The ideal campervan, that's definitely the 4WD Mitsubishi Delica!

The English page of a popular science website, the information about some Japanese cars is not rich, even if you rely on those notes and reference materials, you can't get any specific and useful information, such as Mitsubishi Delika, I find it very troublesome... However, I didn't have the heart to learn Japanese, so I could only search day after day, thinking about it for a while, hoping that one day, I was suddenly completely shocked by a rich, detailed, but long-hidden page.

Carefully calculated, in fact, this day did not come too late, and my behavior of random searching for a while lasted for about a few years before I moved the celestial immortal responsible for managing delica-related network information (this immortal may have taken sick leave for more than ten years) and obtained some small details. For me, who did not have less contact with Southeast Delica when I was a child, these small details could not only confirm my speculations at that time, but also gain new knowledge, and the mood was still quite happy.

Quite a famous group photo, pay attention to the logo of the front of the car

The story of toyota sea lions is actually more popular, but Delica was quite strong in Chinese mainland that year, and even in terms of early cognition, it was slightly better than sea lions. However, the world's niche non-mainstream car fans seem to have been more obsessed with delica in recent years, mainly because of the four-wheel drive model it has offered since the second generation. Counting the fingers, the third generation of Delica has survived for more than 20 years, so it is not surprising that a large number of right-hand-driven four-wheel drive Delicas appear in the United States.

The price of delica imported into the United States

Of course, my southeast Delica also has domestic four-wheel drive models, but the number is really rare, 10 years ago in the off-road E family has been a rare rare variety, not to mention now. Unfortunately, even if the car is more than 50 years old, our motherland has closed its own door to death, and there is no chance of importing them from abroad, let alone sharing our road resources with the left and right rudders... Alas, at this point, the mood fell at once. Back to Delica... Since it is all details, it is necessary to start from the beginning, and I am bored to look at the picture.

Does it look good?

Japan's economic boom in the 1960s, the Construction of the Olympic Games, the Shinkansen, and the Expressway Network have not only regained their place on the international stage, but also allowed the people of the country to enjoy an unprecedented rich life. In the automotive industry, in addition to allowing Japanese auto brands to offer more luxurious and more performing civilian cars, the booming commercial and trade demand for commercial vehicles has also contributed to the development of this segment.

Japan's first expressway opens... Pay attention to the two cars in the photo, it is very exciting

The Mitsubishi Delica, Toyota Hiace and Mazda Bongo, which we are familiar with today, were all born in the mid-to-late 1960s. Mazda Bongo was released in 1966, Toyota Hiace was released in 1967, and Mitsubishi Delica was released in 1968 (yes, this is the year when Japan's GDP surpassed that of the Federal Republic of Germany, becoming the second largest capitalist world after the United States. Ten years later, in 1978, its gross national product surpassed that of the Soviet Union, becoming truly second in the world, and remained there until 2010, when it was surpassed by China).

Shinkansen in 1964...

Back to Mitsubishi Delica. On July 1, 1968, Mitsubishi released a new car called delica, but it was not the "van" we are familiar with, but a truck with a load capacity of 600 kilograms. It should be said that at this time, Delica did not have any sense of design, but simply combined the elements of a flat-headed truck, and then put into the army of production and construction, just like the meaning of Mitsubishi's name: Delivery Car (delivery car). Oh yes, and delIka was using a 1.1-liter petrol engine at this time, 58 horsepower.

Delica was released in 1968

The rapid development of the economy has given the logistics and transportation industry the opportunity to further upgrade and gradually subdivide and specialize, so in April 1969, shortly after Mitsubishi launched the Delica truck, the car family had the members of the van we are familiar with. Of course, the Delica van was naturally developed on the basis of the Delica van, and the Delica, whose main purpose was to transport passengers, was named Delica Coach. At that time, the interior space of the Delica van was the largest in the same class, and the configuration was complete, many of which seemed ordinary today, but at the time seemed to be basically not in the commercial model, such as audio, heating, leather seats and so on.

The serious Delica was released in 1969

Two years later, in 1971, the Delica family acquired an engine with a more powerful output and a larger displacement: 1.4 liters and 86 horsepower. Due to the increase in power, the vehicle's load index has also improved, from 600 kg to 750 kg (also due to the change in load capacity, the name of the vehicle has been changed to Delica 75). In 1974, the Delica family once again underwent a considerable change in appearance, the headlights were changed from the previous cute double round lights to four round lights, the size of each lamp was reduced, and the triangular windows on the two front doors were also removed.

Delica 75 Coach, pay attention to the front of the car, the details and the early Delica has a more obvious difference

Delica 75 Coach

Redesigned in 1974, the Delica Coach has been much modernized

In the process of the gradual evolution of Delica, Japan's economy has continued to develop at a high speed, and a prosperous automobile society has begun to gradually take shape. Similar to members of the Volkswagen T family from Europe, Delica, who has earned a reputation in the commercial vehicle segment, has begun to think about its place in the civilian market. At this time, the Japanese people, who have become rich, began to yearn for the entertainment mode of self-driving leisure in Europe and the United States, and the construction of Japan's highway network has begun to form a scale, so driving to camping, fishing, skiing, etc. has begun to become the mainstream entertainment and leisure mode in society. In this environment, Mitsubishi built the Delica Camping Van, a camping model with a roof-up function, in 1972 based on the Delica 75. It should be said that this set of roads is simply too familiar, especially for fans who know a little about the Volkswagen T family... Although there was no creativity, at that time, it was also a way to attract people's attention.

Delica Camping Van

Regarding the beginning of Delica, it is enough to say so much, and no one is interested in the details of the estimate, and to be honest, I am not particularly interested.

This front face is so cute!

So let's talk about the second generation of Delica, which is more historically important. The second generation of delika was released in June 1979, a change from the rounded shape of the previous model, the whole car is very square, see the angle, but also the embodiment of the trend that was popular that year. From this generation of models, Delica began to enter China on a large scale, and quickly attracted the attention of domestic car manufacturers... Then there are domestic models that look a bit like them.

Delica van

This, like?

The second-generation Delica models are mainly distinguished by the Van, which is simple in configuration and mainly transports goods, and the Star Wagon, which is relatively rich in configuration and mainly transports passengers. Remember the Delica Coach mentioned in the first generation? Later in the first generation, this segment was abolished, and the second-generation Star Wagon was the model that replaced the first generation of the Delica Coach until the third generation.

This shape is really simple and beautiful

At this time, the second generation of Delica had a richer power choice: the 1.4-liter 82-horsepower engine was only for Van and vans, the 1.6-liter 86-horsepower engine Van and van could be optional, and the Star Wagon could also be paired with this 1.6-liter engine, using a 5-speed manual transmission. In 1980, the second-generation Delica introduced a high-roof model, while also offering a 1.8-liter petrol engine as an option. In 1981, the second generation of Delica began to provide automatic transmissions, at this time, Delica began to try to get rid of its original worker and peasant class attributes, and concentrated part of its own style into the trend of leisure and entertainment, such as arranging high-end stereos, steering power, rotatable seats and so on the optional configuration of the model.

It is no longer like the first generation of models, it looks so "tool"

Okay, the appetizer is basically over, and from now on we're going to talk about something interesting.

Born in 1982, the second generation of the Deceka 4WD was born

1982 was a landmark year for the Mitsubishi Delica family. In the same year, the time-sharing four-wheel drive system used on the Mitsubishi Forte pickup truck was ported to the Delica Star Wagon. At the same time, Mitsubishi has also made a series of off-road packaging and modifications for this Deceka with new functions: off-road rims, bumpers, elevated suspension, special pull-up color strips, and an optional electric winch. After such a "dress", the originally thick Mitsubishi Delica suddenly became fierce, even more eye-catching than many of the SUV at that time. In addition to introducing four-wheel drive technology to Delika, Mitsubishi also equipped Delika with a diesel-powered 2.3-liter 4D55 diesel engine for the first time.

This pickup truck is actually quite a lot in China in the 80s of the last century...

It's just so eye-catching, especially in 1982...

In 1982, there was another more important thing for Mitsubishi, that is, the new off-road vehicle released in April, the Pajero. The importance of this off-road vehicle of the year, today's SUV, for this brand needless to say, it and the four-wheel drive system used by the Delika four-wheel drive model, are from the time-sharing four-wheel drive system used by the Mitsubishi Forte pickup truck. In a less appropriate way, the off-road version of the Mitsubishi Forte four-wheel drive pickup truck is the first generation of Pajero (at the earliest time, there was only a 3-door version), and the van version is the second generation of four-wheel drive Delica.

The first generation of Pajero

For such a new concept of the van, the Japanese market should be said to have given a very enthusiastic response. Of course, its more RV-oriented packaging: such as a more luxurious cabin interior, a more complete configuration (even a double-ring watch involving off-road can provide: altimeter and body tilt indication, a generation of Pajero also have), but also let many ordinary consumers are willing to swipe the card to pay, without worrying about buying a commercial van home, let others laugh. In 1983, the more powerful 2.0-liter gasoline engine began to appear in the engine compartment of the second-generation four-wheel drive Delica.

Simple and clear chassis diagram

As mentioned earlier, the first generation of delika responded to the growing demand for outdoor recreation in Japanese society and launched a camping version of the model. In the 1980s, the more affluent Japanese became obsessed with skiing on a massive scale. From the ski resorts in France and Switzerland to the ski resorts in Japan, as long as it is the snow season, there are Japanese people who enjoy skiing everywhere. In this social atmosphere, Delica made a difference again, introducing a ski-themed limited edition model based on the 4WD Delica in October 1985 called Chammonix. Keep this particular model in mind, as it became a tradition of the Delica family some time later, and there is still this special version on the next generation of models.

The Chamonixi version of the second-generation four-wheel drive Delica

Although the third generation of delikas was released in 1986, the second generation of delikas still survives in some form in Japan, for example, in 1988, the second generation of delica vans began to offer a four-wheel drive version. Okay, I know, don't shout! The Philippines is still producing certain models of the second generation of delica... Oh, yes, in 1983, the second generation of delica had a big change in appearance, the front round light changed to square light.

This is still the round lamp version

Next, the third generation of Delika, which is most familiar to the post-80s, is also the generation that zheng'er Bajing began to produce in China. In June 1986, the third generation of delica was released in Japan, and it should be said that the most impressive thing is its fully luxurious design, reflecting the unprecedented prosperity of the Japanese economy at that time. When the development of the third-generation Delika began in 1983, Mitsubishi focused its improvements on the flattening of the car platform, the efficient use of interior space, and the lightweighting of the body structure. Different from the second-generation model, the image of this generation of models is relatively softer and less angular, but the details of parts such as lights and bumpers are more exquisite, which to a certain extent gets rid of the feeling of five big and three thick commercial vehicles.

The third generation of Delica

In terms of power, 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter gasoline engines are still available to Van models, 2.0-liter gasoline engines are gradually becoming mainstream, and 4D56 diesel self-priming or turbocharged engines have also gained more consumer preference. There is no suspense that the third generation of Delica still has a well-received and continues to be well received four-wheel drive models, but in addition, Mitsubishi believes that the unprecedented prosperity of the economy, only rely on a set of time-sharing four-wheel drive system and a few velvet seats to echo each other is far from enough, Delika to have a new bright spot, can set off the highlights of the Japanese social atmosphere at that time.

What a sight to see how to like it!

On the non-four-wheel drive version of the third-generation Delica, consumers can get high-grade velvet seats in the middle row rotatable type, but more eye-catching is the left and right distribution roof glass sunroofs on the two-wheel drive model, named "Crystal Light Roof". While this seemingly somewhat old sunroof structure is no big deal by today's standards, it was eye-opening in the mid-to-late 1980s when a van originally positioned for commercial use offered such an atmospheric configuration. It is conceivable that this crystal light roof is widely popular with consumers, not only competitors later offered similar configurations, but the next generation of models also inherited this tradition, and even came to China through technical cooperation. You know what kind of car I'm talking about, right?

The roof of this crystal light can be seen clearly... It's really advanced!

Of course, as an important model for delica to RV and high-end, how can the four-wheel drive version lack the vital and popular configuration of "Crystal Light Roof"? After the 4WD Delica was fitted with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission in 1988, in 1989 the 4WD model was finally able to offer the "Crystal Light Roof" roof, as well as an EFI technology that produced a 115 hp 2.4-litre petrol engine (the famous 4G64). In addition to this, other changes are in full swing. In 1990, the third generation of Delica underwent a mid-term overhaul, and the front layout of the car was completely changed, on this side, the front of the car appeared more advanced... The slender headlights and the reshaped bumper work together in perfect harmony, and while the four-wheel drive version still uses bumpers similar in shape to before, the changed headlights still reflect the kind of "premium feel" that Mitsubishi wants to offer that is unmatched in the van segment.

The third generation of delica four-wheel drive is particularly tall... But it's still very "advanced"

This mid-term redesign, in addition to the styling changes, Mitsubishi also provided a top-of-the-line model called "SuperExceed". The difference between this model and other models is mainly in the car, the two independent luxury velvet seats in the middle row, the emergence of special colors and refrigerators and other configurations, as well as the modification of details. The most annoying thing about writing JDM cars is that every year these cars will have some small changes, and these small changes will be ignored if they are not paid attention to. For example, just after the mid-term redesign, this side of the 1991 2.4-liter gasoline engine has a 4-speed automatic transmission can be optional, the original and off-road related duplexes have become triple meters, more of which is the internal and external temperature display.

Two beautiful color schemes, two-wheel drive models

Super Exceed's carriage...

With a three-ring watch, very late automatic gasoline third generation four-wheel drive Delica

The third generation of delica was the last updated four-wheel drive model in 1997

Remember the ski-specific Chammonix version mentioned when we were talking about the second-generation model? The third-generation model was launched as soon as it was released, and from 1986 to 1993, the corresponding Chamonix model was launched in each year according to the model of the year. Limited edition models with a limited edition of years, I really served!

Third generation Delika 4WD Chamonix Ski Limited Edition

In addition to the Winter Chammonix Ski Limited Edition, Mitsubishi also launched a limited edition model called Santa Monica based on the third-generation Delika Exceed two-wheel drive 2.0 4AT model, 400 units, of course, this one does not sell every year. In 1994, a limited edition model called Jasper was released, which can be understood as a four-wheel drive Delica with some camping features. In 1995, the Active World limited edition model was released, which was also the last limited edition model launched by the third generation of Delica in the Japanese market.

Two-wheel drive Santa Monica, american style bumper is very eye-catching

Camping themed Jasper

At this point, the story about delika in my personal mind is basically the same, and the subsequent appearance of the short-nose model is not a delika in the strict sense of the word. The third generation has a very high ownership in China, in addition to the early Samsung and other smuggling enterprises to assemble the Delika, the follow-up in Fujian production of southeast Delika should be said to be quite popular, and it is also a model that can break the wrist with the Jinbei Sea Lion to a certain extent. Although the later changes are getting uglier, this pot is really not Mitsubishi's back, and the Zhonghua automobile on the other side looks over.

The third-generation Delica, which is still on sale at the opposite side of the CMC, even offers hybrid models

At that time, southeast Delica, Welfare Card and Ling Shuai, these models combined together, really a beautiful landscape... Later, the more ugly the Deli card and the gradually quiet welfare card, as well as from the introduction to the discontinuation of production have almost no sound, hanging mitsubishi logo of the Junkaku ... It's not that those cars are good, but at that time, there were all kinds of cars in the mess, and it was really wonderful.

Mitsubishi Junkaku, a car with a strong sense of existence on the mainland

I have to emphasize that the above stories about Delika are just some very simple details, and more content I am still digging into, because this thing has produced too many models in Japan, and I guess Mitsubishi himself can't tell the details and differences now. In the future, I have the opportunity to continue to elaborate, such as the story of the second-generation Delica in Beijing after it was changed to the back bridge from the Jeep CJ5, and the third-generation Delica that has not been discontinued on the side of Taiwan's Zhonghua Automobile.