One staple of the minivan, as compared to vehicles in other segments, is the wide variety of options and powertrain configurations available. Even Honda, traditionally averse to providing stand-alone options, has been forced to come up with a variety of trim levels to market its Odyssey (LX and EX simply don’t cut it). This Mitsubishi Delica is a perfect example of what I’m talking about–while often seen in very austere trim, there were many equipped like the one seen here. “Kitted-out” is a most-appropriate descriptor of this box, done up in a way that leaves even the most expensive Town and Country looking subtle by comparison.
Not much of the equipment seen is for the benefit of the driver; while the brush guard and projector beam headlights shout, “I paid for all the options,” inside this van, the swiveling seats and curtains do little for the person behind the wheel (unless they take it on a poorly maintained trail for the ultimate picnic). It’s a great way to vicariously experience childhood pleasures and very much in keeping with the goal some parents have of providing their offspring with comforts they were denied in their own youth.
What makes this imported example, shot by nifty43, stand out is the extent to which it spoils those in the rear, simply outdoing anything sold on US shores at the time. This, despite the Mitsubishi’s more utilitarian roots, high ground clearance and dual-range four-wheel drive (just how often were these taken off-road?). Compared to, say, a contemporary Voyager with a V6, it very much comes across as a toy for grown-ups, the Plymouth seeming much more purpose-built.
So it should be no wonder that these vans have a bit of a cult following in Canada, where they can be easily imported. Our featured white example looks to be an early ’90s model, and such a van can be had in good condition for about $4,000. If the sheer nerdiness of this British Columbian curio isn’t enough as is, it seems many people like to run them on waste veggie oil. As a vehicle very much conceived with the goal of keeping up with the Joneses (or the Nakamuras) with a brush guard, a turbodiesel, sunroofs and velour galore, the hyper-weirdness of this four-wheel drive cabover almost leaves it lost in translation. But ironically enough, parked here on a wide North American street, it’s as cool as ever.
Related reading: CC Capsule: Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear 4×4 Van – It Checks All The Right Boxes Except One
In Tokyo, if you take an out bound expressway on a Saturday morning, every other rig is a van trimmed out like this one. I’m sure many Japanese families keep one in their backyard and only break it out for weekend use- They take the train to work, and walk over for shopping.
Apparently they are surprisingly capable off road, but I’d imagine they would be perfect around places like Sapporo in the ski season!
I wonder, when seeing those vans tricked out with chrome bull bar, fender flares, chrome ladder and roof rack, etc., do the Japanese turn up their noses the same way we do when seeing a lifted pickup truck?
Yes, quite often- minivans are regarded often as a bit trashy, or so I understand.
Would be great if we could get these in the US. All we got was the Van, nicknamed ‘The toaster’, and they were few and far between. 4WD Diesel for 4k, sign me up.
It’s proportions, and short wheelbase, remind me somewhat of the 30 foot version of the RTS bus.
The brush guard and yellow lights look like it had a bad day at the orthodontist…
What? A base Exceed, not the Super Exceed? Most of the used imports we see in Australia are the top-of-the-line model, like this.
Exceed indeed. Every detail has details inside it and details inside the details ad infinitum. Hatches inside flaps inside doors, screens inside knobs inside levers.
This is “But wait, there’s more” to the (But wait, there’s more)th power.
CC-effect, y’all: I JUST saw a late ’80s Mitsu van while running a quick errand. Didn’t have my camera, of course.
There was a great article in the national paper (Globe & Mail) on the numerous Delicas (@1,500) showing up in British Columbia recently, and the backlash against them :
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/industry-news/the-quirky-little-car-inspiring-an-automotive-backlash/article19800544/
Interesting article. These Delica/L300s have popped up as grey imports in oz as well. Driven either by immigrant families or outer suburban types who like a bit of an off-road wander.
The statistics on the right hand steering (LHS in oz) I find really interesting. There was chat on CC recently about people who don’t really mind driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the car, but its always concerned me for those .001% moments when sight lines and instincts are crucial.
Wow-very interesting! The backlash against these is silly! Yes, we’re taking their junk. But it’s well-made junk and suits people’s needs. If you want to approach it from an “ethical” standpoint, as many detractors are likely to do, buying an old car is a lot “greener.” Something to think about…
…but really, why complain when you lack the imagination to see why a car like this is so cool? That should be your own damn problem, IMO.
Vancouver may be approaching Delica saturation. On a recent 15 minute bike ride to meet a friend for coffee I counted five of them parked on residential streets, some probably resident-owned but others clearly working vehicles.
Love this era van whether mitsu, Isuzu,Toyota or Nissan. Would happily trade my 4 runner for this. Good find Perry
Put me down as a fan! I love forward control anything. Crumple zones and gub-mint crash ratings be damned. For a recreational 4×4 it makes perfect sense, and even more so when driven in urban areas with crowded streets. Anyone who’s been in the Hawthorne area of Portland (CC hunting grounds too) could appreciate the narrow stance, short wheelbase and insane turning radius. This reminds me a lot of one of my wish-we-got-it-here rigs: The Volvo Laplander.
Trouble is, crash test ratings are generally a pretty important consideration for family vehicles. We’ll never see the likes of these again.
Cool van though.
New Zealand is littered with these diesels petrol auto and manual they are everywhere and cheap especially the diesels they have the Mitsu reputation of being crap but they cant all be crap because there are so many still in use, I drove the previous model quite a lot a friend had one in Tassie it was the only way to get in and out of her place when it rained very capable in mud and general slippery conditions but noisy on the road you can tell it began as a freight van not a passenger car.
Believe it or not, the basic panel version of this van is still in production – about 26 years after it was introduced. Not sure if this high spec 4WD wagon or its 2WD equivalent (yes, there was one, with the Crystal Lite Roof and automatic) has been dropped; I certainly haven’t seen any new ones for a long time, and the 2WD ones all seemed to come in blue and silver.
Cool little vans, and these high-spec 4WD versions are a far cry from the “dorky” reputation the L300 Van had here in the USA during its somewhat brief sales here in the late 80’s.
On a related note I’m surprised that there isn’t more of an enthusiast following for the 4WD versions of the 80’s Toyota Van? Maybe they’re just too uncommon over here. I’ve only seen one in memory (a windowless cargo version no less…)