The heartwarming look attracts car lovers
Although the number of variations in body shapes for kei cars, a standard unique to Japan, has decreased due to revisions to collision safety and other legal standards, there were many unique models a long time ago. Among them, the Daihatsu “Mira Walk-Through Van” is still popular among enthusiasts for its special looks. Koichi Nishihara, a resident of Osaka Prefecture, is one of those who were fascinated by such a strangely shaped vehicle.
The custom concept is an American milkman
As the name suggests, the Daihatsu “Mira Walk-Through Van” was introduced as a vehicle for pickup and delivery operations with a structure that allows work to be performed while standing in the cargo area. The history of the walk-through van genre is long, with records showing that it was created in Europe around 1947 as a working vehicle. The history of the “walk-through van” based on the Daihatsu Mira debuted in 1980 as an addition to the first-generation L55V Mira. It was then made by evolving each functional part until the third-generation L200 Mira in 1994. While the front part of the van is an ordinary Mira, it is an awkward light 1BOX van with a boxy body that rises at a near-perpendicular angle from the driver’s seat. It is said that many fans are captivated by this special body shape.
This time, we would like to introduce a van from Osaka Prefecture.
Mr. Koichi Nishihara, a resident of Osaka Prefecture, was one of those who were fascinated by such a curiously shaped Mira walk-through van, and enjoyed tinkering with it in a rather maniacal manner. The base model is a 1991 3rd generation L200 Mira walk-through van, and he has owned it for 5 years.
He says, “I customized it from a fully stock condition to what it looks like now.
Because of the maniacal nature of the car, the details of the customization Nishihara performed on the car are not clear at a glance. We asked him to explain the specifications, which are probably standard among enthusiasts.
First, the custom concept was based on the image of an “American milkman. Graphics were added to the cargo box and white letter tires were installed to emphasize the American milkman look. The front is a face transplant using parts from a 4th generation L500 “Mira Classic,” and the engine and suspension are transplanted from an L600 Mira in the Sankoichi style. As a result, the car, originally an NA with a 3-speed AT, has evolved to a DOHC turbo 4-speed AT and is said to run well.
He enjoys a car life surrounded by his favorite things
Although most of the diversions are basically for the Mira, only the front suspension is fitted with a ride height kit for the Suzuki “Wagon R”. The kit can be bolted on without any modifications.
The interior has American touches throughout. On the floor, speakers are set into a travel bag, and American retro-style signs and posters are attached to the panels of the elongated tall body. A clock and thermometer are set on the panel above the driver’s seat to bring out a thoroughly American atmosphere. The cargo area is made to feel like your own room, so that you can enjoy your car life surrounded by your favorite things. He does not always keep the same style, but rather changes things frequently to enjoy the change.
Mr. Nishihara’s Mira Walkthrough Van is usually used as a commuter’s footwear. Because of its toy-like appearance and style, it attracts the attention of children attending kindergarten more than adults, and every morning the children smile and wave at him. The Mira walk-through van, which does not exist in the modern age, had the magical power to make car lovers smile with its heartwarming looks.
translated by DeepL