eBay Find of the Day: "I don't know what it is and I don't care"
This is one cranky eBayer! The item description reads like a manifesto about the seller's annoyances with eBay's communication tools for prospective buyers and sellers. The multicolor text is a particularly nice touch, too; reminds us of "Web 0.5," back in the '90s. We do like how the unvarnished truth makes its way through, though. The message is simple, and the call to action is even better: "Buy it anyway, it does not run but the parts are all there." Excellent. Can't argue with success, though -- the feedback is largely positive.
As for what it is -- we haven't the foggiest. We almost detect a bit of '70s VW Type 2 in the corner lamps, but the rest of what's there doesn't square with that. Even if they are Type 2 lamps, that's not surprising considering the ubiquity of those vehicles and their parts back then. It looks more like some sort of industrial flatbed, for use on the grounds of a large facility. Check out the rims, they're what, 13-inches at best, and probably more like 10s? We're sure one of you sharp-eyed readers will be able to decipher that insignia that looks like a flying A and tell us just what we have here.
Thanks for the tip, GD!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Steve 7:00PM (6/18/2007)
Probably an airport vehicle.
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Brian Dreggors 7:23PM (6/18/2007)
Likely a non-street-legal Chinese minitruck.
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Brian Dreggors 7:24PM (6/18/2007)
P.S. Let's all ask him stupid questions!
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Cervus 7:47PM (6/18/2007)
It's some kind of small utility vehicle meant to be used on private property--golf courses, airports, etc.. Probably not street legal.
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Paul Y 7:48PM (6/18/2007)
I'm going to go with the Asian minitruck idea.
Fun fact: my college had a fleet of 4wd Daihatsu Hijet pickups clearly marked "FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY" for maintenance to drive around the campus. They were the coolest things ever, because they were about as wide as a sidewalk, and generally unbelievably tiny.
In other news, Google found me this:
http://www.best-used-tractors.com/mini_truck.html
You can order a container of used minitrucks. AWESOME.
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Jean 11:50PM (6/18/2007)
looks like it was a VW Vanagon at some point in its life to me.
thesawzall 11:01AM (6/19/2007)
I remember seeing a video somewhere (pre-youtube) where they slammed the brakes on one of these sort of mini cab forward pickups. Thanks to the great weight distribution and the shape of the nose it did a nice 3/4 somersault only to be stopped by the tailgate hitting the pavement!
Greg 8:04PM (6/18/2007)
The 'T-Bird' in the background is more interesting.
What is parked on the other side of that T-Bird, is it a Ford Fairlane or a Mopar?... I can't tell.
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Greg 8:04PM (6/18/2007)
The 'T-Bird' in the background is more interesting.
What is parked on the other side of that T-Bird, is it a Ford Fairlane or a Mopar?... I can't tell.
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Jim 8:04PM (6/18/2007)
These trucks are not street legal in the US, but are legal and common in other parts of the world. Lots of Japanese manufacturers have made them, I recall seeing Suzuki and Honda ones while living in England and Germany, where they are street legal. At least before you chop the roof of the cab off! They usually have a 1.0 to 1.3 liter engine and cruise at 40-50 mph. Wouldn't it be fun here!
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Glen 8:16PM (6/18/2007)
It's definitely a kei-class Japanese pickup of some sort...but why lust after something that's only partly there? The poor thing's had the windshield, roof, back-lite and doors removed. It's probably a Daihatsu, Cony or something similar. Check out this site - you can buy a whole vehicle...they look like fun to me.
http://www.minitrucksoftexas.com/
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JC3 8:16PM (6/18/2007)
It's a more fuel efficient SUV that conforms to the tougher MPG government mandate
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Snix 8:51PM (6/18/2007)
It's something that you'll see here when gas gets to $6.75 a gallon.
Check this out:
http://www.usedminitrucks.com/
I want a street legal one. 60 MPG!!!
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musicmike702 8:36PM (6/18/2007)
Well, if you are the winning bidder, and have to go to Mojave CA to pick it up, you can stop in and visit with Gene Winfield, one of the old school customizers. http://www.genewinfield.com/winfield.htm
I haven't been there, but have heard he loves to visit with people who remember his work. He's still active, according to Dennis Gage on My Classic Car
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fizzandpop 9:07PM (6/18/2007)
This mini-truck and the others you are lusting after are bloated gas guzzlers. I want something with three wheels and a two-stoke. The "fashionable" fourth wheel and unnecessary cylinders just add to the complexity. Give me something that you steer with handlebars and can carry 500lbs of hay/watermelons/grandparents.
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randyterpstra 9:33PM (6/18/2007)
It's old and LHD, meaning it could be one of the Taiwanese mini trucks used by the US DoD???
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C'est Raoul 8:58AM (6/19/2007)
Looks like a VW Vanagon, with the front grill, but that's all. Has to be a cheap asian utility truck.
Hino or something similar.
Left hand drive too..
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Chris 3:09AM (6/19/2007)
I have seen something similier to it at Macdill Afb, I believe the engine is under the seat.
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mehugtree 6:59AM (6/19/2007)
yeah, totally an asian mini-truck.
Actually saw one on the side of the road for sale in the middle of nowhere Georgia this past weekend and it renewed my lust for one. Just got to figure out what the hell I could use it for!
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Ingue86 8:57AM (6/21/2007)
It's definately a truck from somewhere in asia. I'm in Korea right now, and I see these trucks everyday. This is the normal pickup truck for these parts. In korea, hyundai is the biggest manufacturer of these trucks, followed by daewoo. I can take a pic if anyone would like.
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