Pickups might be all the rage and the top-selling type of vehicle over in the US, but they aren’t remotely popular in Japan. They’re more of a novelty than anything, and those that buy them only really do so to stand out. What has always made far more sense in Japan are kei (light) vehicles. Kei vans and trucks helped to motorize Japan after the Second World War, and are perfectly sized to not only fit down the tiny streets of rural towns, but squeeze between rice paddies.
To this day, they are one of the most popular commercial vehicles to own in Japan, and their utility is matched only by their cheap running costs. With such a history behind kei vehicles, it’s always interesting to come across rare variants from a bygone era.
To me, this 1973 Mazda Porter represents a side of Japan’s custom car culture that is relevant, but at the same time has a hint of fun about it. By any standard this thing is tiny, yet it’s been given a hell of a lot of attention in the way of a full ground-up rebuild, and is well on its way to becoming something very special.
What made this generation of the Porter even more distinctive was its engine: a tiny little 360cc 2-stroke v-twin. While there is only so much you can do to boost power on something like this, the owner had a set of exhausts fabricated for each of the two cylinders, and I’m sure those expansion chambers will do magical things for the sound!
And check out the cover for the air filter. It all reminded me of another 2-stroke kei truck creation I came across three years ago at the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show. Click here and scroll down to see the Daihatsu Hijet Revolver 2 built by Ushio Automobile in Osaka.
Plenty of fab work has gone into making the Porter sit the way it does and I quite like the period correct (1962-1975) Mazda emblem on the imitation knock-offs attached to the tiny steelies.
Stance? It’s definitely nailed it!
The hot rod inspiration in the interior is strong, and compared to the exterior it looks like most of the work has already been done in here, including tan upholstery for the seats and door panels.
From this angle you can see how the chassis rails have been c-notched to allow the Porter’s tiny solid rear axle to sit further up and position the body low once the air shocks are relieved of their pressure. It’s just impossible to not like a project like this one!
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
I love it! The air cleaner cover is creative.
i want to hear this
Now that is fcken sweet!
i love it!
i hope no was paid for that welding
Video or this article didn't happen
sooo cool!!!!
Love the details and that that rear end is like model-car small
@John Knight great engrish bro
@griffrench How about those welds?
For a sec. I thought it was a Trabant.
@griffrench almost as bad as the welds
Welds, the whole engine has a steam punk look to it.
That's interesting, diggin it.
Loving the 2-stroke engine and knock off wheels, but someone will comment about putting a 13b in there. They would be wrong to do that. This truck is not about pure speed...
@John Knight Whilst they may not be the prettiest welds ever, have a crack at welding stainless sheet that thin!!!
I would guess that these are true home fab jobbies.
Awesome ride. Makes a refreshing change to the over done body kit/stance scene.
This is flipping brilliant
A friend once let me drive his slammed Wartburg, what an experience that was!!
Thanks for bringing this article to us Dino, top choice
i feel confident in saying that truck is cute and I'd cruse it...slowly.
This is great. I love it. I'd love to hear it, too
saaaweeeeet
SimonSheldrick Pretty sure that is titanium... which is a bitch to weld.
960 A Trabi truck would be brilliant!
Lovely.
Bro5 LOL Awesome
IRUCONJI 960 Hard to work on that bodywork tho...
Made of cotton waste products and communist sweat, it doesn't "do" patina either... it just stands the test of time. Somehow...
Waooo love the steampunk vibe the engine has
I would honestly love to live somewhere where pickups are unpopular.
Really needs a sound clip
2strokesandimthere every article needs a short clip of the car running, or at least the feature cars
2strokesandimthere try to search on youtube "2 stroke truck japan" after 20 sec of music you can hear the sound !!
MarcoTrevisani 2strokesandimthere Thank you! Too bad he copy & pasted all of Dino's writing in the description... He might want to see that.
good car for the race and I'm sure very fast http://yakuza4d.com/
the car was very good
really really like to see the car that shiny new car fits like made for walking trailsthe car was very good http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/peraturan.html and very fast http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/jadwal.html mix of colors http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/promo.html from which to http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://utamadomino.com/app/img/panduan.html make want pobud http://utamadomino.com/ see hatnya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/peraturan.html kecepatanya http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/jadwal.html was very nice ,http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/promo.html suitable for a "http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://dokterpoker.org/app/img/panduan.html sharp bend http://dokterpoker.org or not sharp I guess motorists http://633cash.com/Games like this is http://633cash.com/Pengaturan" very skilled in the speed I hope I can membilinya someday will whether http://633cash.com/Daftar http://633cash.com/Promo there are http://633cash.com/Berita new cars http://633cash.com/Livescore are better I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/peraturan.html 'll wait for it , with a stylish car classic http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/jadwal.html style I http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/promo.html also like http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://raksasapoker.com/app/img/panduan.html to see would be http://raksasapoker.com/ whether there is a http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan" rel="dofollow" target="_blank">http://yakuza4d.com/peraturan car that is http://yakuza4d.com as fast and forius http://yakuza4d.com/home like in the "http://yakuza4d.com/daftar movie , the car very http://yakuza4d.com/cara_main good car http://yakuza4d.com/hasil designed a way apparently hopefully http://yakuza4d.com/buku_mimpi there will be new cars more good and the price is quite pantastis then chances are I can membilinya the same as you have at this time
"While there is only so much you can do to boost power on something like this"
I found this hilarious as a 2-stroke engine builder. You can increase the size of the transfer ports, raise the transfer port height in the barrel to increase fuel delivery, widen and raise the exhaust port, machine the head for higher volume and more compression, and then add much larger carburetors, and even reed valve induction if you like. This in addition to the performance improvements that expansion chambers make can often double horsepower output, if the crank, clutch and gearbox can handle it.