In Japan, there is an appreciation for retro designs, something that was demonstrated earlier by Nissan’s Pike cars; a series of retro models that began with the BE-1 from 1987, and in other models of the range showed their fascination with the ADO16 Princess, Renault 4, Mini, etc. The Nissan March became a popular target for giving a retro face to a modern platform, but there was another trend that was not a single model but a category. It was (mostly) Kei class vans that had their faces swapped with classic faces ranging from Volkswagen, UAZ, to American vans. Let’s go on a quick tour of these fascinating vans.
The Volkswagen Type 2 van is the most popular inspiration, which makes sense given its cultural impact. The base for this particular example is a 2017 Mitsubishi Minicab. An earlier, rear engine Subaru Sambar would make for the most authentic donor vehicle, as this kit seems to be available for almost all Kei vans (and trucks that share a front end with the van).
Some will limit the conversion to just the front while others will have the sides, rear and interior converted as well.
You can also get a later style VW bus for those who prefer it. Note the Volkswagen symbol is not present, but an alternate has been chosen.
Some conversions are less authentic than others, as shown on this 2003 Subaru Sambar van. Around the year 2000 or so, the faces of Kei van became a little less flat due to safety regulations.
This 1994 Subaru Sambar shows off its flatter face.
Not all van conversions are Volkswagens, as this Citroën H-van inspired 2007 Honda Vamos Hobio shows. The company that makes this kit gives it the fantastic name of “Franch”.
This owner doubled the fun with their H-van being a motorhome conversion of a 2014 Daihatsu Hijet Truck.
My personal favorite has to be the UAZ front end on a Subaru Sambar equipped with four wheel drive. It does really need a more dour color and basic steel wheels to capture the spirit of this Russian legend. Apparently these vans are popular in Japan and valued for their simplicity and living fossil status. The Subaru is likely easier to keep running, as well as being faster, despite only having a 660cc engine.
This 2008 Subaru Sambar truck is perfect. The color, the roof rack and the steel wheels with partial hubcaps give it a faithful rugged appearance.
The American makes are not safe either with this Honda Vamos dolled up to recall a 1970s Dodge.
Not a Dodge fan? How about these others? I think from left to right, the top row is; Chevrolet, Ford, International, Dodge. The bottom row Willys, Ford, Ford and a 50s Chevrolet sedan? The older Ford design as well as the International are based on larger Toyota HiAce designs rather than Kei class vans.
How about this 1957 inspired 2005 Daihatsu Hijet Cargo? Presumably real chrome would be too heavy and expensive, so this one settles for painted fiberglass.
This 2019 Suzuki Every Join channels a Checker for its front end makeover. While it is still jolting, it is more successful to my eyes than the Chevrolet above.
There are even a few Japanese retros. This Honda Vamos looks to its older self for inspiration, making for a tidy little package.
Perhaps less successful is the older TN360 look-a-like. The other is maybe a Datsun inspiration?
These conversions work because these trucks and vans have front exterior panels that can be unbolted and be replaced with fiberglass ones without any loss of structural integrity.
There are even a few factory made retro vans and trucks like this 1995 Subaru Sambar Dias Classic. These vans were obviously not aping specific design, but were retro inspired in general.
The facelifted version lost a bit of character but still had charm. It did gain fuel injection however.
This 1997 Mitsubishi Minica Toppo Town Bee makes a bold statement.
Finally here is a 1997 Daihatsu Atrai van sporting a very Daimler-esque grille from the factory. Which one of these retro vans or trucks grabs your fancy? For myself it would be first-generation Subaru Sambar Classic or a UAZ conversion.
I love all of these! And had no idea that such things existed. What a great morning slideshow!
Great conversions – and I usually don’t like imitation retro. I’d like to see someone do a Divco milk truck.
Very cool, pretty clever…!!!
I’m kind of partial to those that mimic the American brands, and of these I guess I’d have to choose the International school bus in your composite photo. The shortest of all short buses. Excellent.
I just love the idea that there are enough buyers in Japan to make the production of these aftermarket kits financially feasible. I know that we don’t really have vehicles over here that would easily lend themselves to this type of conversion (and the Rolls Royce hoods/grills on VW bugs that were a thing for a while don’t count because a) age and b) they were pretty awful and ridiculous for the most part)…but I somehow think that the American consciousness is just missing the fun-gene that inspires these creations in Japan. So thank goodness for Japan, which nearly always finds a way to have an extra dose of fun with consumer products.
It is fun to see what has been made around the world that we never see in The U.S. Thanks.
I love them all, especially the UAZ van.
My son has been trying to get me to do this (expensive) Citroen H van makeover on my Promaster:
That does look fantastic but certainly does not appear inexpensive to pull off. Plus, it would require a re-paint on a not small vehicle.
Yes, way too much for what is now a 9 year old van. A lot cheaper would be a Citroen Relay grille (below) or a Peugeot Boxer grill to give it a bit of distinction.
I like all of these and figure in twenty years any that are left will be imported to the U.S.A. .
-Nate
The earlier Subaru Sambars are already legal. I have heard that folks have had issues with the Volkswagen ones at the port. It is apparently a bit hit and miss.
It is only 15 years in Canada, and although I know it is unlikely, I am hoping that with all the things happening with trade, that Canada might start allowing some of these types of vehicles as new cars.
In the eighties I had the opportunity to drive a Subaru Sambar when I was in Bahamas. I loved it and I think they would make great city cars here in Canada.
What a delightful article to wake up to. Some of these I had seen before, but many were new to me. I think my favourite would be the ’48-51 Ford truck front on the Hiace (original front below, unfinished). Of the small vans, the Daimler on Daihatsu Atrai has rather an Airflow vibe going on there – on the front only!
I’d love either of the Dodge vans, but especially the A-100 model, since I own a ’69 model!! 🙂
Gr
The apparently defunct Dream Factory Blow made a buch of conversions like this, most notably a kit to make a Suzuki Wagon R look like a 67-72 Suburban, or with ome bodywork, a tine C10. They also had Ford econline kits and I think some older US van dress ups
https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2017/08/dream-factory-blow-company-in-japan.html?m=0&template=default
On a grander scale the Mitsuoka Buddy made a 2020-2024 RAV-4 into a Suburban tribute, and Tomica does a die cast model
This company seems to make some of these now.
https://www.calstage.jp/
I am unsure how they made the Wagon R into a C10 truck. I like it but that would be a pile of work to cut off the roof.
I think the majority were just done as Suburbans since making a pickup would have required cutting off the roof, welding the doors and fabricating a bed. It can be done, just look at a Smythe Ute kit
Also I just remembered that if you want to import one of these cosplay vans to the US, remove any badges. There was an incident where a Sambar with a VW emblem was confiscated and crushed as counterfeit goods