Half-Pint Haulers: Micro Trucks

"Jonee" (Jonee) 06/04/2015 at 16:05 • Filed to: Microcars, micro trucks, kei cars, really small things

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! over on Jalopnik got me thinking about all the amazing micro-trucks of the post-WWII era. Up top is the Isocarro made in Italy (and under license in Spain) by Iso, the original builders of the Isetta. It used the same 236cc Iso motor that powered the little microcar and sat upon a relatively heavy-duty tubular frame giving it a cargo capacity of 500kg. The box in back measured 79” X 55” and it was a pretty practical little thing that could go from the country to the city.

There were even a few built with this cool van-like box.

BMW never made their own Isetta truck, but in England where Isettas were license-built, they did make a few of these Isetta pickups for carrying what must have been very small things around RAF bases.

Goggomobil also made a pickup based on their van. It’s totally awesome and one of the funnest days of my life was spent sitting in the bed of one while being driven around the German countryside by Uwe Stauffenberg, the world’s foremost Goggo expert.

Here’s Uwe and someone who is unfortunately not me zipping down Route 66 in it a few years ago when a group of nutty German microcar enthusiasts brought their cars over to terrorize America.

In Spain they made their own Goggomobil pickups, but they did it by hacking off the back of the little sedans instead of the vans. They were also built under license, but I guess they didn’t splurge for the rights to the commercial Goggos, so they just did this.

There was a van version of it which is actually much more common and goofy-looking.

Another incredible Spanish teeny truck was the Biscuter Furgoneta.

Biscuters were Spain’s microcar of choice and were originally designed and built by Voisin. Before long they started attaching these wooden van bodies to make a delivery vehicle that looks like it was cobbled together by the Beverly Hillbillies.

In France you had things like the New Map Solyto. New Map was a longtime motorcycle and scooter maker and was the first company to release a microcar after the war, the Baby Rolux.

Yes, that’s a real car. They sold well mostly because they were the only thing available, but sales tailed off once you could buy a 2CV or Renault 4CV.

The Solyto, though, was much more successful staying in production until the 70’s believe it or not.

It was funny-looking for sure and only had a 125cc motor powering the front wheel, but it was incredibly versatile and durable and perfect for delivering flowers and produce as well as kidnapping toddlers. Fun fact: there was no starter motor, it was pull-start like a lawnmower.

Another Gallic offering was this Mochet Camionette. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! was originally famous for recumbent bicycles and cars that had no engines.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Japan, of course, has probably has the richest history of minute trucks. In addition to the Guppy, Cony made the 360 truck.

And the Cony Wide which even made its way to the U.S. in small numbers.

Another tiny truck which tested American waters was the Daihatsu Midget, the granddaddy of Japanese kei trucks.

It was sold here as the Trimobile and I actually owned one once that was originally used to zip around the Lockheed plant here in Southern California. I’ve also seen them in Civil Defense livery.

The Midget/Trimobile was one of many 3-wheeled kei pickups. Mazda’s very first vehicle was the K360.

The first kei cars all had 356cc engines and Mazda’s was an incredible little v-twin.

My favorite tri-wheeled kei was the Hopestar.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , along with building the first Samurai (the little Jeep, not the warrior), also made maybe the cutest of all the kei trucks, the Unicar.

It might be the most huggable vehicle I’ve ever seen.

Of course Subaru had its Sambar.

New Sambars are still being made making it the longest surviving kei model I think.

That’s just a small sample of the kinds of vehicles people used to move stuff around in the war torn parts of the world more than half a century ago. Each of these Japanese companies had a wide array of available kei trucks and vans. And, of course, there were also a lot of scooter-based haulers like the Vespa Ape and Lambretta whatever they called theirs. But, these I talk about here were built like real trucks, just scaled down and were a vital part of their respective country’s rebuilding effort in the years after the war.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:08

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Distaste: this Goggo’s face *drips* with it.

carcrasher88 > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:08

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Still being made, but it’s become no more than a rebadged Daihatsu Hijet.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:12

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There’s just something about small trucks. I want this one.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:13

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I also want one of these, with AWD, with power coming from a blown 454 mounted in the bed.

carcrasher88 > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:14

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I’m surprised to not see any Honda on here.

The T360 and it’s bigger brother, the T500.

It’s successors, the TN series, including this TN360, and later TNIIIs, TN-Vs, and TN7s.

They were eventually replaced by this, the Acty. Just like Subaru’s Sambar, this one’s still around, but unlike the Subaru, Honda actually builds their own kei trucks.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:17

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A Goliath Dreirad is an interesting case, because while it wasn’t on the scale of contemporary German microcars, mostly, it’s still quite small, and I don’t think the smaller models are any larger than a modern Sambar. The pre-war models were about 11’6” overall, though later bigger ones went up to more like 14’8”.

Jonee > carcrasher88 06/04/2015 at 16:19

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Yes, thanks. I skipped Honda for some reason. Every marque had their own version of the same thing pretty much. I realize I also forgot the great Suzuki Carry.

Jonee > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 06/04/2015 at 16:22

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Yeah, I love those. The big microcar. You’re right, they’re hard to classify, but they were in the spirit of other kleinwagen.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:30

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Given that a Mini delivery is only 9” shorter and a Minor delivery is 9” longer, it’s definitely not a full-size truck, anyway.

505Turbeaux > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:30

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straight to the front page with you! Another great article

carcrasher88 > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:33

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Ah, yes. The Suzuki Carry.

The British used to build their own version in the late 80’s to early 90’s.

The Bedford Rascal, known in some other markets as the GME (General Motors Europe) Rascal, and later the Vauxhall Rascal.

They were built in Luton, Bedfordshire in the IBC Vehicles plant, now known as GM Manufacturing Luton, home of the Opel/Vauxhall Movano.

and 100 more > Jonee 06/04/2015 at 16:54

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“Have fun, boys. I’m not sleeping with either of you two.”

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Jonee 06/05/2015 at 09:30

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Between the positive camber up front and the narrow track out back the handling characteristics of this must have been interesting. Especially since the tires look narrow enough to be used on a motorcycle. Though I suppose it probably has all of 7 hp and a top speed of 30 mph so that should limit the shenanigans to generally nonfatal speeds.

Jonee > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 06/05/2015 at 10:53

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Yeah, exactly. It’s also even smaller than it looks. Here’s one without the cargo box.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/06/2015 at 04:40

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Ah, I see someone else suggested the Honda T360 already. I don’t think the Vamos would actually be called a micro-truck but we all love that one as well of course.

The Suzuki Carry, Subaru Sumo (called Libero in Germany) and Daihatsu HiJet even made it to Europe!

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/07/2015 at 02:46

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The Vamos has a little bed, so I think it counts. We also got HiJets, but they’re not road legal. They’re just for farms and industrial sites and university campuses and such. After the Subaru 360 fiasco, nothing with a displacement that small was allowed. Did you get the Sumo vans, or just the little trucks? Those tiny vans are pretty cool.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/07/2015 at 05:46

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I know, they even come, being a Subaru, with 4WD!!!! I’ve always been tempted to buy one, I need to go to Germany/Austria to get one. Don’t start about these !

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/08/2015 at 01:26

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Oh, yeah. I’ve seen pictures of the 4WD ones. That is pretty awesome. I would love to see one traversing the Alps. That link doesn’t do anything.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/08/2015 at 02:25

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It’s still not even 1000cc of displacement I suppose. Link doesn’t work? Try this then .

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/08/2015 at 02:57

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I love it. Seems like a good deal. I wish it was importable. That one says 1190cc. That’s practically a V8 in my book.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/08/2015 at 05:01

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I’m just afraid it will tip over when the wind get’s it’s hold on it! But this one also looked like a good deal to me. Maybe I’ll just do it. It’s just that it’s really deep into Germany, near Kufstein!

Just these sentences don’t make it that a good deal:

‘Tacho war beim Erwerb zurückgestellt. Motor raucht, die Kopfdichtung ist wohl durch. linke Schiebetüre klemmt.’

And I don’t need to translate this for you being part-Austrian!

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/09/2015 at 01:05

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Sounds like you can drive it home. Would be a fun adventure. And, you’d only use the recht door anyway.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/09/2015 at 02:44

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Well, if your home is any further than 5 miles I strongly advise not to drive it home with that blown headgasket. The door is no problem indeed. God I want one more every day. It’s probably even got an MR-lay-out ;-)

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/10/2015 at 03:01

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How hard can changing that gasket be? It’s probably the size of a paperback book.

Now, that’s the car I expect to be picked up at the airport in. If a Le Car Van is unavailable.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/10/2015 at 03:26

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It’s probably not the size that is it’s problem, it’s it position. You’d probably have to remove the seats and all to get near that engine!

And make up your mind, I thought the 911 was the one I should pick you up with!

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/10/2015 at 03:37

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One little bench. You can use it to nap on when you get sick of wedging your hands through what I’m guessing is a barely big enough access hole.

Oh, yeah. On the way back to the airport, then.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/10/2015 at 08:21

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I think we’re even luckier than that, Subaru heard my wishes: It’s in the back???

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/11/2015 at 03:54

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Wow, that’s awesome. Pretty much like the old 360/Sambar. I like the way the bodywork folds away.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/11/2015 at 05:06

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I doubt you’d still like it if you ever get rear-ended! There’s no space whatsoever between engine and bumper!

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/12/2015 at 13:26

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The engine IS the bumper. That’s a pretty bold safety feature, but Subaru has always been known for their sturdy powerplants. Is that the gas tank under there, too?

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/12/2015 at 16:27

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Gas tank? I would suspect that one to be plastic. Which part do you mean? I love the idea of using that engine as a bumper. No wonder the US didn’t get it with those bumper-laws of yours.

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/12/2015 at 18:30

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I was looking not closely enough at the engine shroud. Very true. It’d take multiple bumpers back there to comply with U.S. specs.

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/12/2015 at 18:43

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Multiple bumpers means MULTIPLE ENGINES!!!! The US-edition is the one to get!

Jonee > Jobjoris 06/12/2015 at 18:45

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No kidding. It might even get to triple-digit horsepower!

Jobjoris > Jonee 06/12/2015 at 18:52

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More downforce as well. Again. ;-)

Naughty0ne > Jonee 07/16/2015 at 18:17

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Reminds me of the GEM cars the Army bought a ton of for zipping around base. Only problem is they cost as much as a car and the Army thoroughly discourages from actually using them.

Gary Yogurt > Jonee 07/16/2015 at 21:21

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I’d register for all your classes and change my major if this was college.

Ash78, voting early and often > Jonee 07/16/2015 at 21:25

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All I can think is that corporations used to have intestinal fortitude.

Today everything is sanitized and focus grouped to death even before it lives.

willmederski > Jonee 07/16/2015 at 21:28

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holy crap i want all of these.

Jonee > Gary Yogurt 07/16/2015 at 21:30

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I’ll see about getting accredited.

TorqueandMindy > Jonee 07/16/2015 at 22:29

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Is the American small enough to play?

If not, how about a reimagination of an American truck?

NoRotorNoLove > Naughty0ne 07/16/2015 at 22:32

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Any more info, such as a name perhaps? Sounds awesome.

Naughty0ne > NoRotorNoLove 07/16/2015 at 22:46

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... GEM ... Google them

NoRotorNoLove > Naughty0ne 07/16/2015 at 23:00

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Just did, now I see it. I thought that Googling GEM would result in pictures of gems. Thanks!

r31ya > carcrasher88 07/16/2015 at 23:23

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Honda T-360

After Honda ASIMO,

Honda T-800

mwoodski > carcrasher88 07/16/2015 at 23:27

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lonestranger > Jobjoris 07/16/2015 at 23:29

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I recognize that grocery bag . I’m starting to wonder if there’s as many 15+ year-old JDM cars in British Columbia as there are in Japan.

Free Market Party Company > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 00:04

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For reasons I can’t even begin to understand, this might be the best post I’ve read on Jalop all year...

hismiths > and 100 more 07/17/2015 at 00:07

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Nice style ripoff of a ‘37 Ford.

revarthurbelling > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 00:09

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I would totally drive that!

schnitzeldoener > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 03:11

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In east germany we (well not me I am too young) had the Multicar. They are still around and made to this day in countless variants.

tapzz > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 04:08

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Somewhere, a Citroën 2CV AZU is missing its’ cargo body

Gigantor, the most awesome robot of Europe > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 04:34

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Over here in Holland, in my hometown Rotterdam, I frequently see one of those Ape thingies drive around...I love em....I wouldnt drive them in Holland, but I’d sure as hell export one to Croatia and drive around the village there...

Marek > schnitzeldoener 07/17/2015 at 06:16

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They are still around.

tapzz > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 06:20

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Just to add to the collection: the Daffodil pick-up.

Equipped with and air-cooled twin delivering ca. 30 rampaging horses through the world’s first productionised CVT.

A slightly later version was also available as a van or “combi”

Fuel_of_Satan > Marek 07/17/2015 at 06:28

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Holy crap, that looks brilliant! You stand up driving it?

I want one. No, I need one. I need that in my life.

Hedy-Lamarr-a-stoat > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 06:37

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The big microcar? As in, the tall dwarf?

Syscrush > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 07:37

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There are not one but 2 Japanese micro trucks in my Toronto neighborhood - one of which has badges advertising “TURBO EFI”. My Chinese father-in-law said that in China they call them “Bread Trucks” because they’re the shape and approximate size of a loaf of bread. :)

When I see them around, I have a profoundly irrational desire to have one. WTF would I do with it? I have no idea - I just like ‘em!

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 08:00

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That’s so damn cute. It looks like it’s wearing a backpack!

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > NoRotorNoLove 07/17/2015 at 08:06

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_El…

Ben Lowrider > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 08:16

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Positive camber all the way ! That will be the new stance thing pretty soon.

TimG > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 08:24

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No honorable mention for the Reliant Robin in truck form? I haven’t seen one in person, but I’ve run across pics of these things being used all over the UK over the years for purposes ranging from flower delivery vehicles to micro-sized fire engines (basically carrying a small ladder and a 5-gallon bucket...empty of course). Just curious.

SaveTheSOHC > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 08:45

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don’t forget Polish Fiat 126p with... well, cargo space? It was called “bombel” (a bubble).

Engine in the back, your stuff goes above the engine.

BahamaTodd > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 08:47

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It used the same 236cc Iso motor that powered the little microcar and sat upon a relatively heavy-duty tubular frame giving it a cargo capacity of 500kg.

Ignoring all modern safety standards and driving conditions, I just want to point out that that has more payload capacity than a Ram 1500 crew cab. lol.

Jimbobway > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 08:48

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wantwantwantwant!

James May is my spirit animal > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) 07/17/2015 at 09:03

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Auto-randoseru

lazydave42 > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 09:25

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“It used the same 236cc Iso motor that powered the little microcar and sat upon a relatively heavy-duty tubular frame giving it a cargo capacity of 500kg.”

Wow. I like quirky small cars as much as the next guy but that cannot have been fun on anything resembling a gradient. That’s a total weight of nearly a tonne, with 9.5hp (7.1kW) to move it...

[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isetta#Iso_Autocarro ]

Big Russ > Naughty0ne 07/17/2015 at 09:41

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Not just Army.. Almost every Navy base I was on had them... The cost as much as a base PT Cruiser and couldn’t go faster than 30... And the range sucked on them

RazoE > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) 07/17/2015 at 09:45

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“I’m going on an adventure!”

Jonee > tapzz 07/17/2015 at 09:50

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Not totally micro, but good one.

Lazarus > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 09:50

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LOL!! My old steel pedal car was bigger!

tapzz > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 09:53

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Yeah, I was wondering after posting whether they’re too big and powerful. Not the Daf’s most obvious qualities, but they definitely are relative to the rest here...

bwade2k > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 10:00

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This dude totally reminds me of those stereotypical eye-talian people in old cartoons. Of course now that I see that in writing I realize there is probably a reason for that...

Jonee > tapzz 07/17/2015 at 10:05

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It’s definitely in the spirit of the others. Like a 2CV Camionette, which has the power of a micro, but not the size.

Jonee > Hedy-Lamarr-a-stoat 07/17/2015 at 10:08

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Somewhere, someone is the world’s tallest dwarf.

Encyclia > SaveTheSOHC 07/17/2015 at 10:09

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The shell looks like it was made by Tupperware.

RazorGP > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 10:10

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I want it!

Jonee > lazydave42 07/17/2015 at 10:10

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A little more than a half-ton, yeah. Amazing. I guess people didn’t mind waiting for their stuff back then.

Fuzzy86 > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 10:11

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Reading through this I can't help but think of the Cushman's that ran around my college.

RazorGP > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/17/2015 at 10:12

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There is a video of a guy drifting it around China with a Honda engine in it. Think he got it from an older civic.

FOUND IT!

Jonee > TimG 07/17/2015 at 10:13

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Reliants certainly count. There was also the Bond Ranger.

Jonee > Ben Lowrider 07/17/2015 at 10:14

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Bring back swing axels and skinny tires, I say.

Sir HoonsAlot > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 10:23

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Howabout a micro caravan?...

tapzz > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 10:30

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I was also wondering about well and truly minimal powered cargo transport in the form of two wheel tractors with trailers. Maybe another post...

Jonee > tapzz 07/17/2015 at 10:33

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That thing’s amazing looking. Yeah, that’s a category unto itself.

Ladymopar > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 13:05

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How great are these!! I love your articles. The Triumph looks like it’s stickeng it’s tounge out, I think that works on so many levels :P

Ladymopar > tapzz 07/17/2015 at 13:08

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We have one up here, I am not a truck fan, however all these are so cool. Is it wrong that I lust after this Citreon?

tapzz > Ladymopar 07/17/2015 at 13:51

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It is never wrong to lust after a Citroën!

thebigbossyboss > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 13:54

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Sambar always looks so happy!

psymptoms > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 14:31

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For sale right now!
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C635717

Baber K. Khan > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 15:38

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And they can do compete in drifting with an S2000 and have amazing sound. Alright, its just hilarious but these, 2-stroke Suzuki Ravi (Carry) have incredible sports car sound. Too bad they run out of RPM too soon and don’t get the boost to rev quickly up otherwise, you can easily mistake them for some racecar!

hp7015ca > Jonee 07/17/2015 at 15:57

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madmolf > tapzz 07/17/2015 at 18:19

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Hi,

That was my first tought, but after checking it is built differently. But there is a clear inspiration.

Jonee > Baber K. Khan 07/17/2015 at 18:51

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Ha! That’s awesome. Nothing like the menacing sounds of a two-stroke.

AUDACIA > Jonee 07/19/2015 at 11:39

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The Pre-war Hansa threewheelers made in Bremen, Germany are also quite quirky tribes.

lazydave42 > Jonee 07/20/2015 at 06:02

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The kerb weight is 475kg though, even before you put 500kg of stuff in it...