Wasn't aware this existed...I want one

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 02/27/2016 at 07:25 • Filed to: Cushman

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While looking up Cushman for manual transmissions, I came across this interesting fellow; a Cushman 7 Passenger Mini Van, which is technically a golf cart.

The first link has heat and A/C with a 3-speed transmission but only two pics. The second link has more pics, but just says gas engine. The second links pics show a shifter, so there’s that. From the looks of, it’s wider than a golf cart, but just has a really small engine. It’s adorable and I want one now.

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Connqr > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 07:34

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When they say mini van they sure mean it!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 07:38

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Actually, it’s not a golf cart at all, it’s probably a just a REAL VAN.

A lot of companies that sell “work” vehicles (especially in the US - Cushman, etc) import kei-class or kei-’type’ vehicles from Japan and other Asian countries/companies, rebadge them to their name, than modify the engines and transmissions to dumb them down (usually the engines are fairly small already, so like 660-800cc) so they can legally be sold as low-speed ‘work’ vehicles for college campuses, etc.

Everywhere else they are fully-fledged little vans without the modifications. 2stroketurbo’s Youtube channel has a series of him bringing a Kia Towner microvan back to life with a multitude of parts to try and get it road-legal as a “normal” car in Oregan as he already owns 2 Subaru 360 kei vans from the 1960's/1970's.

Check out his channel for other “Mystery Micro Van” videos - pretty interesting. :)

zeontestpilot > Connqr 02/27/2016 at 07:38

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I know, right? Bigger than a golf cart, smaller than a car. Plus the second one has that awesome grill guard. It reminds me of some the older, small, Japanese mini vans.

zeontestpilot > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 02/27/2016 at 07:43

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Haha, that's pretty cool.l! The next question is, what was it originally? :).

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 07:51

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His van, originally as far as he can tell, was a Kia Towner as sold everywhere else. :)

Very little information on them though! If you are in the US, just import an older Daihatsu or Honda kei van from Japan for cheap! :P

150,000yen, so $1320 US plug shipping! 1991 model, so beats the 25-year old import laws. And, hey, manual trans! :P

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/HONDA…

No modifications by US companies, so they are fully street legal as a “normal” car and can cruise at 60mph on the highways no problems - they may be a little slow to accelerate there, and buzzy once there, but they would, as I mentioned, a “fully-fledged car”, haha!

Probenja > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 07:59

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Those things were everywhere in the 80's and 90's in Chile from many manufacturers, we nicknamed them “pan de molde” or “bread loaf” as they were similar in shape and the bakeries usually used them. After Chinese brands came to the country they became popular again but the Chinese versions weren’t as reliable as the Japanese ones that you still see them to this day.

zeontestpilot > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 02/27/2016 at 08:22

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Good to know! :)

zeontestpilot > Probenja 02/27/2016 at 08:22

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I think the boxy shape is part of its charm, :).

Svend > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 08:48

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Had them here in the U.K. as the Bedford Rascal.

They are quite utilitarian.

zeontestpilot > Svend 02/27/2016 at 08:50

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I really like the 2nd and 3rd pics. Also, I’ve never heard of Bedford.

Svend > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 09:20

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Bedford ‘was’ a truck and van division of the Vauxhall car company. Some were essentially rebadged imports (in this case a rebadged Suzuki Carry).

Bedford started out in 1930 but after the 80s they didn’t really produce much and the name was retired in 1991.

I know Bedford more for their military vehicles.

They also did buses.

zeontestpilot > Svend 02/27/2016 at 10:10

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Those are nice looking buses.

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 11:10

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Adorbs. I’ve always had a thing for these little Kei trucks.

zeontestpilot > shop-teacher 02/27/2016 at 11:41

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Agreed. And this one wants to be hooned!

MM54 > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 13:01

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The university I went to had one of these that the IT people would run around between buildings in. I spent 4 years asking to drive it but never got to - I still want one.

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 02/27/2016 at 18:57

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For sure!