Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

Hi All,

After several months of working through the bureaucracy, I now have one of the first, if not the first, legally imported Delica in the US. Glen, Graham and the rest of the folks at Coombs, worked hard to get a vehicle that would pass US customs. My truck is a 1987 Exceed Starwagon, low top, P25W. I brought it to Seattle on Saturday, and Sunday I was getting keys made at the local hardware store and got two inquires. One was a fellow on his fourth Toyota forward control van who is having a hard time finding any of those in decent shape. He is likely a customer for a Delica and knew something about them. The other was a guy with a Vanagon Westy. He knew nothing about Delicas but was interested when I told him there were versions with pop tops, and the mechanicals were stouter than the Vanagon. He'd had a Syncro, but was tired of the parts hassle. Over the next months I hope to help get more Delis into the US and spread the word. Thanks for putting out such a great site. The information has been really helpful as I've been a lurker for several months learning about Delicas and the ins and outs of them.

Best,

Erich

Welcome!
My wife is American so we might one day need to bring our '93 to the states if we ever decide to move south.

Now all we need are some pictures

Welcome! It will be good to see more Deli's around!

Erich wrote:Hi All,

After several months of working through the bureaucracy, I now have one of the first, if not the first, legally imported Delica in the US. Glen, Graham and the rest of the folks at Coombs, worked hard to get a vehicle that would pass US customs. My truck is a 1987 Exceed Starwagon, low top, P25W. I brought it to Seattle on Saturday, and Sunday I was getting keys made at the local hardware store and got two inquires. One was a fellow on his fourth Toyota forward control van who is having a hard time finding any of those in decent shape. He is likely a customer for a Delica and knew something about them. The other was a guy with a Vanagon Westy. He knew nothing about Delicas but was interested when I told him there were versions with pop tops, and the mechanicals were stouter than the Vanagon. He'd had a Syncro, but was tired of the parts hassle. Over the next months I hope to help get more Delis into the US and spread the word. Thanks for putting out such a great site. The information has been really helpful as I've been a lurker for several months learning about Delicas and the ins and outs of them.

Best,

Erich

Congrats. I'm working on being the first in California to have an L300 and hopefully I'll be joining you soon. I have a suspicion on the van you bought...it was was I had my eye on and then POOF it was sold "to US customer". Yes I was sad because that one sure looked like the one for me! BUT, then, like your Vanagon acquaintance I became very interested in a pop-top.

So, my goal now is to find a pre-1990 pop top L300. Once I find the one for me I'll be flying up to Canada with my Fiance and we'll be driving back down. That trip will be the highlight of 2014 for us!

CaliVan wrote:

Erich wrote:Hi All,

After several months of working through the bureaucracy, I now have one of the first, if not the first, legally imported Delica in the US. Glen, Graham and the rest of the folks at Coombs, worked hard to get a vehicle that would pass US customs. My truck is a 1987 Exceed Starwagon, low top, P25W. I brought it to Seattle on Saturday, and Sunday I was getting keys made at the local hardware store and got two inquires. One was a fellow on his fourth Toyota forward control van who is having a hard time finding any of those in decent shape. He is likely a customer for a Delica and knew something about them. The other was a guy with a Vanagon Westy. He knew nothing about Delicas but was interested when I told him there were versions with pop tops, and the mechanicals were stouter than the Vanagon. He'd had a Syncro, but was tired of the parts hassle. Over the next months I hope to help get more Delis into the US and spread the word. Thanks for putting out such a great site. The information has been really helpful as I've been a lurker for several months learning about Delicas and the ins and outs of them.

Best,

Erich

Congrats. I'm working on being the first in California to have an L300 and hopefully I'll be joining you soon. I have a suspicion on the van you bought...it was was I had my eye on and then POOF it was sold "to US customer". Yes I was sad because that one sure looked like the one for me! BUT, then, like your Vanagon acquaintance I became very interested in a pop-top.

So, my goal now is to find a pre-1990 pop top L300. Once I find the one for me I'll be flying up to Canada with my Fiance and we'll be driving back down. That trip will be the highlight of 2014 for us!

Well, you are in luck, as those are easier for you to find in the US now, whereas before they were harder for us Canadians.

There should be lots of options available to you - don't be afraid to ask some of the dealers, getting a used Canadian one is a good idea as well as you will know more about the history.

Getting around Federal law will be the easy part in your case, California law however, is much more restrictive towards JDM and RHD.

Nice and congrats! Not the first in the US but probably top 30 by my rough estimates. Know of a few in Seattle, one other here in Portland and some now coming into California. There's a dealer in Long Beach starting to bring in the pre-90's. Welcome to the club!

http://instagram.com/p/aRfUXmEX3E/

JPK, can you send any contact info you have on the Seattle cars? I'd love to get together with them and promote Delis in Seattle.

Love your red Delica!

Best,

Erich

Welcome to the Delica forum. Lots of great information here.

I was in Seattle this past summer with my L400....the Deli's get plenty of stares and we even spotted an L300 from BC at Pike's Market.

BB