1994 Mitsubishi Space Gear

Seattle got its annual snow storm over the holidays. And when the steep, narrow streets of Queen Anne are icy, this 4-wheel drive van is just what you need. Notice that it's a lot narrower than you'd expect for a vehicle like this. The Mitsubishi Delica L400 van, despite being a right-hand drive vehicle designed for use in Japan, is so popular in Seattle I see one just about every day.

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1993 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon

The Delica is the only vehicle designed for use in Japan that's developing a cult following in the US. I have seen several in Seattle. It's as if someone designed a vehicle for the zombie apocalypse. Enormous push-bar on the front, serious off-road capability, high clearance, diesel powered (a fuel you can make at home). Of course you'll need someone to ride shotgun (literally) when the undead hit the highways as you'll be steering with your right hand while shifting through five forward gears with your left.

Generally speaking, this is not an appropriate vehicle for Americans, who love to buy monster SUVs and then drive them only on suburban expressways. The Delica has an 85 horsepower engine (mounted under the driver) that doesn't cruise very well above 60 mph.

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1991 Honda Acty - minitruck roundup

All of the big carmakers in Japan make this same truck: very small engine mounted forward of the rear axle under the bed, full-time 4-wheel drive, manual transmission. The Acty engine is 547 cc; an engine that size would not be considered large in a motorcycle. These trucks do not of course meet American standards for safety and emissions, but it's legal to drive vehicles on the street that don't meet those standards once they are 25 years old. The other two trucks below are a 1990 Mitsubishi Mini Cab with dump truck bed, and a circa-1990 Suzuki Carry 660.

 

   

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