Dome (Japan) - AllCarIndex

Dome Co. Ltd was a Japanese automotive manufacturer and racing team founded in 1965. Initially, the company focused on motorsport, beginning its journey with a modified Honda S600. Over the years, Dome became known for producing a variety of racing cars and established connections with Tom's, a Toyota racing enterprise.

The company's first foray into road car production was marked by the introduction of the Dome-0 in 1978. This vehicle was designed by a team of four young Japanese engineers: Minoru Hayashi, Shoichi Hayashi, Akihiro Irimagi, and Kenji Minura. The Dome-0 featured a steel monocoque chassis constructed by Hayashi Racing in Suzuka, along with an all-independent suspension system utilizing coils and wishbones. It was powered by a rear-mounted 2.8-liter Datsun six-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed ZF transaxle, which was later turbocharged. The design of the two-door coupe was notable for its low height of just 38 inches and included computerized instruments in the interior.

Despite showcasing the Dome-0 at various motor shows with the intention of launching a production run, the company ultimately shifted its focus back to racing projects. In 1989, Dome engineered the JIOTTO prototype, and in 1993, it presented the Pivot, a monobox passenger car prototype. The name "Dome" translates to "children's dream" in Japanese, reflecting the company's aspirations in automotive design and engineering.