Photo: Japan-Partner.com
Looking at these tiny kei cars that are so popular in Japan, you’d be excused if you imagined that traveling over there would feel like going to a modern version of the Shire from Lord of the Rings.
Of course, it’s nothing like that. Except for some of their vehicles. The so-called kei cars are extremely popular, and it seems like the Japanese have come up with a scale of their own, as it’s not just passenger cars that are affected by this shrinking phenomenon but also utility vehicles.
One such very fine example is the Subaru Sambar, a small van that can also be ordered as a pickup with a flatbed. Well, if you’re going to get a car that is guaranteed to make you the main traffic attraction (or laughing stock, it depends), you might as well go to town and pick a Volkswagen Love Van conversion.
Also known as the Volkswagen Transporter T1, the iconic van was a symbol of the hippie movement and still makes a lot of people nostalgic with its painted V at the front, circular headlights and large VW badge in the middle.
The little Subaru Sambar does its best to mimic the key features of the VW model, and even though the result is less than perfect, it’s also instantly recognizable. And we guess that’s the whole point.
But if the front of the Subaru Mini Love Van is well-enough made, whoever was in charge of the conversion did a much sloppier job at the rear, where the connection is completely lost. The side isn’t a work of art either, but the overall impression is helped by the one-piece wheel hubs.
Inside, the modified Subaru is showing its age, while the extended use of white plastic is proving to have been a poor decision as it now looks filthy and old. The red vinyl on the seats is also pretty battered, while the absence of headrests makes the already terrifying prospect of a crash in this car even more scary. And with the steering wheel on the right side of the car (it is, after all, a JDM model), every overtake is possibly the last. Good thing you won’t be able to find that many vehicles that are slower than you.
Should you still be interested in this weird machine, it’s currently for sale with a price tag of $8,000. With all charges included (export and shipping), it comes up to roughly $9.250. That’s a lot more than what it’s worth, if you ask us, but if you’re the kind of guy who isn’t interested in making a smart investment and like to make people laugh, then give it a go.
One such very fine example is the Subaru Sambar, a small van that can also be ordered as a pickup with a flatbed. Well, if you’re going to get a car that is guaranteed to make you the main traffic attraction (or laughing stock, it depends), you might as well go to town and pick a Volkswagen Love Van conversion.
Also known as the Volkswagen Transporter T1, the iconic van was a symbol of the hippie movement and still makes a lot of people nostalgic with its painted V at the front, circular headlights and large VW badge in the middle.
The little Subaru Sambar does its best to mimic the key features of the VW model, and even though the result is less than perfect, it’s also instantly recognizable. And we guess that’s the whole point.
But if the front of the Subaru Mini Love Van is well-enough made, whoever was in charge of the conversion did a much sloppier job at the rear, where the connection is completely lost. The side isn’t a work of art either, but the overall impression is helped by the one-piece wheel hubs.
Inside, the modified Subaru is showing its age, while the extended use of white plastic is proving to have been a poor decision as it now looks filthy and old. The red vinyl on the seats is also pretty battered, while the absence of headrests makes the already terrifying prospect of a crash in this car even more scary. And with the steering wheel on the right side of the car (it is, after all, a JDM model), every overtake is possibly the last. Good thing you won’t be able to find that many vehicles that are slower than you.
Should you still be interested in this weird machine, it’s currently for sale with a price tag of $8,000. With all charges included (export and shipping), it comes up to roughly $9.250. That’s a lot more than what it’s worth, if you ask us, but if you’re the kind of guy who isn’t interested in making a smart investment and like to make people laugh, then give it a go.
Google News