While the Proton Saga pioneered the Malaysian automotive industry, it was the Perodua Kancil that shaped the country’s automotive landscape. When the second national carmaker introduced its first model 30 years ago, it cast aside all doubts and became a massive hit.

The affordable price tag mobilised Malaysians of all creeds and backgrounds. Urbanites were attracted to its small size while lower-income families saw it as a great escape from squeezing four people onto a motorbike.

The biggest success story of the Kancil though was in education. Almost overnight, driving schools across the country switched their rickety old Datsun Sunnys for the more modern rebadged Daihatsu Mira.

There is no unwritten rule that mandated a switch to the Kancil but its compact size and cheap price meant that it is a no-brainer option for many driving institutions. They are a business after all and the Kancil’s simplicity in maintenance made it a winner, for better or worse.

30 years later, with more than 700,000 units sold, the Kancil’s humble roots continue in its successors, the Viva and the Axia. Amazingly, most Kancils are still running today, with used units offered at a price lower than a high-end smartphone.

However, even the Malaysian people’s car is not immune to nostalgic fever with some being meticulously restored. Just like how some restored original Proton Sagas have become a collector’s item (miniature form included), so has the humble Perodua Kancil.

Even renowned car collector, JP Chin, has a Kancil amidst his collection of rare supercars and classics.

This base EX in white and grey though does not belong to Mr Chin but its owner spent around RM 20,000 to restore it to 1994 showroom standards. We did not speak directly to the owner but we were given a quick walkaround as well as some insights from the team behind its restoration.

Ace of base

When the Perodua Kancil was unveiled on 29 August 1994, there were two variants offered, the base EX and the GX which were priced at RM 24,398 (~RM 48k in 2024) and RM 27,198 (~RM 54k in 2024) respectively.

Also read: RM 2k cheaper now; 'Driving school' Perodua Axia E 1.0 launched - RM 22k

Powered by a 660-cc 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine (31 PS/49 Nm), the base EX is paired with a 4-speed manual transmission while the deluxe GX variant is hooked to a 5-speed manual transmission. A 3-speed automatic EZ variant would be introduced in January 1995 and by the end of the year, Perodua rolled out the 50,000th Kancil from the Serendah plant.

The little mousedeer on wheels was met with plenty of scepticism from the media and other industry players. There was plenty of scepticism over the small 660-cc engine’s capabilities as Malaysian roads and cities aren’t as densely compact as in Japan.

Also read: Perodua Kancil turns 30 - We look back at how the Malaysian people's car climbed against all odds

There were also doubts about the financial success of Perodua and its goal of reaching a sub-RM 25k price tag. Yet, it is genuinely impressive that the base Kancil managed to be priced close to its target at launch.

Indeed, there were plenty of features omitted to reach P2's goal. Absentees in the base EX include a tachometer, a radio, a rear wiper, grab handles, a passenger sun visor and vanity mirror, a parcel shelf, and central locking.

Still, the 'kosong'-spec Kancil came with the much-needed air-conditioning as standard as well as a rear defogger – items that might be seen as a luxury even on the base European city cars at the time.

It even came with side mirrors on both sides instead of just one – the base Saga, for instance, only had a driver’s side mirror when it was launched in 1985.

We often take the Kancil for granted especially the 'kosong' EX variant because it’s a cheap econobox tied to the internal circuits of Malaysian driving schools.

Regardless of how our local carmakers were treated more favourably to take a chunk of the market, it is impressive that Malaysia's cheapest car had 4 wheels, a pair of wipers, headlights, an A/C, a small, albeit reliable engine, and doesn't fall apart.

Hopping into the driver’s seat of this Kancil re-opened the memories of modulating the clutch during the hill course and manoeuvring parallel parking around the driving institution courses. The clutch is very light, the gear change is very vague, and the steering feel is dead but then again, these are not meant to be the faults of the Kancil.

All that sensation adds to the humbling character of the Malaysian kei car and of simpler times. This is an easy car to drive and for many Malaysians, it played an essential role in getting that P sticker as a symbol of their own freedom of personal mobility.

Perhaps it is that feeling of liberation that led to the owner to restore this base-spec Kancil to showroom condition. Of all the variants, the EX is often abused and used more as a tool than a collector’s item because of its cheap price and cheaper aesthetics but nostalgia is a funny drug.

5-figure restoration

Speaking to Joel from Poon Auto Sdn Bhd, his clients usually bring in an assortment of classic cars like E30 BMWs, Lancer Evolutions, and Toyota Land Cruisers. Though restoring a Kancil isn’t entirely out of his wheelhouse as the shop also deals with regular cars, he told us that finding original parts is the most challenging part of the process.

Prior to this, the little car had been abandoned for ten years under a tree in Perak before the owner rescued it for around RM 2,000. Despite being forlorned for a decade, the white Kancil’s body was mostly still structurally sound with some surface rust.

The detailing team stripped away the body and repainted it white while many of the trims and bumpers had to be replaced. Some trims can still be obtained but there are certain compromises as the Kancil is an old car with parts scarcely available.

The front and rear bumpers were sourced from a higher variant Kancil GX or EZ and were repainted to base-approved grey. Other trims like the rubber strips and door handles were sourced from OEM suppliers.

Inside, new vinyl-fabric combination seats were installed and when we saw the Kancil first hand, the front seats were covered in plastic. Joel said this was merely done to keep them clean as the car was being moved around the workshop to make way for other ongoing projects.

The steering wheel had to be sourced from resellers which Joel said cost around RM 180. The Kancil logo in the middle is prone to cracks due to age so finding a pristine one is difficult.

The 660-cc engine needed to be overhauled as it hadn’t moved for a decade. Its previous owner likely used it to drive around town for a spot of weekly marketing duties prior to its neglected state – the odometer had amassed just around 80,000 km of mileage!

As such, the total cost to restore this Kancil to pristine condition is around RM 20,000 and it took around a month to complete.

Why restore a simple car?

Still think it’s amusing to see the Malaysian people’s car turned into a collector’s item? Well, the Kancil holds a very special place in some Malaysians’ hearts whether as the first car in the family or to help with transporting PCs.

Among enthusiasts, it is probably refreshing to see a stock Kancil than one that has been converted and modified into a Mira.

Some people who achieved success later in life might attribute the Kancil as being the steadfast companion through their journey and there are even some who appreciate the nostalgic value the little car gives off.

Even though the Kancil lacks the modern amenities and safety features of the current Perodua lineup, it was the car that got the ball rolling for P2's success and acceptance among Malaysian buyers.

So don’t be so surprised if pristine examples of the Kancil begin popping up on online marketplaces or start appearing at car meets.

Special thanks to Joel from Poon Auto Sdn Bhd for letting us check out this restored Kancil as well as providing photos of the restoration process - Check out their social media here