Hi all 👋🏻
Yes I'm back 🤣👍
Well those that know me know I have a massive love of Japanese cars, including Kei Cars! But up until now I've not bitten the bullet with a tiny little box! BUT after a mate tagged me in an advert for a funky little van as a joke (I’m 6’2”), last week I did a buy!! 😁
A JDM 🇯🇵 1998 Subaru Domingo 1200!
- 61bhp
- 3 Cylinder
- Rear engine
- RWD
- 7 seats
- VW front conversion
- factory A/C
I have always fancied a Kei car but although this isn’t officially a Kei (only the engine and bumpers are bigger and has more seats than the actual Kei Sambar model), it gives the same fun size but with a little more “performance” for daily driving.
It’s currently been sitting for 5 years, the engine is out and the gearbox is broken., but It comes with 2 engines and some spares…… which is nice! 👍
I didn’t have a plan when I put a deposit on it apart from trying to get it running again and save it, but it ticks a lot of money saving and practically boxes compared to my current Lexus v8 sooooooo it may end up as my new daily! 😁
I’m genuinely excited to have a play with this and hopefully all goes to plan and it gets back on the road! 🤞
First things first I gave it a wash and an inspection to see what I got.
Turns out it looks totally solid and 90% is where it should be. Even the paint looks ok bar a few bits which are easily sorted!
It’s currently a CVT which I’ve read aren’t great! Ideally I’d love to convert to manual so if anyone has any advice in doing that that would be very appreciated 😁👍
Failing that (parts are hard to find in the UK but have a small chance from Europe!), another option is to stick a completely different engine and box in it which may actually work out “easier” and “cheaper” than finding the correct parts.
I really want this to be a pretty economical and easily built van that I can use daily, and then I can get on with my other projects and save money from my previous V8 but still have something quirky and fun.
If anyone has any ideas of what could “easily” fit under the boot floor and be cheap to purchase along with being reliable and economical, please feel free to comment 😁👍
Let’s see how it goes!! Hilarious probably! 🤣👍
How we found it
2 spare engines and lots of broken gearbox parts 🤣
Time to get it home
The neighbours know me well!! 🤣🤣🤣
Hanging out with the big boys
First proper inspection
Found the OE badge still on the front panel under the VW fibreglass! 👍
And the manufacturer of the kit in Japan 🎌
Pretty clean under here 👍
The horizontal radiator
The space I need to fill with something! 🤔
First deep clean!
And stickers gone!
Much better 👌
Some quirky features 😁
Yes the windscreen washer filler is………
……….. behind the pedals on the floor!! 🤣
Factory A/C
Yes I'm back 🤣👍
Well those that know me know I have a massive love of Japanese cars, including Kei Cars! But up until now I've not bitten the bullet with a tiny little box! BUT after a mate tagged me in an advert for a funky little van as a joke (I’m 6’2”), last week I did a buy!! 😁
A JDM 🇯🇵 1998 Subaru Domingo 1200!
- 61bhp
- 3 Cylinder
- Rear engine
- RWD
- 7 seats
- VW front conversion
- factory A/C
I have always fancied a Kei car but although this isn’t officially a Kei (only the engine and bumpers are bigger and has more seats than the actual Kei Sambar model), it gives the same fun size but with a little more “performance” for daily driving.
It’s currently been sitting for 5 years, the engine is out and the gearbox is broken., but It comes with 2 engines and some spares…… which is nice! 👍
I didn’t have a plan when I put a deposit on it apart from trying to get it running again and save it, but it ticks a lot of money saving and practically boxes compared to my current Lexus v8 sooooooo it may end up as my new daily! 😁
I’m genuinely excited to have a play with this and hopefully all goes to plan and it gets back on the road! 🤞
First things first I gave it a wash and an inspection to see what I got.
Turns out it looks totally solid and 90% is where it should be. Even the paint looks ok bar a few bits which are easily sorted!
It’s currently a CVT which I’ve read aren’t great! Ideally I’d love to convert to manual so if anyone has any advice in doing that that would be very appreciated 😁👍
Failing that (parts are hard to find in the UK but have a small chance from Europe!), another option is to stick a completely different engine and box in it which may actually work out “easier” and “cheaper” than finding the correct parts.
I really want this to be a pretty economical and easily built van that I can use daily, and then I can get on with my other projects and save money from my previous V8 but still have something quirky and fun.
If anyone has any ideas of what could “easily” fit under the boot floor and be cheap to purchase along with being reliable and economical, please feel free to comment 😁👍
Let’s see how it goes!! Hilarious probably! 🤣👍
How we found it
2 spare engines and lots of broken gearbox parts 🤣
Time to get it home
The neighbours know me well!! 🤣🤣🤣
Hanging out with the big boys
First proper inspection
Found the OE badge still on the front panel under the VW fibreglass! 👍
And the manufacturer of the kit in Japan 🎌
Pretty clean under here 👍
The horizontal radiator
The space I need to fill with something! 🤔
First deep clean!
And stickers gone!
Much better 👌
Some quirky features 😁
Yes the windscreen washer filler is………
……….. behind the pedals on the floor!! 🤣
Factory A/C
