Kancil Project Car: A New Chapter Begins
Every build has a backstory. My Kancil project car started life as a modest daily driver. My sister bought the car brand-new in 1999 from a Perodua dealer. It came equipped with a 660cc carbureted engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. For over 11 years, the little Kancil served her faithfully. However, like all aging machines, wear eventually took its toll.
From Family Car to Dad’s Daily Ride
When my sister upgraded to a new vehicle, we handed down the Kancil to our father. Despite its age, it still managed daily tasks—until engine problems became impossible to ignore. The biggest issue? Severe overheating. After just 20km of driving at 80km/h, the temperature gauge would climb rapidly.
We tried flushing the radiator and refilling it with new coolant, but the problem persisted. I suspected a failing head gasket. On top of that, the clutch had never been replaced since day one. It was long overdue for serious attention.
Kancil Project Car: The Turning Point
At this stage, repairing the original 659cc engine didn’t make much sense. With only around 31hp, investing more into the old engine would be a waste. So, I made a decision: it was time to convert the car into a full-on Kancil project car—not just fixing it, but transforming it.
Rather than stick with the factory look and outdated engine, I chose a different path. This project would include both a performance upgrade and a visual refresh. The new plan? Install a better-performing engine and dress the car in a Daihatsu Mira L200s bodykit.
Performance Meets Style
The Mira L200s bodykit gave the Kancil a sporty, refreshed appearance. It wasn’t just about looks, though. With the planned engine swap, the Kancil would finally perform as good as it looked. This wasn’t just maintenance—it was a proper build project.
Follow the Kancil Project Car Journey
This post marks the beginning of our Kancil project car journey. There’s a lot more to come—engine swaps, paint jobs, custom tweaks, and performance testing. Whether you’re into DIY builds or just love a good car transformation story, you won’t want to miss what’s next.
