These are the people movers of Mexico, running a route like a bus but much quicker. They come regular style like shown here and with raised roofs about 18″ higher as seen on this one from Mexico.

I’ve not been in one with air conditioning but I’m told they can be ordered that way. They have a passenger side sliding door with a modification of a rope and lever system to speed customer entry and exit. All I’ve seen have the seats on side and across back.

Modifications may include a Toyota rear axle as the Toyota carries a larger passenger load.

These units have no airbags, no sheet metal in front to take a crash. They do go a lot of miles.

Here is a unit with the raised top. Location South Western Mexico on Pacific Coast but beside Central Americas tallest Mountain.

http://picasaweb.google.ca/kgraham.printer/TapachulaToTacanaMexico

This of course, coming from an Ex-Vanagon owner, so take that as you may.

This and the Vanagon share one thing, quoting James may, in describing the Fiat 500 of yore,

“You rev it and rev it and rev it until the valves come out and dance around on the bonnet, and then you change gear”

Believe it or not, the Air Force actually uses a very similar vehicle to the microvan here in the states. Smaller than a Suzuki Carry, you see them puttering all over base. They have a label on them certifying they are limited to 45mph, and side streets only. But they are Four-Wheel Drive!

The thing barely weighed 1700 lbs, and it would get up to 35 miles an hour (”freeway” speeds in the then communist era India) quite quickly… but then top out at about 65.

It also returned a proper 35mpg… plus, with an open exhaust, it would sound like a Triumph triple :)

Should have a drift class for all the old ones and the Mitsu Wagons and Toyota “toasters”.

Bunter

I remembered the Hi-Lux was almost the same style and like what qa mentioned that you will have a bumpy ride when you sit on the “third row seat”.

The Urvan lacks a tachometer in all but the highest trim levels, but the a/c belt squeal lets you know when to shift.

But now I’m wondering if I should be upset that my own car doesn’t do this. Any suggestions on what mods I can install to get this feature for myself?

Brian E:
Not to seem pedantic, but that’s actually the Scandinavian flick, named after the nutty rally drivers of yore. :)

There’s a reason why the chairman of the IIHS immediately sold his mid-engine Toyota Previa when he saw the crash test results. (Dateline NBC made a big deal out of it)

That said, thank you Captain Solowiow for your service and taking the time to write us 800 words. If you’re ever in Texas, let’s grab a beer and talk third-world whips. :)

Are you kidding me? Did you see the video RF linked to? That thing doesn’t look like it’d tip over in anything short of a hurricane.

Excellent piece, love the tongue-in-cheek approach.

If you want indigestion, ride at the last row..

The Van looks like the old VW Van in the 60’s and 70’s. I think the Nissan Van is more popular in Asia,Africa and middle east than in the United States. I’m afraid it will tip over with high winds.