Here’s a face that should be new to US readers but familiar to folks in Southeast Asia and Down Under. And of course, it’s familiar to us in Latin America. A second-generation Toyota HiAce, built from 1977 to 1982. A survivor from the earlier days of a nameplate that’s become better known in recent times around the globe. Partly as the model has become available in more markets, and partly from its appearance in online sources.
I’ve previously talked about these early HiAces, with a first-generation model found last year in San Salvador. Basically, the HiAce was Toyota’s first offering in the family-sized commercial van market. A straightforward cab-over design, boxy as could be, that provided the most useful space within its dimensions. It first appeared in 1967 in truck form and as a van the following year. Both aimed at the commercial market.
As such, HiAce vans found much acceptance as delivery vehicles and as workers’ commuting transport. With the latter carrying up to 8, 12, or 15 passengers depending on size.
Outside Japan, the HiAce was quickly adopted in Southeast Asia and Latin America. By the time the new ’77 models arrived, the nameplate was pretty well established.
Regardless of the new and more streamlined exterior, much of the old hardware was carried over. Underneath, the HiAce retained its cab-over design in FR layout. Some reshuffling of R Toyota engines had taken place, with the model now offering 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 L displacements, and with a 2.2L diesel making its first appearance. Of course, interior accommodations had been updated, and dimensions had grown slightly in all directions.
As can be seen, the HiAce’s second-gen styling belonged to Toyota’s Googley-eye period. The effect may be lost today, but back when these came out they looked almost space-agey. At least around Latin American cities.
Not that the space-age motif carried over to the back, with the rear’s design being more task oriented.
These were favorites with local schools and workplaces; serving faithfully, if not speedily around San Salvador. For the most part, local users found these spacious and comfortable, and ultimately, dependable. The latter, the attribute they cared most about. As long as rust was kept at bay, a Toyota of this age lasted forever. Something this surviving sample pretty much proves.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1976 Toyota HiAce – Days Of Wine And Loaves
Rental Car Review: 2017 Toyota HiAce – My Day As A White Man Van
Available in the UK as well, but usually seen as vans.
I remember renting one of these with driver in St. Lucia when I was there on vacation, indeed it was slow but didn’t struggle on any hills either .
-Nate
Was in Europa too a Good Deal. Betther than a VW Transporter.
I’ll just park this here…
Looks great, Peter! Nice customizing and colour.
Thanks. It’s an old kit from the eighties, and I think that was a (shhh!) Nissan colour.
It does look like a factory colour. The porthole and sidepipes are excellent additions. Very cool!
Hi Ace is the generic van in NZ though old ones are rare now and new ones are Toyota by PSA, we still get the Japanese previous versions by the shipload often brand new, I guess they are cheaper than the newer safer model, Mostly they are reliable until rust takes over then they become uneconomical to repair.
They used to be not uncommon over here – and very long-lived when Toyota finally overcame the tinworm.
Oddly, the Japanese never really dominated the van market – a bit between-sized once 3.5 tonner snub-noses dominated the market.
Pick-ups and forward-control 3.5-5.0 tonne builder’s trucks yes, but as stated heretofore, the vans are merely badge-engineered Eurotrash.