Production years for the L300

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:23 am

So, I have my 89 L300, and I love it, but I am planning on getting another one, (I don't know whether I will sell this one) I want to get one as new as possible without moving to the L400. Now I know that is not possible yet because of import laws and such. I was just wondering what te last year of the L300 was. I thought it was 1993, because I have seen L400s as old as 1994, but the post from Bolivia made me believe otherwise, considering it was apparently a 1995. I'll be waiting at least 2 years and learning everything I can about this one so the next will be babied, as well as modified to a rediculous extent. Just wondering what the last year really is because I do want a brand new (see 15 years old) van when it comes time.

Post by **Mystery Machine** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:50 am

Hi Adrock,

'Standard' production for the L300 Delica finished in July 1994 when it was superceded by the L400.

After the L400 came out, Mitsubishi still continued to produce the L300, but not in the same model range or quantities as when in 'standard' production!

I have seen 1999 L300's (Delica's, not vans) but around 1997, they changed things like removing the front bull bar and replacing it with a big plastic bumper. They also didn't have the same high spec models like Super Exceed because they wanted you to buy the L400 instead.

Most L300's made after 1994 tend to be lower spec 8 seaters or basic 7 seaters with very few of the options that the general production L300's had. You could still get them with Crystal roofs, but most people were buying L400's at this time, so they tended to be cheap 'entry level' motors compared to the luxury spec ones made up until 1994.

Personally I'd think about getting the best condition 'standard' production L300 you can rather than worrying about getting the newest. I'd have a '93 Super Exceed any day over a '99 GLX!

Regards for now,

Bruce.

Adrock · Post by **Adrock** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 3:01 am

93 or 94 seems to be around the right time.

Thanks you for the info.

hopefully i'll have a great new Deli to show you all in a year or two.

Delicashop.com · Post by **Delicashop.com** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:34 am

They (L300) are still being made as we speak as in Australia we have them as people movers 2wd and cargo vans still and now have a more intergrated nudge bar adn slightly different styling on the light set up.

Very basic and in Japan they have lost all their funny roofs and the like as MM suggested in that 1994 ish period when the L400 took over the road.

niekt · Post by **niekt** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:46 am

Mitsubishi ended importing the L300 in The Netherlands in 2002, ours is indeed a "basic" 2 seater van but most a the L300's were sold as 5 seater double cabs over here but they were not the luxurious versions you're all talking about ( we never had those anyway)

David · Post by **David** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:13 am

This leads me to a question I have been pondering. I am looking at importing another motor and tranny. Does anyone know from which years we can "clip" an engine and tranny and have it bolt staight into a 1991. The one I looked at from the shop mentioned in the other post was a 1993. Is that a straight swap?, or has some slight variation in a component location etc changed it enough so as to be a problem?

David