Hello from Seattle (Not Canadian.. I know!!)

[DartmouthBrian]

Hey everyone! I know I know... I'm not Canadian, but honestly you all have the best group going on!

So I am in the midst of purchasing my very first Delica. I believe it's a 1988, but heard somewhere that it looks like a 1991. I just don't know. Got to love grey market in the US. Here's a photo attached, any thoughts?

I am making the switch from Vanagon and I couldn't be more excited!

A little about me, I am VERY familiar with and have owned & restored many Land Rovers, which are still a great love of mine.


I look forward to getting to know you all on here!

Cheers,

Brian

[nxski]

Welcome! Glad to see a couple new USA members popping up. That really doesn't look like an 88. The 88's don't have that plastic grill and have square headlights. It's possible that someone went to great effort to give it a facelift, but you definitely want to make sure the year is correct.

[DartmouthBrian]

Hey! Thanks, yeah someone else stated that it looked more like a 91 and I can see where a decal was that said Super Exceed. As far as I can tell from my inspection of the van, it doesn't appear to be modified. That's the problem with Imports in the US, I owned an 88 Defender that had a 77 title. I wish the US would loosen some of their rules.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Growlerbearnz]

I'm quite familiar with a number of 1960's minis imported to the US. You know, those rare 1960's models with fuel injection, air conditioning, and various other features that wouldn't come back until the 1990's.

I'm thinking this is a 1988 model along the same lines. Those clever Japanese were obviously just testing out the look of the '91 a few years before it went on sale. If it's anything like those Minis then it's easy to prove when it was made by showing the year on the title. The year on the title is never wrong.

[Growlerbearnz]

Oh and I hope you end up buying it, it would be awesome to see a Delica driving around Seattle!

[DartmouthBrian]

Oh yes.. I've seen those Minis... hahaha Sort of like my old Defender a 1977 with 1988 options! ;)

[yojimbo]

Oh yes.. I've seen those Minis... hahaha Sort of like my old Defender a 1977 with 1988 options! ;)

Which is ironic, because the Defender wasn't even in production then.

[DartmouthBrian]

Oh yes.. I've seen those Minis... hahaha Sort of like my old Defender a 1977 with 1988 options! ;)

Which is ironic, because the Defender wasn't even in production then.

Exactly.

[jessef]

At earliest it would be a November 1990 production month.

Up to October 1990 they did not produce the facelift you see on the 1991+ 's.

If it's registered as a 1988, someone fudged the VIN or did the facelift, interior and super exceed decal trims on the body.

[DartmouthBrian]

At earliest it would be a November 1990 production month.

Up to October 1990 they did not produce the facelift you see on the 1991+ 's.

If it's registered as a 1988, someone fudged the VIN or did the facelift, interior and super exceed decal trims on the body.

Hey! Thanks for the info. I actually read a few of your posts over at the Samba. SUPER HELPFUL!!! I actually compiled info from your posts for parts, cross referencing etc... Much appreciation. I too am a Vanagon owner, but in all honesty... I'm over it. I've worked on that van more than I have ever used or enjoyed it, so I am looking forward to owning a Delica.

Cheers

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hey Brian, welcome to Delica Canada

If you have the VIN, which should be P35W-XXXXXXX (seven numbers) and is found under a little grey plastic hatch on the frame between the driver's seat and the door. Go to the Delica FAQ Section, click on "Useful Links for Vehicle Part Identification Purposes", and scroll down to "JDM Online Catalogue", click on that and enter your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) into the Mitsubishi field and hit enter. The next page will tell you the day your Starwagon rolled off the assembly line, amongst other things.

Falco.

[DartmouthBrian]

Thank you Falco for the info! Much appreciated.

Quick question to you all, how difficult is it to get a workshop manual on these vans? I've not seen one for sale online yet...

[FalcoColumbarius]

Next to the Delica FAQ Section is the "L300 Dedicated Category Reference Forum". Look in there, 'though it's only partial.

Falco.

[TardisDeli]

HI Dartmouth Brian, welcome to our Cult.

Yes, the headlights are definitely late 1990 on, the 1990 and earlier had square headlights, and the front body panel was shaped differently to accomodate those shaped headlights. Look on the front seatbelts, there is a small white fabric label near where it bolts in, it will have a date of manufacture, ie 1990 2 which means February 1990, this is usually accurate with a week or so of date.

We are having a Deli-Meet this sunday. 9 June, at Langley airport, at the cafe beside the museum (first road south of the main terminal). Starts at 2pm. Come and crawl around our vehicles, and ask questions, and you can certainly test drive mine (1997 L300).

We do have one of our experienced local owners who is working in Issiquah, search the postings, maybe you can meet.

I love landrovers, but not the new ones. A nice Defender 110 would be ideal.

Feel Free to PM me, we can chat on phone so you can learn before you buy.

Cheers Christine.

[DartmouthBrian]

Hey, thanks for the invite! If my passport hadn't expired, I'd totally head up to BC for the meet-up... Maybe next time!!