Here’s another neat find from the Cohort, provided by frequent contributor johnh875. I am not sure if this is more of a mobile sign than a functioning vehicle, but if it is, it’s nice to have plenty of spares, eh? I think this is a kei-class Toyota van, as it looks like a mini Toyota Hiace/Toyota Van to me. Nice find!
(kei-class vehicles by their definition can’t exceed 11 feet and 660cc; tiny, in other words. This is a typical mid-sized Japanese van-chassis, in this case a Mitsubishi Delica. But it was also sold as the Chrysler L300 in Australia, where this is likely from. Looks a lot like the Dodge A100, eh? – Ed)
I like small vans very much for their excellent interior space for compact vehicles, but somehow the prospect of being a part of the front crumple zone doesn’t appeal to me. Cheers to A100 (and VW) drivers though!
I can imagine a small cube van built on this. Has to be better mileage than the one ton Chevy cube I did service in. I like it.
How come the coolest stuff is overseas. Oh yeah, I remember. The federal glee club.
Mitsubishi L300 in OZ the Delica name is unknown there, Delicas litter NZ but theyre ex JDM
Nah Aus has plenty of the late ’90s Space Gear 4WD ones these days that have come in from Japan. But yeah, otherwise they’re unknown – certainly not as early as the Mitsu subject vehicle is.
That is definitely the Mitsubishi L300. These were NOT Kei van, as it’s pretty big. Maybe a tad smaller than a Dodge A100. In Indonesia they used to be extremely popular, and in fact still being produced and sold as new today. Had a 1.6l gas engine and a 2.5l diesel engine, with a 4 speed “on the tree” manual. I think the gas engine is gone, though. These were crude but very simple, strong and durable, which is probably why it’s still being built today, even though it’s horribly outdated.
BTW, there’s a reason why you can’t find any in the States. This thing probably won’t pass any kind of safety standard. There’s nothing protecting your legs but some flimsy, thin sheet metal.
They did sell forward-control Nissan & Toyota vans/minivans in the States in the early 80’s which is the vintage of this ‘van’
I think this is just some decoration for their used tyre cage. rupewrecht is correct on the Hyundai Excel sedan (or Accent in the US, the X3 model), as the place is a panel shop that also buys & sells cars. They often have some interesting old iron there, such as a few Chrysler Valiants that were in the photos accompanying this one.
I’m more interested in the car that seems to be floating in mid air.
Half a Hyundai Excel Sedan? 😉