the engine, the studs on the dash and the rear wing and tail light profile. Engine size unknown!
I would guess a Datsun Fairlady 2000 (SP311) based on the windshield.
The angle of the trunk area made me think Fairlady also…
Second try!
Dang I worked hard at first, I see some post-war roadsters, some Trans-Am and even Superbird vibe from the front, but that would not get in a japanese show, right? And then from the side it hit me… Fairlady Roadster?
But mostly, have you seen the pipes on the side? 4 pipes come out of the engine from each side, but on the side of the car there are only 3? The first “exhaust” pipe goes back in the body because there was no space to route all four of them on the sides!
Two high-mounted pushrods rocker covers with what looks like a two-strokes air-cooled motorcycle engine head in front!
The airboat prop in the back, with either snorkels of forward-facing exhaust pipes!
I love these things so much!
I’m also going with the Datsun Roadster/Fairlady…which variation, I don’t know, but the grill under the windscreen and rear quarter panels look familiar. (Mine was a ’67 Sports 1600)
For those who guessed Datsun Fairlady Roadster, you are correct!
Yeah for me, I very rarely guess right. Love these guess what car it is posts. This one was harder than most.