My quest for a proper Delica here in the USA!!

[Rattlenbang]

They must not have seen that infamous crash test video from Australia. I've never seen a crash test video that made me nervous about owning a vehicle until then. Crazy.

Link?

[DR1665]

They must not have seen that infamous crash test video from Australia. I've never seen a crash test video that made me nervous about owning a vehicle until then. Crazy.

Link?

In case YouTube code ^^^ doesn't work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnY_h4soriY

From: http://www.ancap.com.au/crashtestrecord?Id=218

The tested model of Mitsubishi Express van was introduced in Australia during 2003. Airbags, antilock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control are not available. The front seat belt buckles are mounted on the sats. This feature improves the fit of the seat belt.

1 star. The Mitsubishi Express scored 1.34 out of 16 in the offset crash test. The passenger compartment was severely deformed, particularly in the footwell area. Protection from serious leg injury was poor for the driver. Head and chest protection was weak. The vehicle was awarded a default score of 16 out of 16 in the side impact crash test. However the low offset score meant that the vehicle was limited to a 1 star rating and an overall score of 8.49 (the maximum available for a 1 star rating).

Scurred.

[Rattlenbang]

That's ugly, but thankfully not my L300. I wonder what it would do being heavier and higher?

[William]

So my dream of a real Delica may be getting closer to reality. Just last night my contact in Ontario bid, and won on an auction for an 89 Delica for me. Just need to have it shipped to him, and wait until August when the the van will be legal for me to import under the USA 25 year rule. I am very excited! It is the nice two tone blue and white, with the sliding windows, 4 headlamps, turbo diesel, 4wd, automatic, and large moonroof in the passengers area. I wanted the spinning captains seats in the middle row, but this one has the flip-flop bench, but beggars can't be choosers with these in the USA. Low kilometers with only 66,000, so it should be in good shape. Wish me luck in the coming months with regard to getting it here in the USA. I can't wait.

Congrats on your purchase. Good to see these going to the US now! FYI though and I have been through this already with other customers, the states doesn't care about month of manufacture only year. Your van shouldn't have to wait until August.... RD should know that, so you should make them aware seeing as how they don't seem to know.

[DR1665]

Thank you, sir. I suspect the states might not, but these days, I don't want to get on any US government lists. ;)

Might see about getting my facelifted 90 a couple months early, though...

[Mazdax605]

I'm not sure what RD is, but the importer I am dealing with isn't sure of the whole month of manufacture. I'm not either as I saw a story about an 89 Skyline coming into the USA recently without the check on the build month, but I am not entirely sure that is legit. I am just worried about seizure, and crushing of the van. I would love it earlier, but at this point I can wait. Heck it hasn't even left Japan yet, so it will be a litlle while anyway.

I wouldn't wait for the facelift van aside from some better option packages, and the crystal lite roof that I wanted, I prefer the sealed beam headlamps, and sliding rear windows of the earlier vans. I am going to try to fit a facelifted brush bar onto the front of my van as they do look better, but if it doesn't work I am okay with the stock one on there now.

[patriceboivin]

crushing of the van... that annoys me.

When people want to import a Ferrari to the US, are they limited to the 25-year models?
And Chrysler is owned by Fiat now, that makes them Italian. They now fall under the import restrictions, right?

Politicians...

I guess there's nothing we can do.

[DR1665]

I'm not sure what RD is, but the importer I am dealing with isn't sure of the whole month of manufacture. I'm not either as I saw a story about an 89 Skyline coming into the USA recently without the check on the build month, but I am not entirely sure that is legit. I am just worried about seizure, and crushing of the van. I would love it earlier, but at this point I can wait. Heck it hasn't even left Japan yet, so it will be a litlle while anyway.

I wouldn't wait for the facelift van aside from some better option packages, and the crystal lite roof that I wanted, I prefer the sealed beam headlamps, and sliding rear windows of the earlier vans. I am going to try to fit a facelifted brush bar onto the front of my van as they do look better, but if it doesn't work I am okay with the stock one on there now.

RD is RightDrive, which is my importer up in Toronto.

US Federal Law, per the rules posted on the NHTSA website (which are mostly older PDFs, but still easy to find and read by anyone willing to spend 5 minutes googling importing cars to America), the vehicle must be 25 years old down to the month and year in order to be federally legal.

Let's assume my van was built in April 1990, I bring it home in January, and the Feds catch wind of it in August. I'd be willing to bet that, as I'm not a corporation or billionaire, I would be subject to some clause allowing them to seize and crush my Delica even though it was currently legal simply because it was imported illegally. Not worth the risk, imo.

It's also worth mentioning that the 25-year rule mainly applies to models not sold in the US to begin with. If the model is simply a variation of one sold in the States at the same time, it's likely easier to import, assuming the manufacturer certifies the crash test and emissions standards agree with the US rules of the time. I suspect this might make it possible to import a 5-year old Honda CRV, for example, assuming one was willing to pay a little extra for paperwork.

I hadn't thought about the sliding rear windows on the pre-facelift models. That's a tempting feature, but yeah, I really want the Crystal roof on mine. I'll just swap in better projectors if necessary.

[Mr. Flibble]

It's also worth mentioning that the 25-year rule mainly applies to models not sold in the US to begin with. If the model is simply a variation of one sold in the States at the same time, it's likely easier to import, assuming the manufacturer certifies the crash test and emissions standards agree with the US rules of the time. I suspect this might make it possible to import a 5-year old Honda CRV, for example, assuming one was willing to pay a little extra for paperwork.

The manufacture will not certify the crash test and emissions. I have a great deal of experience with that, and to be honest, this is not a road worth going down. The manufacturers are constantly spammed with requests like this from the US, and unless you know someone high up in the company you won't get that letter, in fact, you won't even get so much as a response.

[Erich]

As far as the crash test, I don't think there is any forward control that would do any better. Vanagon, Bus, Pinzgauer, Jeep FC 150.

Mazda, you might check your serial numbers, but mine car(an '87) just had a serial number, no VIN, so the month of manufacture is not listed. It was a bit of an issue for customs as they want a VIN, but we told them it was just a serial number. Fortunately, it is plastered all over the car in various places.

[FalcoColumbarius]

As far as the crash test, I don't think there is any forward control that would do any better. ...

Josh (long time member) ~ his original Starwagon was involved in a head on collision on the 16. His wife was driving at 80 Kliks on the highway and around the bend came some drunken person in a car doing 60, in her lane. The Delica hit that car, spun around and collided with a truck(?) and eventually wound up in a ditch, on her wheels. I have seen his old van and I was amazed how little damage that was done, mostly the bambie bar was pushed into the van. Josh's wife was alright.

I'd say they are built like tanks. Mine runs and looks great (although it is written off, so it will never again be allowed on the road) and it was hit head on on the hwy. My wife is totally convinced she would not have been as fortunate to come out without a scratch if it was in anything else (especially if she was driving in one of our minitrucks!). I have no concerns. They are safer than most other cars in my opinion, and larger.

Josh

On another occasion I saw a Chamonix at CC Autos that had hit what looks like a big pillar. The front wrapped around something and looked very bad, but the driver walked away from it; there was no passenger but I think they might of had broken legs, hard to tell.

Talking with ManitobaDeli one time and he related that some guy in his town commented that he "wouldn't want to be in an accident in one of those", to which MD replied "what kind of vehicle would you want to be in an accident in?" I love that one.

I guess the moral of the story is not to drive into walls. Conditions change. Drive accordingly. Be aware.

Falco.

[Mazdax605]

My Delica is in transit from Japan as of this typing. It lands in Vancouver later this month, and then the shipping container it is in travels via rail to Ontario. I can't wait to get the van!! Still trying to get ahold of a Registered Importer for the trip across the border into the US.

Chris

[Lapprentis]

Hi Chris, mine is shown on the same website as yours ! but I think it is still overthere tough Keep in touch about how it will go down to your place. So far I have please with Craig's service, he is very helpfull.
Lapprentis

[Mazdax605]

Craig said my van was in transit as of now, and will arrive in Vancouver in a shipping contaoner with another vehicle, and some part later this month.I saw your listed on his site, and I agree he has been very helpful so far. I am excited about getting the van, and I am a little jelous that you are getting the better optioned 1990 model with the crystal lite roof, and all. Also yours has the better front guard on it. Craig said he hopes that the spare that he has will fit mine as I want the larger brush guard like yours.

How are you getting around the RHD restriction in your province?

[Lapprentis]

Chris, hope that it is mine that is on its way with yours...Anywhay, I like yours very much and if I do ever want to y a second Delica one day, it will be one like yours as for winter (salty conditions) driving. Do not be jaleous as I will have to wait a little bit less than a year before it is 25. As for the regulation, the law is clear (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road_safe ... /index.php), their ban exclude 25YO and older vehicle. I double checked with RHD Quebec forum before buying this Delica. So whenever you will be driving yours next summer, take a scenery movie as seen from your dash for me, I will used it on a wall while seating in my stationarry Delica
Lapprentis