 |
|
 |
|
|
information courtesy of http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/cabover.html
In April, 1964 came the Daihatsu Hi-Jet Cab with a wheelbase of 178 cm, a 356 cc engine under the front seat and available as a (low deck) pickup, accompanied by a truck in October, 1965 and a van in November, 1965. There was a rigid axle with leaf springs at the rear. In van form this vehicle looked rather dumb with its grille-less front with round headlamps and its high waist line. There was also the Daihatsu New-Line Cab as a pickup or truck with the wheelbase extended with 5 cm, and a length of 321.5 cm and a width of 134.5 cm; the engine was 797 cc.
In May, 1968 arrived the second generation Daihatsu Hijet (without the Cab suffix, as the bonnet type Hi-Jet was succeeded by the Daihatsu Fellow in the meantime) with the wheelbase now only 168 cm, body styles and technical layout were the same as before, with the addition of a pickup available with 2 seats on the deck and a hood with windows. The front looked rather noisy now with its encadred oblong headlights and the van had an unsolid and quite depressing look with its heavy front and rear wheel overhang. The export models were called Daihatsu 360 Cab.
By September, 1971 already came the third generation Daihatsu Hijet pick-up and truck with the same dimensions as before. The van was added by February, 1972 and now had sliding side rear doors, a first in the Kei industry. The vehicles looked much brighter than before with rounded lines, also round headlamps again. In April, 1976 a 547 cc engine became available and the length of these vehicles was 304/309 cm. In the export the models were called Daihatsu 360 Cab and Daihatsu 550 Cab, with a panel van and a minibus available.
In April, 1977 arrived the 4th generation, called Daihatsu Hijet 55 Wide with enlarged dimensions (length 319.5 cm, width 139.5 cm, wheelbase 178 cm, engine 547 cc), the pickup (integral body styling) was deleted. The body looked more solid now. In the export the vehicle was called Daihatsu 55 Wide Cab. The previous generation models remained available.
 
1981 saw the introduction of the 5th generation Daihatsu Hijet which now finally received a matured appearance. The wheelbase was now 182 cm, the body styles initially the same as before with a high-roof van version (also available as panel van) added, and by 1983 an interesting extended (30 cm) cab (high-roof) truck, called Jumbo, the first and only in the Kei vehicle industry; this vehicle looked very balanced with a 164 cm deck (roughly half of the length of the vehicle). By 1982 arrived a four-wheel-drive version (wheelbase 181.5 cm), the high-profile tire versions were called Climber (such versions with 2WD and a non-slip diff adapted this name later). In September 1981 arrived the Daihatsu Hijet Atrai van, later in 1983 simply called Daihatsu Atrai, destined for the buyers who wanted a passenger vehicle, rather than a commercial vehicle; a turbo engine became also available for this vehicle. In the export (now also available in Europe) the vehicles were called Daihatsu 55 Wide Cab and Daihatsu 850 Cab (3-cylinder 843 cc engine); by 1984 arrived the Daihatsu 1000 Cab with a 3-cylinder 993 cc engine, which, rather uniquely, was also available as a diesel; panel van and minibus available as usual. In China, this vehicle is built as Huali (843 cc) with various designations and body styles, among which the interesting Huali TJ6350, an extended (extra length and narrow window between the front and the rear side doors) 8-seat high-roof minibus with a 30 cm longer wheelbase, and the body widened to 156.5 cm, and a length of 354.5 cm; there is also a truck with these dimensions, called Huali TJ1013F. There is also a double-cab 4-door pickup, called Huali TJ1010SL. Early 1998 there was a new front end on the Huali TJ6330 minibus and Huali TJ1010C minivan. Originally, these vehicles were known as Tianjin TJ 110
 
In 1986 came the 6th generation Daihatsu Hijet and Atrai with the 3rd side window extended downwards. The wheelbase was now 181 cm. Engines and body styles remained the same with a supercharger now available in the truck, and the edition of a 4-door (sliding door) double cab (high-roof) pickup, called Deck Van (deck 89 cm long, 127 cm wide); this vehicle was also available as Atrai Deck. The Jumbo cab was now extended with 28 cm, resulting in a deck length of 166 cm, grown to 170 cm by 1990 with the implementation of the new Kei vehicle regulations. At this time the engine became 659 cc and the length 329.5 cm. In the export, the vehicles were now called Hijet as well (993 cc). From 1992 the vehicle was also built in Italy (also with a 1.2 diesel engine), as well as Innocenti Porter, and Piaggio Porter with a 1269 cc 4-valve engine and a 1371 cc diesel engine.
In October, 1967 came the cabover Honda TN360 with a wheelbase of 178 cm as a pickup or truck, the 354 cc engine was now placed further to the rear and a DeDion rear axle with leaf springs was adopted. This vehicle was renamed several times: Honda TNIII by January, 1970, Honda TN-V by August, 1973, adopting double vertical headlights, and Honda TN-7 by August, 1975. In the export the name remained Honda TN360.
 more pictures
In November, 1970 arrived the funny Honda Vamos open doorless cabover truck, with various seat and canvas top variations. It was based on the TN360 and 2,500 were built until 1973.
 more pictures
September, 1972 saw the introduction of the Honda Life Step Van, based on the Honda Life, a semi-front design with a rear rigid axle with leaf springs. A Honda Life Pickup was added in August, 1973. This is the only front-wheel-drive Kei class minivan/pickup ever made in Japan! The van remained available through 1975, the pickup was already deleted in October, 1974 with less than 1,500 made.
So came in September, 1977 the 3rd generation minitruck, now called Honda TN Acty, with a wheelbase of 185 cm, length 319.5 cm, width 139.5 cm, engine 545 cc, same technical layout and bodies as before. In June, 1980 the first Honda full-front minivan was added with a rather angular styling. A high-roof version was added in February, 1981, as well as a less commercial version, the Acty Street. Later models were also known as Honda Acty. By March, 1983 four-wheel-drive became available.
 
By May, 1988 arrived the 4th generation Honda Acty and Honda Street, now with a wheelbase of 190 cm, truck and high-roof van only, a panel van was available, mediocre albeit neat styling. By 1990 (new regulations) the length became 325.5 cm for the truck and 329.5 cm for the van and the engine, still placed before the rear axle, grew to 656 cc. There was also an extra high-roof van with side windows in the roof and suited for carrying a disabled person in a wheelchair, called Honda Acty Almas and Honda Street Almas.
 
In about 1959 arrived the Kurogane KB pickup (hooded version with 2 seats on the deck available) and van with a wheelbase of 175 cm, a length of 299 cm and a width of 127.8 cm. The rather highly built engine was placed at the rear and had 356 cc.
.jpeg) .jpeg)
In April, 1969 Toyo Kogyo introduced the Mazda Porter Cab with a wheelbase of 183.5 cm as a pickup or truck only, a rigid rear axle with leaf springs and a 359 cc engine, placed under the front seats. It featured a quite funny styling with round headlamps with round cadres, giving kind of a spectacles look. By March, 1977 the vehicle was widened to 139.5 cm, and the length grew with 20 cm (to 319.5 cm), nearly all of which benefited to the deck length, as the wheelbase, quite unusual, was not changed. The engine grew to 546 cc, the (integral) pickup was deleted and the 'spectacles' were more rectangular now. The vehicle remained available until the late eighties. In the export it was known as Mazda E360.
Then, in June, 1989 arrived the Autozam Scrum, a clone of the Suzuki Carry/Every as a truck and a van, the 543 cc engine became a 657 cc in 1990.
.jpeg) .jpeg)
In August, 1966 Mitsubishi joined the Kei class minivan/truck market by introducing the Mitsubishi Minicab with a wheelbase of 179 cm as a pickup (by December, 1967 also available with 2 seats on the deck and a hood with windows), truck (December, 1966), and, by February, 1968 a van. The engine, placed under the front seats was 359 cc and the rear axle rigid with leaf springs. The styling was immature as usual in those days. By May, 1971 the van was renamed Mitsubishi Minicab EL.
Then, in June, 1971 the second generation arrived as a truck only, initially called Mitsubishi Minicab EL, the following year it was renamed Mitsubishi Minicab W. The wheelbase was now 174 cm and the boxy cab looked rather neat.
By April, 1976 arrived the third generation, now called Mitsubishi Minicab 5 (471 cc) with a wheelbase of 170 cm; the length was 305 cm for the truck and 306 cm for the van (this second van looked rather busy, it now had sliding side doors), the width remained 129.5 cm, rather strange so shortly before the new standards to come. So, in March, 1977 the vehicle, now called Mitsubishi Minicab Wide 55 (546 cc) was widened to 139.5 cm, the wheelbase extended to 176 cm and the length for the truck became 319.5 cm, for the van 315.5 cm, extra 6 cm length after the front doors, a high-roof van became available in 1980, and four-wheel-drive in 1982. By 1981 the vehicle was renamed simply Mitsubishi Minicab again. In the export the vehicle was called Mitsubishi L100, the engine grew from 546 cc to 644 cc in 1981 and 783 cc in 1984. In China the vehicle is built as Shenwei SYW 1010(X) and Wuling LZ 110, previously called Wuling LZW 1010, which was also built as a minibus and a 4-door double cab pickup (Wuling LZW 1010 SD); engines 644 cc or 797 cc. There has also been a 546 cc minibus (also high-roof), called Liuzhou LZ 110.
 
The 4th generation Mitsubishi Minicab came in 1984 with a wheelbase of 178 cm, a high-roof cab truck became additionally available. The vehicle looked rather neat though the front wheelarch cutting was irregularly shaped. By 1990 the length became 326.5 cm for the van and 322.5 cm for the truck and the engine grew to 657 cc. A less commercial Mitsubishi Minicab Bravo van was available. In the export the vehicle was again known as Mitsubishi L100 with 783 cc, a panel van was now available. In China the vehicle is built as Wuling LZW 6330 (formerly called Wuling LZW 6320) minibus and Wuling LZW 1010 with various suffixes as a van, a truck and a 4-door double cab pickup, with the wheelbase extended to 201 cm and the length to 368 cm; a single cab truck with this wheelbase and a length of 350 cm is also available; engines 797 cc, 870 cc, 900 cc, 970 cc and 993 cc (843 cc and 1061 cc previously available). It is also built as Shenwei SYW 1010A truck. In Taiwan, the vehicle was available with a 3-cylinder 796 cc engine, and with a 1061 cc engine as Mitsubishi Varica minibus, van and truck with a wheelbase of 200 cm (extra length before the rear axle), length and width 370 cm and 147.5 cm respectively. By 2000, the engine became a 4-cylinder 1074 cc or 1198 cc, and the length varied from 385 to 396.5 cm.
In October, 1961 arrived the Suzulight Carry semi-front pickup with a wheelbase of 185 cm and a 359 cc underfloor engine. It had rigid axles with leaf springs both front and rear. By July, 1962 arrived a van and in November, 1964 a truck. In the export it was also known as Suzulight (360) FB.
In June, 1965 came the second generation Suzulight Carry pickup and truck, again a semi-front design, now with a wheelbase of 187 cm and independent front suspension. In January, 1966 became a van available, as well as a 4-seat pickup with an extra seat in the rear deck. This vehicle would remain available through 1970. In the export the vehicle was known as Suzuki 360 (L20).
Then came in March, 1966 the first full-cab Suzuki Carry pickup with a wheelbase of 174.5 cm, next to the Suzulight Carry. By July, 1966 came a hooded pickup with a seat in the rear deck. In January, 1967 arrived a truck, and in March, 1968 a van. The 359 cc engine was placed underfloor and the rear axle was rigid with leaf springs. The styling was rather appealing though immature. In the export the vehicle was known as Suzuki 360 (L30/L31).
 
In July, 1969 arrived the Giugiaro-designed second generation Suzuki Carry as a pickup and truck, with the van following in November, 1969. Dimensions and layout remained the same as before, the styling was more modern, with a questionable cut-off roof back end for the van.
So, the third generation Suzuki Carry was released in 1972, body styles and layout remained the same, the much more appealing van now had sliding doors. In the export the vehicle was known as Suzuki L50 or Suzuki L51 (truck); by 1975 as Suzuki L60 or Suzuki L61 with a 446 cc engine. In May, 1976 the engine became a 539 cc, the name Suzuki Carry 55, this vehicle was called Suzuki ST10 in the export. By September, 1976 (Van: November, 1976) the vehicle was widened to 139.5 cm and the wheelbase lengthened to 184 cm (extra length behind the front door); the length of the vehicle became 315.5 cm for the van and 319.5 cm for the truck and pickup. The vehicle was now called Suzuki Carry Wide 550. In the export this vehicle was known as Suzuki ST20; by 1977 came the Suzuki ST80 with a 797 cc 4-cylinder OHC engine. In China, the vehicle was built as Jilin JL 1010 pickup and 4-door double cab pickup, as well as Jilin JL 6320/6330/6360 minibus (formerly known as Jilin JL 110) and van, both also available with high-roof. An interesting model was the 8-passenger high-roof minibus with the wheelbase stretched to 214.5 cm (extra length and narrow window behind the front door), a length of 345.3 cm, and widened to 154.5 cm. The engines were 796 cc 3-cylinder, 797 cc and 970 cc. There were also the Kaixuan NJD 6330/6340 and pickup Kaixuan NJD 1010.
  
The 4th generation Suzuki Carry came in March, 1979 with the same dimensions, however the engine was now placed under the front seat. The styling was now matured with larger side windows. A high-roof van became available. In Autumn 1980 a 4-stroke OHC 543 cc engine was added, and in mid 1981 a four-wheel-drive with a wheelbase of 185 cm. For the 1984 model year the less commercial Suzuki Every high-roof van was released. In the export this vehicle was known as Suzuki ST30 (539 cc) or Suzuki ST90 (797 cc); in Britain this vehicle was known as Bedford Rascal. Since November, 1984 this vehicle is built in India as Maruti Omni (328 cm, 796 cc), also as a minibus (up to 8 passengers). In Pakistan it is known as Suzuki Bolan (van) and Suzuki Ravi (pickup). In China, this generation was built a as Chang'an SC 1011 pickup or 4-door double cab pickup (length 355 or 365 cm, wheelbase 200 cm, 797 cc, 870 cc and 970 cc), Chang'an SC 1010 van, Chang'an SC 6320 minibus (formerly known as Chang'an SC 112), Chang'an SC 1014 van, Chang'an SC 6331 minibus (the latter two with a length of 327 cm, engines 796 cc, 797 cc, 970 cc), and (also as a 4-door double cab truck) Anchi MC, Changhe CH, Hanjiang SFJ, Songhuajiang HFJ and Feihu HH with various digits behind. The Anchi truck was later known as Anhui Fc1205. In Indonesia, this generation was widened to 146.5 cm, with the wheelbase grown to 194 cm and built as a pickup, the length was 353 cm, and the engine 970 cc.
  
In 1985 arrived the 5th generation Suzuki Carry and Every with the same dimensions, technical layout, body styles and engines. The styling was less appealing with an irregularly shaped front wheel opening. A high-roof truck became available, as well as a turbo on the 543 cc engine. By 1990, in Japan the length of the van and truck (pickup no longer available) became 329.5 cm and 324 cm respectively and the engine grew to 657 cc. In the export the vehicle (panel van available) was known as Suzuki SK 408 (797 cc) and Suzuki SK 410 (970 cc), also as Suzuki Carry and Suzuki Super Carry; in Britain as Bedford Rascal since April 1986, by June, 1990 as Vauxhall Rascal, in Southern Europe as GME Rascal, in Australia as Holden Scurry. In Korea it is built as Daewoo Labo (truck) and Daewoo Damas (van and minibus, with smoothened front wheel opening); in Taiwan as Ford Pronto. In Colombia it was known as Chevrolet Super Carry. This might be the only vehicle in the world that was sold as a Chevrolet as well as a Ford, be it in distant parts of the world. In China, this generation is known as Anhui CH, Changhe CH, Hanjiang SFJ, Songhuajiang HFJ, Kaixuan NJD (both also as a 4-door double cab truck) with various digits behind. One of the Chinese 2-door trucks with a wheelbase of 200 cm is currently sold as Chatenet Yack in France with a diesel engine from Portugal. The FAW Jiefang CA6350 minibus has a different body, a wheelbase of 194 cm, a length of 349 cm, and a width of 144.5 cm, engines 1.0 and 1.1 litre. The Anhui Fc1608 truck has another body with a wheelbase of 220 cm, a length of 380 cm and a width of 148 cm. This 5th generation Carry would remain available in the export until the arrival of the 7th generation in early 1999.
|
|
|
|
|
|
