1980s mitsubishi minicab super deluxe kei truck at kyoto temple

1980s Mitsubishi Minicab Rusts at Buddhist TempleMurilee Martin

One of the disappointing things about visiting Japan, from the point of view of an automotive enthusiast, is that you won’t see many kei trucks older than about 10-15 years of age. That made this 40-or-so-year-old Mitsubishi Minicab at the Ryozen Kannon Temple in Kyoto especially interesting.

ryozen kannon temple buddha photographed with 1916 kodak premo no 00 film cameraryozen kannon temple buddha photographed with 1916 kodak premo no 00 film camera

Murilee Martin

This Buddhist temple was established in 1955 as a memorial to all those who lost their lives in the Pacific Theater during World War II. I photographed the giant Buddha statue with a 1916 Kodak Premo Cartidge No. 00 camera, as one does.

1980s mitsubishi minicab super deluxe kei truck at kyoto temple1980s mitsubishi minicab super deluxe kei truck at kyoto temple

Murilee Martin

This sacred place has plenty of landscaping and beautiful gardens, which means maintenance trucks are needed. This is a fourth-generation Mitsubishi Minicab Truck, built at some point between 1984 and 1991. Mitsubishi still sells Minicab trucks today, but they’ve been rebadged Suzuki Carrys since 2014.

The Japanese-market TV commercials for this generation of Minicab are well worth watching.

heisei year 16 shaken sticker on mitsubishi minicab kei truckheisei year 16 shaken sticker on mitsubishi minicab kei truck

Murilee Martin

It’s obvious this truck hasn’t moved under its own power for many years. The shaken registration sticker shows a date of the 16th year of Emperor Akihito’s reign, which is 2004 according to the Gregorian calendar we use in the West.

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Mitsubishi still sells the Minicab Truck, although it has been a rebadged Suzuki Every since 2014.

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

This Minicab worked hard maintaining the grounds at the Ryozen Kannon Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

The Mitsubishi Motors Corporation badge has acquired some moss.

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

The 霊山観音 characters painted on the tailgate show that it’s owned by the temple.

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

These wipers haven’t budged for many years.

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee MartinPhoto credit: Murilee Martin

Photo credit: Murilee Martin



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