I've always big a fan of the early Chevy Luv, Datsun 1320 or 620, and of course the Mazda PEPU. Something about a rotary and truck is so wrong it's right!
Of course I've always been fond of mini trucks. Once I bring my 92 S10 home (it's currently at my grandmothers house), it's getting overhauled and bagged. But keeping the OEM looks and lack of performance.
Looking for Datsun trucks on craigslist.org
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5128414492.html
I found that... w0000
As what span of years are considered classis?
Before 83. Pre ranger/s10 era
Very cool trucks. Too bad that segment went away. I wonder if it was because people didn't want them anymore or the manufacturers could make far more money on the loaded up behemoths of today?
It makes me sad that when I search my local cl for all of these I get a big fat zero for results. My dad used to have a Chevy luv in the 80s, I would love a small economical truck to run around in.
I couldn't help but giggle when I saw this 'mini-truck' running in the local vintage races. 
Feedyurhed wrote: Very cool trucks. Too bad that segment went away. I wonder if it was because people didn't want them anymore or the manufacturers could make far more money on the loaded up behemoths of today?
Because people got fatter, lazier, and don't know how to drive anymore. That's why trucks/cars are getting bigger and bigger, and the government is forcing automakers to add features like back up camera's, blind spot monitors, ect ect. Instead of people just paying attention when they drive (always a distraction), the government forces companies to add safety features. Hell it took me 3 weeks to find my tc Monogram edition in a proper 6spd. Sure automatic's are far better than they used to be, but I do enjoy a proper manual transmission. Find a manual transmission truck now day's is probably just as hard.
I'm all in favor of bringing back the simple cars/trucks, and not making "compact trucks" the size of full size trucks of the 80's 90's!
Burrito wrote: I saw this beautiful example of an early Courier at the Portland Historic Races a few weeks back.Ticks a few boxes.
I owned one exactly like that (same color). That thing is lowered, and if the trailer is hooked to it absolutely has an engine swap. The Mazda 1.8 in those couldn't pull a lawn mower. Dismal engine and non-self-adjusting brakes aside (2 wheel cylinders per corner...oh what fun) I liked that little truck. Handled really well and had tons of character. Wish I'd kept it and did the planned V6 Ford swap that the next owner finished.
In reply to ddavidv:
They're certainly not fast, but finding parts from later models makes a disc brake swap for the front possible (doing that right now on mine).
Also lots of room for engine swaps as you mentioned .
OP if you cant tell I want you to get a Courier! So much character to them.
Feedyurhed wrote: Very cool trucks. Too bad that segment went away. I wonder if it was because people didn't want them anymore or the manufacturers could make far more money on the loaded up behemoths of today?
As for any vehicle, if there is a significant market, someone would build one.
Quite a few of the mini trucks were made off of cars- in my drivers Ed class back in 1982, we had a Rabbit based pick up. It's not as if it takes the world to make one.
But the market just isn't there- as evidenced by the shrunken small trucks- Rangers are gone, S-10 is gone, but gotten bigger in the Colorado. A lot of these trucks were there to game the CAFE numbers- so in the market, they were largely given away- or at least sold with a major loss. Now that the rules have changed, and the idea of selling at a loss has largely gone away- well... pretty natural result.
People are not forced into large trucks, they just get them. There are choices out there for what full size trucks were 40 years ago (Colorado et al), but they choose to get the massive full size trucks for some reason. As a consumer, I don't like them. But it's hard to argue with 1.4M sales from the top two selling vehicles that happen to be full size trucks.
As an alternative- people can get small vans or small SUV/CUVs. And those, too, sell really well.
alfadriver wrote:Feedyurhed wrote: Very cool trucks. Too bad that segment went away. I wonder if it was because people didn't want them anymore or the manufacturers could make far more money on the loaded up behemoths of today?As for any vehicle, if there is a significant market, *someone* would build one. Quite a few of the mini trucks were made off of cars- in my drivers Ed class back in 1982, we had a Rabbit based pick up. It's not as if it takes the world to make one. But the market just isn't there- as evidenced by the shrunken small trucks- Rangers are gone, S-10 is gone, but gotten bigger in the Colorado. A lot of these trucks were there to game the CAFE numbers- so in the market, they were largely given away- or at least sold with a major loss. Now that the rules have changed, and the idea of selling at a loss has largely gone away- well... pretty natural result. People are not forced into large trucks, they just get them. There are choices out there for what full size trucks were 40 years ago (Colorado et al), but they choose to get the massive full size trucks for some reason. As a consumer, I don't like them. But it's hard to argue with 1.4M sales from the top two selling vehicles that happen to be full size trucks. As an alternative- people can get small vans or small SUV/CUVs. And those, too, sell really well.
I think an affordable ($20,000-$25,000 truck) would be great for the market. If we are building crossovers off of car platforms, why can't we do the same for compact trucks in the same spirit as the 80's VW Caddy (Rabbit Pickup)? The Colorado looks good but by the time you put 4WD on it the price shoots up to $30,000 at which point I would just say spend a few thousand more and get a Silverado!
When's the tata truck coming? Anyone anyone, buehler?
In reply to Contradiction:
Those vehicles exist in the world. But are not sold here for a reason.
Just like the smallest new truck you can get here is basically a full sized truck of the 80's.
If there really was money to be made, they would come.
After looking through this thread I have decided I need a mini truck.
Some of my old Mini trucks...
in progress:
Finished:
I also had another LUV, a 620 King Cab, and a '78 Courier. All customized. Would love to have an '80s Toyota longbed extra cab:
saw this pic from the Ocean City Maryland strip at H2Oi this year and thought of this thread:
Thats a little slammed for my liking but wow does that look good.
Mine is for sale.... 
Dang that looks good Duke. I think that blue paint is one of the few colors that I still like as it fades and wears away.
I posted this pic in my courier's thread, but it fits in this thread much better. Someone posted it to the Facebook page for Couriers a little while back..
definitely newer than most discussed here, but man is this Dodge/Mitsu clean!
Improved?
You'll need to log in to post.
