What exactly do you get when you combine tidy Japanese proportions and the American sedan-cum-pickup idea of the Chevrolet El Camino? Well it’s not the Subaru Baja or the Honda Ridgeline. It’s the Suzuki Mighty Boy.
Think you can handle all this rarity? Read on.
Late last week, our own Chris Tonn alerted me to this Craigslist posting of something called a Mighty Boy. Much like our last Rare Rides Lancia Thema, this Suzuki is located north of downtown Los Angeles. Located somewhat south of Seattle, it’s near the border with that tree-filled state — Orégon.
The Suzuki Mighty Boy was a short-lived variation of the Kei class Alto. Though the Alto is still going strong in Japan, the quirky Mighty Boy lasted just six years. It was the only Kei car ever to feature a hood in front and a utility bed in the back (“coupe utility,” they called it). The apparent and considerable utility meant the Mighty Boy was a commercial vehicle, and could thus take advantage of lower tax rates.
Under hood is a transverse three-cylinder engine of 543 cubic centimeters of displacement. Front-drive was the only way to distribute the power, and it went through a four-speed manual transmission or a two-speed automatic. Presumably the first speed was “go” and the second was “go a bit more.” The engine provides a total of 28 horsepower. Think about that for a moment.
Our Mighty Boy today is one of highest trim. The PS-L received huge 12-inch wheels (the standards were 10-inchers), bucket seats, some luggage rails, and a real tachometer. It got one additional speed in the manual gearbox, for a total of five.
Unlike most Kei offerings, the Mighty Boy was distributed in two export markets outside of Japan. It found its way to Australia and Cyprus for three years, from ’85 to ’88. The manual version was the cheapest vehicle available Down Under at the time.
This one looks in great condition (44,000 miles). It would be a stand-out in any traffic situation, as Escalades and F-150s lose sight of the Mighty Boy under their massive hoods. See the photo above, comparing its size against the mighty El Camino.
Look at all this truck! It’s yours for $8,500.
[Images via seller]
Sounds like the name of a dog food, or a shop vac.
Or the new big sandwich at Big Boy.
It’s a Suzuki, so I think it could use a Hayabusa swap.
It looks like the El Camino should be carrying the Mighty Boy in it’s bed.
Imagine someone offering to help you move, because he has a “truck”, and showing up with this.
Oh goody! You can carry one dresser! Without clothing in it, because otherwise you won’t be able to make it up the hill.
Dresser? Hah! Maybe the dresser drawers.
However it is probably capable of performing about 90% of the daily duties that about 50% of new pick-ups currently on the road perform.
You mean like attaining a speed over 60 mph?
A speed we can only dream of attaining during the morning and evening commute in many large urban centres. Yet still there are many new pick-ups in the driveways or parked on the street (no driveway parking in the ‘core’ of the city) primarily leased by non-contractors/construction/agricultural workers. Or if older, owned by students. Used mostly for commuting and the occasional trip to the local ‘building centre’.
I understand. People can drive whatever they want, so long as they use it to its potential 100% of the time, or it meets with the approval of everyone around them.
That’s why you drive a Spark?
And where did you read any of what you believe was written?
What was written was that the little Suzuki was actually capable of performing most of the tasks required on a daily basis by urban pick-ups.
Just like an old Taurus, if someone is willing to spend the time and money keeping it in good nick can perform most of the same functions as a new sedan.
an iQ would suit me just fine. i will stick with my xA because its been paid for the past 11 years, looks and drives like new, does what i want.
And probably spew double the pollution in to the air of a modern pickup too!
Looks like it would fit in the bed of a non-crew cab half ton.
I love it. But, I have a thing for Kei vehicles, oddballs, and quirky Japanese vehicles. This one hits on many levels.
I nominate Vulpine to go buy this trucklet, and give it the love it deserves.
Nice find, Chris and Corey.
It’s very charming with those plaid seats. If it could talk, it’d say “I can do it!” in a confident voice.
I’m hearing “I do it! I do it!” in a high-pitched voice, followed by a tantrum if not allowed to do it.
I always talked about getting a Brat, but unfortunately never did. Most have long since rusted away in Ontario.
So, I’m assuming you lived on a rural farm when you were considering it?
We needed a vehicle for a small landscaping business. 2 lawnmowers, a weed whacker and some shovels/racks, etc.
A Brat was more suitable than an El Camino for the role but would have liked a real ‘ute.
Dang, this could have saved Suzuki in the USA. Imagine the droves of people clamoring for one of these at Suzuki dealers.
Okay, maybe not.
S I D E K I C K XS
I think the later/larger/similar-looking X90 would’ve sold better if it lost the trunklid and was called the Mighty Man.
X90 and the Honda del Sol, two vehicles begging to be turned into Coupe Utilities.
Basically this happened, with a Pulsar Sportbak.
It’s cute. I like it.
If I owned one of these I’d need a Nash Metropolitan for goin to Town!
Not many were sold and now they have become a cult car.
They were under powered and slow.
I used to own the ‘normal’ hatchback version (Alto), and while very economical transport, shitbox doesn’t even begin to describe it. Dangerously slow (I spent many commutes drafting behind larger vehicles) and uncomfortably small inside.
Did get 40+mpg from the 3-cylinder engine – still not worth it, even at European gas prices.
8500 isn’t a bad price, maybe a little more than it would cost to import one yourself but the work is done for you.
I assume this is Vulpine’s dream.
“All work, and no play? Give Jack a Mighty Boy!”
Unfortunately for my slogan, this thing looks like it would have even more trouble getting up the road to the Overlook than the Torrances’ Beetle.
Cute little thing. Did Isuzu borrow the styling (scaled up a bit) when they created the 1989 Amigo?
My family in Australia had one of these, in the same red tone, up until about five years ago. Whenever I would visit, guess which vehicle they would loan me? Yeap, the trusty Mighty Boy.
It was a fascinating ride, and always a focus of curiosity from onlookers, even overseas. The bed was big enough to hold a large pizza (which makes sense, as this little use was marketed by Suzuki in Australia as the perfect urban pizza delivery vehicle). It was roomy enough, but gosh it was slow. Around town it was fine, but it struggled getting past 80km/h (48mph). That was about its top speed, and highway jaunts were daunting.
Regardless, I loved the thing and am shocked, and thrilled, to see one stateside
I frequently find myself making comments like: “this would actually satisfy all my needs”.
Can’t do it.
This this trucklet must have been the inspiration for the X-90… the only real difference is that the X-90 has a trunk.