Japanese Kei cars converted to look like vintage American vans.

Funny and cool! It's like a van version of the retro Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger. The odd proportions make it look like one of my cartoon van drawings!

Let's see some of your drawings!

I like Vanadian's avatar drawing.

There is another thread here on these from a few years back.
They use the Honda Kei (light-weight) vans for the conversion.
There is an importer in the LA area who brings over Japanese cars and KEI vehicles for sale. http://minitruckdealer.com/
They have a Daihatsu van on EBay right now...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-Daihatsu-Hijet-Van-4WD-5spd-AC-push-button-4X4-Hi-Roof-CD-4-passenger-/170973714917?_trksid=p4506.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4899794371226671943

They do not have any Honda vans in California OR Japan right now.

They are also not legal for road use here in the states, AFAIK. I will check AZ laws on this, since ATVs can be driven here.
From the mini truck dealer website

Can I drive them anywhere?

Anywhere except on U.S. public roads. Mini trucks are not meant for public road use and are exclusively for off road use. Our mini trucks are equipped with speed controllers which prevent these trucks from exceeding a maximum speed of 25 mph, in compliance with U.S. law.

Really strange that they install a governor on them, but do not deal with the import paperwork.
See http://www.minitruckdealer.com/faq.php
questions 9 and 10.

They also have something called a "Deck Van". Pretty strange lil utility with a tiny outside bed and 4 doors.

How about a Caddy version?

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f19/aftermarket-madness-cadillac-inspired-suzuki-kei-van-44099/


And here is a history of them.
http://mjs.home.xs4all.nl/cabover.html


They ARE or WERE legal in Canada...
http://www.minitruckcanada.com/MiniTrucks/are-mini-trucks-legal.html

Of course, since these have small engines, you could do the typical American thing and stuff MORE POWER, MORE POWER into one...
How about a GSXR powered truck?

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Or maybe a V8 swap?

[youtube]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RcONToOBETE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/youtube]


Or if you consider Tim Allen a wimp, how about one with a LS on nitrous running 11s?

[youtube]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f5Wo46v6wzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/youtube]


MODS, I did the embed without tags and the vids showed up in Preview, then when posted they didn't work.
I tried to wrap them in the Insert Video tags, and they still don't work!
How can I imbed?

Here are a couple of van drawings I've done:





And here's a fun little import van I saw for sale here in San Diego:

those drawings r great.....