Tokyo Auto Gallery '06: "Vamos" a los 70s
The big deal in Japan the last several days has been the 2006 Tokyo Auto Gallery. The tuner and custom car show was the venue for the debut of the Toyota Harrier Zagato and is also where the Pagani Zonda Rabbit is on display.
The stream of interesting cars doesn't end there, either, as we've come across a Honda Vamos kei-class van that 's designed to hurtle you back to the 70s. Finished in sky blue and sporting a retro fascia that looks really cool, the tiny econobox instantly looks like it would be right at home on the streets of yesteryear. The cream-colored steel wheels are simply the icing on the cake. The inside gets a two-tone look that's more modern hot rod than 70s retro, but we'll let that slide.
According to Response.jp, the conversion kit can be had for ¥312,900 (around $2,700 USD). We wish we could tell you who manufactures it (if it's Honda, it isn't on the accessories page for the Vamos yet), but it's not clear from the translated Response article. No matter. Not knowing the answers doesn't diminish the grooviness of this uniquely Japanese custom. If only it had an 8-Track player...
(Additional photos --including a shot of a stock Vamos for comparison -- after the jump)
[Source: Response.jp (Translated)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
james f. 2:26PM (8/02/2006)
Stock, this van is sweet! But that front end truly "makes" the van. Bugeyes RULE! Honda would never bring it but that doesn't mean I can't say please. The interior is a bit to swishy modern hello-kittyish but thats forgivable. ugh I wish you guys never posted this. I feel the same as when i saw the bB back in 98 or 9 and said to myself: "they'll never bring it here" oh wait....I've got a zenki bB out in the garage!
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MKBruin 2:42PM (8/02/2006)
That interior makes the plastic in DCX vehicles look incredibly upscale. wow.
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Todd 2:56PM (8/02/2006)
and people complain that Detroit makes ugly vehicles... I think Honda just blew Ford, GM and DCX out of the water with the ugliness factor of this van.
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Rob 2:58PM (8/02/2006)
no...detroit still makes uglier cars.
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Ren 3:00PM (8/02/2006)
I love it. Just to add more detail, the front end is from a 1972 Honda Life Step Van.
http://world.honda.com/SEEVERT/automobiles/images/list/06.jpg
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Todd 3:02PM (8/02/2006)
you probably think the Scion XB is the best looking car on the road.
I'll stick with the Mustang.
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Ken 3:13PM (8/02/2006)
Again, to most on this board the Japanese can do NO wrong! That Honda looks like a late 60's Ford Econoline Van! If that were Ford or GM the same people making positive claims about these vehicles from their computer in their parents basement would be ripping them to pieces.
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James 3:15PM (8/02/2006)
But that's the thing with Japanese automakers... they know what sells here and what does. (That's something Ford and GM need to work on.)
This will never come stateside, but I think this is wonderful. The stock Vamos was never my favorite of Japanese super-minivans, but this retro kit is fantastic! Anyone up for a move to Tokyo?
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Bill 3:20PM (8/02/2006)
I think it's groovy. It just needs a fake fur headliner and a cool airbrush painting on the side.
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One Hung Lo 3:39PM (8/02/2006)
If the Japanese REALLY cared about our environment they would produce a rice burner and safe the planet.
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Rob 4:21PM (8/02/2006)
Todd,
Stick with the Mustang. I'll stick with my TL.
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Jeff Banks 4:26PM (8/02/2006)
"hat Honda looks like a late 60's Ford Econoline Van!"
Uh...that's the point. It's supposed to! Its a TINY retro van! I love the baby-blue interior. Probably gets 30mpg too.
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Lucas 4:55PM (8/02/2006)
"Again, to most on this board the Japanese can do NO wrong! That Honda looks like a late 60's Ford Econoline Van! If that were Ford or GM..."
THAT IS FORD AND GM! The new Ford Mustang looks just like an early 70s Mustang. Ditto the Charger. Ditto the PT Cruiser. Ditto the SSR. Ditto the HHR. Ditto the Camaro. So what was your point again? Haven't you realized that retro is selling big? Oh, wait, you knew that. Everybody knew that. So the imports jump on the bandwagon and all the sudden it's an unforgivable abomination for a new car to look like an old one? Now tell me who's the one being biased?
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Howard Kerr 5:06PM (8/02/2006)
IF, someone REALLY wanted to "ape" the look of a '70s Detroit van, they came close...but no cigar. Vans in the '70s didn't have body colored rear-view mirrors, didn't have body colored grille panels (the panel above the grille opening should be white/cream or dull grey. and if they are trying to imitate a "hippie-van" interior....this "hello kitty" version fails miserably.
I actually prefer this "custom" version to the rather bland "stock" Vamos, but I would REALLY need a van to buy this...if it was available.
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fizzandpop 5:37PM (8/02/2006)
I agree with 14, there isn't enough chrome. I'd add brightwork around the windows too. And the interior needs to be tan, my man, tan. And I love those cream steel wheels, they look good on virtually any car that has curves.
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borgie 6:07PM (8/02/2006)
Doesn't take long for the racist crap to fly. People, this van is being bought by small businesses as commercial vehicle, okay?? The tuner took an ugly van being sold to carry boxes of fresh fish and made it gave it a retro look, that's it. You prefer your Mustang over this one-off weird artsy project van in PASTEL BLUE? Do you even have a brain? Do you guys hate Japan so much that you lose all sense of reality? Are you all 13 years old????
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Matt 6:49PM (8/02/2006)
Here is another even more extreme retro van:
http://www.carandmodel.com/gallery_preview/2006_tokyo_auto_salon_20060113/aaj?full=1
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james f. 7:20PM (8/02/2006)
Wow the collective ignorance in this comment section is pretty high. Aparently seeing a photo an skiming the blog comment qualifies you as being informed about the post at hand. Try reading it and then cobble togther your response.
I would like to say that a retro small body econoline would be cool and the gang with me. Far cooler than the oh-soo chintzy new body mid life crisis mustang. OOOO the cluster lights change color! Stylish!
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laserwizard 8:28PM (8/02/2006)
The only Honduhs I like are their land mowers - until now. I'd buy one of those small vans in a heartbeat! That is the right size - practical, efficient with all regards, and if it could meet safety standards with airbags all around, this would be so neat to own. I don't care if it looks like a rolling toaster, it is exactly the car/truck I need!
Bring that toaster here, Honduh. Stop making ugly Civics and bring something here practical!
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AladdinSane 12:45AM (8/03/2006)
I would but this Vamos, WITH the RETRO kit, in a New York minute if it became available here, stateside. . .
Later for all who trash it with negative comments.
Allow those who flow with the beat of a different drummer to drive whatever he/she likes, and don't put anyone down for having a different point of view in whatever we prefer to drive.
If you don't have anything good to say then say nothing!
Peace!
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