A rare Minica F4, which was a famous vehicle back in the 70s and 80s, is seen in Cebu City. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa
CEBU, Philippines—The spotting of a rare Minica F4 in Cebu City took some netizens to a trip down memory lane.
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, CDN Digital posted on its Facebook page, photos of the Japanese ‘kei’ car that was making a u-turn along Pope John Paul II Avenue in Cebu City.
The Minica F4 was produced in 1972, according to the Mitsubishi website.
So what does our titos and titas remember of the Minica F4?
“The PU of the 80s,” one netizen said in the comment section of the post.
PU was the term for public transportation at that time. It was sort of like our taxi cabs these days.
“Tag piso to 3 pesos pliti ani sa una mabayaran gikan Redemptorist Road to SHS Boys sa Mango,” one added.
(The fare used to be from P1 to P3 from Redemptorist Road to SHS Boys in Mango).
Minica F4 background
According to Mitsubishi’s global website, the Minica F4 launched the third-generation Minica powered by a 4-stroke water-cooled engine in October 1972.
“The F4 designation pointed to the model’s family-use orientation and to its 4-stroke engine,” reads a part of the website that gives a short history of the car.
“The styling took its cue from the Japanese scarab beetle and was developed to give it as friendly an appearance as possible,” it added.
‘Sentimental value’
CDN Digital found out that the Minica F4 it featured was owned by Ramir Riveral.
He says the Minica has been with him since 1995, and he keeps it because of its “sentimental value.”
According to Riveral, he used to bring his kids to school using the Minica.
Another thing he likes about the car is that it is economical, with its 2-cylinder, 550-cc engine.
PROUD OWNER. The Minica F4 of Ramir Riveral. | contributed photo
..Minica ni Monica…
Some netizens also remembered the famous Filipino tongue twister related to this car, which goes: “Minekaniko nang mekaniko ni Monico ang makina nang Minica ni Monica.”
Do you have any memories to share about this vehicle?
Share them with us!
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