Equipped with a tuned engine and 5-speed manual
The Life Light Van is a derivative model of the Honda Life. This light van model is a rare vehicle with very few units produced. The owner, who uses such a Life Light Van for commuting, also owns several other Honda 360cc vehicles. What kind of a luxurious old car life is this?
A very rare Life-derived light van model
At the “360! All Together in OSAKA” venue held in the Osaka Port Department, we spotted a Life Light Van, a van-type derivative based on the Honda Life with an enlarged rear end.
The Honda Life, introduced in 1971, was the successor to the N360 and was also powered by a water-cooled version of the N360’s air-cooled four-stroke two-cylinder engine. The initial body variants were a two-door and a four-door fastback sedan. This four-door sedan was also Honda’s first four-door car. A few months after the introduction of the sedan, the rear was extended and a light van and wagon with a hatchgate were added. However, the following year saw the introduction of the Step Van, a tall-wagon derivative, so production of the van in particular is said to have been quite low.
Rare model but commuter fast
It was about three years ago that the owner, Mr. Kakuta (角田), acquired this 1973 Life Light Van. Despite being an extremely rare model, the body and interior were in better condition than he had imagined. So, although he owns several other Honda 360cc vehicles, including a Z and a Life Pickup, he uses this Life Light Van for his commute, which is quite extravagant! And there is another reason why he chose this unit for his commute.
“Actually, the five-speed manual had been swapped in, so I replaced the engine with a tuned engine and twin carburetors. That’s why it runs even more briskly than I imagined. It’s comfortable to commute to work.”
He thus commutes to work every day in this ultra-precious Lifelite van. He says that because he uses it every day, he can keep it in good condition at all times.
Parts supply around the rear is hopeless… but fun to ride!
The front, engine, and suspension parts can be diverted as it is a Life, but the rear body parts are basically hopeless, according to Mr. Kakuta. The rear gate itself, the glass on the three rear sides, and, of course, the taillights and reflectors are different from those of a normal Life, so he is always worried about parts.
By the way, Mr. Kakuta did not drive this Commuter Rapid as it is, but lowered the ride height slightly and fitted Volkmesh aluminium. He has also changed the steering wheel to an external one and enjoys customizing it. If the rear seats are folded down, the luggage space is quite spacious, so it can hold a lot of luggage. The owner enjoys the old car life with this rare car by using it to its full potential, rather than not driving it because it is a rare car.
translated by DeepL
