While quite common in other parts of the world the Suzuki Samurai is a rare sight in Alberta these days. As a cheap and cheerful 4×4 most of these were used and tossed away. Remaining examples have seen an increase in their values of late. I recently came across this survivor fitted with a cheeky hood ornament.
Not sure of the meaning behind this winged pig ornament but it appears to be a properly vintage item. No doubt it is related to the common expression “when pigs fly”. This one would have been perfect for our pig themed “Hamborghini” Tercel.
This one is definitely a Samurai rather than the earlier SJ410 which was also sold in Canada as evidenced by the fender call out badge. The rugged little SUV is sporting a tow hitch, intake snorkel, grill guard and oversized tires which makes it look ready for any offroad action although I do wonder if the tires are too large with an impact on axle articulation. Maybe the next modification is larger fender flares. How common are Samurais in your area? Or do you stand a better chance of seeing a pig fly?
They’re pretty common here in BC as a hunting/off road buggy. The older models are desirable due to their narrow width; not much bigger or in some cases smaller than the giant 4 place side by side UTV’s which are so popular. Plus, you can license it and flat tow it behind your RV.
Some are popular with VW Diesel engine conversions as well.
Basically they are used as a big ATV, with doors and a heater.
I feel like these were the spiritual successor to the original CJ Jeeps – in that they were predominantly designed for off-road and utility use, but in a pinch you could drive it into town for supplies.
Problem was, folks bought them for DD use. They really weren’t well-suited. Utility vehicles don’t drive like ordinary passenger cars, and when Consumer Reports tried doing just that it caused them to give negative reports, and that was the end of that.
Here on the other side of the country you’ll more likely see a JDM Suzuki Jimny than a Samurai.
Even in salt free Oregon Samurais are getting rarer and more expensive. They are popular as rock crawlers and RV tow behinds, although the Vitara seems to be more popular with the RV crowd.
A Samurai with a lift is a poor DD, I rode in one once and it was like being inside a bobblehead
I agree with that sentiment since I cannot think of when I last saw one around Tualatin.
I was a little North of you, this particular Samurai lived in Hillsboro circa 2012 and was sold when the owner moved to Austin. Bend has a small population of off road Samurais and daily driven Vitara/Sidekicks.
I was really distracted by the background where the signage proclaims REAL CANADIAN Superstore. Is there such a store like FAKE CANADIAN?
Nevertheless, I remember my first ride was in the winter 1987 when visiting my youngest aunt in the Black Forest area. Her boyfriend had a Jimny built in Spain with higher local content. He gave me a ride while running errands. The ride left me with a very disdained view of Jimny: lot of clashing noises in the gearbox, hard and unsupportive seats, bouncy suspension, wandering-eye steering, buzzing noise from the engine, lacklustre heating system, draughty canvas roof, etc.
Never again…to this day.
Real Canadian Superstore goes by a few names but mostly referred to as “Superstore” or out east as the parent company Loblaws. It is a Canadian chain and ironically has a house brand called “President’s Choice”. We, of course, don’t have a President but rather a Prime Minister which I guess would not flow off the tongue as well.
PC was named for Loblaw’s President Dave Nichol..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President's_Choice
Ah, well that makes some sense then.
Is it true that Loblaw’s was started by Bob Loblaw? Say that aloud …
Thanks for the explanation!
It’s Atlantic Superstore in the Maritimes. In Newfoundland it’s called Dominion, but not the same as the other Dominion chain that went out of business a few years ago.
AKA Stupidstore
Canada has historically suffered from the occasional bout of insecurity and self-doubt. (What are we DOING up here?? Real countries have an Arizona or a Florida!).
But we’re slowly figuring it out. 🙂
Wow, the CC Effect remains strong, I just saw one of these on the road about 2 or 3 evenings ago.
These always looked like a great deal of fun to me. Sometimes you are in the mood to cruise, but when you are really in a mood to DRIVE, as in to operate a machine, one of these would do the trick.
I’ve always wanted one, somewhat irrationally as it would be too small, but I think they are attractively designed.
There was a Pinzgauer down the road for sale, that seemed more the right size. The Samurai is a day-hiking vehicle, the Pinz more light backpacking.
These are still common in Los Angeles. A friend has one as his DD. Main problem is getting an old carb’d vehicle to pass California’s biannual emissions check. This year it was an $800 cat replacement. Two years ago it was the carburetor. Hard to find an exact legal replacement one.
These are popular in the Caribbean. We rented them in Tortola, Virgin Gordo, St. Johns, St. Croix, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and many other islands. The Caribbean islands are mountainous with very steep tiny roads. The gas mileage of the Samurai, combined with their size, made them perfect little vehicles for paradise.
I’ve driven many of them. The best one I had was an old one I found in Tortola that no longer had a roof. The seats were replaced. The transmission and clutch was replaced. Consequently, I fit right in on the island whenever I worked there. It rains almost daily, so you got wet. It shifted well, was very comfortable and didn’t have any of the new stiffness the newer Suzuki vehicles suffered from.
Nice and crude, fun and a blast in the right place!
My brother had one from 1992 to 2000 (post Opel Kadett D and pre Jeep CJ7).
Very capable, off-road. Narrow, short wheelbase and -above all- a real lightweight. It seemed to stay on top of sand and mud, whereas the bigger, heavier and much more expensive stuff sank away, only producing noise and waves of mud.
I just bought a 1994 geo tracker 4×4 in great condition conserding the age.I’m in the processes of replacing the timing belt and repairing oil leaks.
One of my best friends has one, it is a hoot to drive both to the beach and in the snow. I’ve never driven a more capable vehicle in the snow than a Samuari with snow tires. It’s quirky and fun. There are two others in my local area (Erie, PA) that I see frequently.
I have taken my friends Samuari off roading, it was properly capable.
Well here in Florida they have become very popular, specially among us middle aged puertorricans who grew up driving them. I personally had one assigned to me at work back in 1988. It was a white one with the tin top. Nowadays I have gone back to work on the not so distant cousin, the Samurai and/or Tracker. So farwe I’ve owned four. Still working on number 1 and number 4. Number 2 and 3 already sold. Only number 2 was a two wheel drive.
I still have mine. I love it. Bought it from the original owner with 53k miles. I don’t use it much anymore but when the weather gets better I’ll take her out. I haven’t wanted to mess with the ac because it’s all original so far but in TX you need ac.
That looks fantastic. Nice ride!
Here in southern New Jersey there are a few of my Zuki’s cousins local. I follow a bunch more on Instagram north of me. Definitely a head turner and a conversation starter. I get a lot of “i used to have one of those”. What is best about it……Not just another Jeep…..Nothing against Jeeps, I happen to really like the older ones.
Very rare is this Daihatsu Rocky from Toronto
Very rare is this Daihatsu Rocky from Toronto
I had a 1972 that I loved. It was a two cycle 359 cc with right hand drive. With 10 15 tires it would go where I couldn’t walk. Sadly I moved from Alaska and sold it to a friend.
Still very common where I am, but it’s hard to find one completely stock as many of them are used as “training wheels” for off-road enthusiasts. The newer Jimny that replaced it, especially the soft-top versions which were common as hired cars, are now getting the ‘mini monster truck’ treatment too.
I have one here in porterville ca. And there is Alot here they are real good on gas and can go anywhere mines is real good in mud climbing rocks.
I drove my samurai daily for about 3 years from 93-96 . Snow , rain ,dry , offroad . I could not get it stuck , broke thru ice into a creek with a 6 inch ice shelf to get back out surrounded by ice and it made it. I used to drive it at times on rt76 into Philadelphia, 60 mph maximum , got alot of waves and thumbs up , kids loved it
I bought mine few years ago and love it. It’s getting hard to find these in good shape anymore. Ended up flying to Idaho to get mine. I converted it to a turbo diesel and keep it tucked away for sunny days.
What a fun machine!
Jean Jennings wrote an article once about her trip across the outback in a 2 stroke diesel Samurai only 2 cylinders, with a couple of drunk Aussies. Hilarious.