1993 Subaru Sambar

Since I first became aware of "kei" trucks, I've found them fascinating. And four wheel drive? Almost more than you need!

So small, but remarkably robust looking. You get a sense of how small it is when you see how high the curb comes up on the wheels in #4. Silver seems an unusual colour for these. Much like the Mazda Bongo, the sides of the load bed fold down.

Love the "big truck" style windows, the little latch handle on the gas door, the wire & metal clips that locks the sides and tailgate in place, and the single reverse light. So much functionality in such a small package. Sooner or later I'll post an even smaller truck.

1991 Volkswagen Passat GL

Such a peculiar looking car -- no grille (though not strictly needed) plus a near Saab-like profile. A serious effort at aerodynamics with the flush headlights, rear wing, and rounding of every surface. A nice fine texture in the tail lights and plastic panel between them.

Love the curved slope of the front hood, the slight extrusion of the name stamped into the trunk lid, the shut-line of the rear door which merges with the fender, and how the aluminum wheels are exactly the same colour as the paint.

Next post will be something completely different.

1990 Mazda Bongo truck

What's great about these little Japanese trucks is their absolute minimalism. Small cab on the front, drive train and load bed behind. No ornamentation, little in the way of styling. Fold the sides of the load bed down and you have a flatbed. A hard working truck perfect for it's hard working operator.

1990 Toyota HiAce Super Custom

JDM vans are somewhat common in Vancouver, however I've only seen few of these Toyotas.

Love the sloping, aerodynamic shape of the front door windows, and the interesting shut lines. Plus the extended step in front of the front wheel, and all those seemingly random sunroofs.

1990 Jeep Cherokee 2dr (XJ)

This one is for Mark, the owner, who was so pleased by my interest in his truck.

I believe the two door Cherokee is less common, there being somewhat of a craze for four door SUVs at the time. Regardless, Jeeps of this era are interesting in that they echo the long history of conservative, 'military' looking vehicles while embracing a new style and better technology. So -- no super aerodynamic shape, but smaller and more practical than previous models. Love the oversized wheels/tires, squared off shapes of all lights, windows, grill, even fenders are mostly straight lines.

1990 Nissan S-Cargo

I've been wanting to post an S-Cargo for a while now. There are several around town. Like the Toyota Sera and the Nissan Figaro (which I will get, sooner or later) this was purely meant for Japan, and for whatever odd niche they fit there.

First I love the sheer crazy audacity of creating a van like this -- the vast glass area, the toy like circular shapes, the impractical windows. Next, repeating the shape in the details -- the mirrors, speedometer & dash, taillights, heck even the wheelwells. Once again, it would never happen in North America.

1990 Acura Integra 4dr

Excellent patina, a fine grime coating most under surfaces. I don't know why they ever quite making Integra sedans, they were both refined and practical.

1991 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue

Found in a Safeway parking lot. The gentleman who owns it says it only has 65,000 kms on it & still works well for him. Unfortunately, I could not get profile shot, because it was surrounded by blocking cars.

Of note: chrome strips (everywhere!), broad brushed chrome near the base of the trunk lid and on C pillar, wonderfully excessive padded roof compressed by "Fifth Avenue" badge.

1990 Subaru Loyale Wagon