If you read car blogs, you may have come across mentions of the Mitsubishi Delica or reports about Maine trying to outlaw them. The vehicle may not be familiar to you — even if you’re knowledgable about vintage cars — as it was only very briefly sold in America. Here’s what you need to know about it.
What is the Mitsubishi Delica?
Mitsubishi has used the Delica nameplate for a wide range of trucks and vans. But the Delica that people like to collect is a boxy, four-wheel-drive diesel van. It’s right-hand drive and imported to America as a grey market vehicle. It has become more popular in America as the RAD era third generation (1986-94) and fourth generation (1994 to 1997) became legal to import after 25 years. The 1990s models seat up to eight passengers and can do so quite flexibly with its swiveling seats when the vehicle is not in motion.
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Japanese ClassicsHow do you pronounce Mitsubishi Delica?
The Mitsubishi Delica is pronounced DEH-luh-kah, not Duh-LEE-kah.
Why do people think the Mitsubishi Delica is cool?
Like many Japanese-built cars from the 80s and 90s, the Delica has an impressive reputation for toughness and durability. And unlike most minivans, the Delica was a legitimate off-roader with a 4×4 transfer case, five inches of ground clearance, good approach and departure angles and a low center of gravity.
The Delica can be updated to badass level with a suspension lift, bigger tires, locking differentials and other features to make it even more capable. You get a super-flexible #vanlife cabin with swiveling seats. And it looks kind of like a quirky Japanese Kei car — albeit much bigger.
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