Yesterday we took a look at the Vanden Plas Princess lurking under the overhang. Today, we’ll explore the model in the foreground that looks like it is being driven more regularly – it’s a mid to late-1980’s Daihatsu Mira Walk-Through Van – this one with an aftermarket customized Mini-styled front clip.
659 cc three cylinder
These Walk-Through’s were built from 1986 – 90 and most were kei-class sized, with a 659 cc three cylinder, both normally aspirated and Turbo. A marginally larger model was also produced which came with a 847 cc powerplant.
The Walk-Through was mostly a commercial vehicle – the cleaners we used had one for deliveries and they are popular as small food trucks selling everything from vegetables to crepes. Again, the Mini front clip is very popular.
Quite roomy for such a small vehicle – seats other than the driver’s were optional.
Faux VW
Faux Chevy
Faux Dodge A100
Faux Citroen H
I’m sure CC readers know there is a thriving aftermarket here in Japan that makes retro faux front clips for kei class cars and vans – the most well known being those that mimic the VW Type 2 Transporter, but others as well. I’ve never looked into it, but assume it’s all done legally with appropriate licensing.
What really threw me for a loop was both the Princess and Daihatsu were parked in the lot of a small building with a sign out front that said “Country Bar” – Japan never ceases to amaze me.
Tell us more about the Country Bar. British beer on tap?
I knew I’d seen that van somewhere before…
So did I.
What’s this
It’s this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tjorven_%28vehicle%29
Looks like there is more than one Mini kit; the aqua car has the fenders much closer to horizontal.
I had no idea these existed. The VW and the A100 are pretty awesome!
Interesting finds. The Mini front end works quite well on it. The VW and shrunken Chevrolet work even better. There is a fake VW that I see around here quite often.
Dream Factory Blow seems to be the leading producer of these kits. I’ve also seen 67-72 Chevy Suburban and pickup conversions based on a Suzuki Wagon R.
The Mini front end is a new one to me, but it works well with shape, like something BMC might have built.
Interesting. I had seen the Wolsey in the background of the first shot, parked up in Inagi.
Probably the same owner, given the interest in ‘slightly unusual’ vehicles.