Vintage/JDM Suzuki Vehicles at the Toyota Automobile Museum

If it has an S on the front you can talk about it here.
User avatar
KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

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.
859.JPG
859.JPG (163.62 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
858.JPG
858.JPG (165.68 KiB) Viewed 8872 times

1964 Suzuki Carry Van. The Carry is still in use today as a kei-truck/microvan.
956.JPG
956.JPG (127.42 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
957.JPG
957.JPG (143.33 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
972.JPG
972.JPG (152.68 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
961.JPG
961.JPG (142.16 KiB) Viewed 8872 times

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.
917.JPG
917.JPG (126.6 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
918.JPG
918.JPG (142.55 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
915.JPG
915.JPG (170.36 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
914.JPG
914.JPG (118.48 KiB) Viewed 8872 times

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.
982.JPG
982.JPG (263.22 KiB) Viewed 8872 times
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
sx4rocious
Posts: 485
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:31 pm

what I wouldn't give for any one of the cars you posted. Guess I'll sit here and drool...
bootymac
Posts: 1602
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 1:04 am

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 :D
User avatar
KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

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 :D
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.
:ugeek:
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
sx4rocious
Posts: 485
Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:31 pm

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...)
User avatar
redmed
Posts: 492
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:56 pm
Location: Michigan

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?
64 Galaxie 68 Olds 442 65 Impala 70 VW Bug
74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
17 Sienna
User avatar
KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

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.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
User avatar
redmed
Posts: 492
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:56 pm
Location: Michigan

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.
64 Galaxie 68 Olds 442 65 Impala 70 VW Bug
74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
17 Sienna
User avatar
KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

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?

Image
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
User avatar
Ronzuki
Posts: 2382
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

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?

Image
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.
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
Post Reply