Stylish kei-truck for both public and private use

Sitting in the midsummer sunshine of the Shonan Marina is a cute kei-truck camper. The front end is clad in a Ford Econoline-style face kit, while the rear is fitted with an FRP shell kit. It also carries a horizontal lift pop-up roof. Driving around town in such a stylish vehicle is sure to be a hit on social media.

Motif based on the Ford E-series design

This car was built by Blow, a long-established custom fiber works company with a factory in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The company’s most representative items are face kits made of FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic), which allow a high degree of freedom in modeling. One of the most talked-about items is the ‘Funny Rider’, a stylish and cute-looking vehicle based on the Daihatsu 500 series ‘Hijet Truck’, which is introduced here.

The Funny Rider is based on the design of the second-generation Ford Econoline, which was a big hit from the late 1960s to the 1970s. Its visibly adorable face not only allows it to express its individuality in town driving, but also makes a strong impact on customers when out and about on business, making it a truly ‘presentable’ car in both public and private life.

Since its display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Funny Rider has gone through a prototype based on the S500-series Hijet truck, before the commercialization of the face kit. The charming face, like that of the second-generation Ford Econoline, has gained support not only from fans who knew the car back in the day, but also from the younger generation of light car drivers.

Many elements enhance the classical mood

The current car’s face kit has been given a chrome finish, which enhances the classical mood of the car. The FRP shell kit mounted on the cargo bed and the rear doors with double swinging doors also contribute to the retro effect.

Optional sliding windows, screens, and windows with blinds are also available. Cute round peep windows can also be fitted on either side. Also, a peek into the interior reveals a spacious area for two adults. And thanks to the optional horizontal lift pop-up roof, adults can stand up and enjoy the wide, bright, and pleasant sunshine.

Order-made and customizable to the owner’s liking

Body shell kits, which make the Hijet truck more fashionable, are only sold as new car complete kits or as fittings for vehicles that have been brought in. There are a variety of uses, and a particular need is the demand for kitchen cars not only as private machines, but also as mobile kitchen car shops. The highly flexible design allows for customization to the owner’s liking, with interior specifications, folding counters, and even doors that can be custom-designed to the owner’s liking.

translated by DeepL