Kizashi Club

Late last year, I visited the Toyota Automotive Museum in Nagoya, Japan. The museum was unique because it featured vintage Japanese cars and JDM-only models. Of the many cars in the museum, there were a few Suzukis so I thought to share those photos here.

1967 Suzuki Fronte 360. This is the predecessor to the Suzuki Alto.
1964 Suzuki Carry Van. The Carry is still in use today as a kei-truck/microvan.
1995 Suzuki Cappuccino. This is a front midship RWD convertible kei-car. It's smaller than a Mazda Miata MX-5 if you can imagine that.
As I exited the museum, I noticed two Suzukis parked next to each other outside. On the left is the Suzuki Lapin and on the right is the Suzuki Hustler. Then and now, Suzuki is the JDM's micro/kei-car specialist.

what I wouldn't give for any one of the cars you posted. Guess I'll sit here and drool...

Cool pics! I didn't pay much attention to the Suzukis when I went there a few years ago, but I did buy a Suzuki Swift diecast from the gift shop at the end

sx4rocious wrote:what I wouldn't give for any one of the cars you posted. Guess I'll sit here and drool...

I guess I'll have to post more pics from my visit there. I'll create another thread given this one is for Suzukis. I saw a Toyota 2000GT and a Lexus LFA there among other awesome cars. The Commemorative Museum had a body-less LFA among other cool things. These were great museums and worth the day trip to Nagoya.

bootymac wrote:Cool pics! I didn't pay much attention to the Suzukis when I went there a few years ago, but I did buy a Suzuki Swift diecast from the gift shop at the end

I ended up buying a Toyota 2000GT towel at the gift store. I kind of wanted the Toyota wrench spoon and fork set but planned to get a titanium spork for camping anyway so I settled for the cheaper towel.

I have actually become a high fan of Japanese vintage cars. I love how they went smaller and more practical in a time when America went bigger and more power. I enjoy a good V8 muscle car as much as anyone, but quirky, itty-bitty econobox rarity is just plain cool. Take a Suzuki Altowerks RSR to a car show and park next to a 1964 Chevy Impala and see which gets the most looks. (you wuld have to pick from about 15 different 64 Impalas to park next to in the first place. I would be willing to bet there would be a debate about what class to even enter a RSR in since there just aren't any...)

That Hustler looks like a neat little local driver. Found this site
http://www.batfa.com/newcar-suzukihustler.htm
Shows a 4WD version @$16,220 delivered to the US.
Wonder what additional costs would be required to be registered to be driven on the roads here. Probably extra safety & emission addons and some type of certification?

redmed wrote:That Hustler looks like a neat little local driver. Found this site
http://www.batfa.com/newcar-suzukihustler.htm
Shows a 4WD version @$16,220 delivered to the US.
Wonder what additional costs would be required to be registered to be driven on the roads here. Probably extra safety & emission addons and some type of certification?

These would be illegal in the US, at least on public roads. The JDM's crash specifications are not up to US standards. I believe this is because of the considerable difference in speeds people tend to drive between the two countries. I am also not sure if these cars meet EPA standards for emissions. While they are very efficient, the EPA measures criteria that other governments don't. It's the main reason why diesels are so restricted in the US compared to Europe.
However, I've seen kei-vehicles run around on private roads/land in the US. My college campus had a few kei-trucks that the landscapers/maintenance crew used and there's one sitting around a farmhouse near where I live.

KuroNekko wrote: However, I've seen kei-vehicles run around on private roads/land in the US. My college campus had a few kei-trucks that the landscapers/maintenance crew used and there's one sitting around a farmhouse near where I live.

This summer I have seen a small pickup (Suzuki I think) buzz past our house at least once a week. We live on a dirt road 10+ miles from town so I doubt that pickup is legal.

redmed wrote:

KuroNekko wrote: However, I've seen kei-vehicles run around on private roads/land in the US. My college campus had a few kei-trucks that the landscapers/maintenance crew used and there's one sitting around a farmhouse near where I live.

This summer I have seen a small pickup (Suzuki I think) buzz past our house at least once a week. We live on a dirt road 10+ miles from town so I doubt that pickup is legal.

Does it look something like this?

KuroNekko wrote:

redmed wrote:

KuroNekko wrote: However, I've seen kei-vehicles run around on private roads/land in the US. My college campus had a few kei-trucks that the landscapers/maintenance crew used and there's one sitting around a farmhouse near where I live.

This summer I have seen a small pickup (Suzuki I think) buzz past our house at least once a week. We live on a dirt road 10+ miles from town so I doubt that pickup is legal.

Does it look something like this?

There's one of those running around out here where I live. I believe it is used and owned by an apple growing operation and market. It's tagged I know that.