As the years roll by, the US rule allowing a person to import a foreign car so long as it is more than 25 years old is bringing ever more interesting metal onto our shores. From Japan, we’re seeing cute Kei cars, stompin’ Subarus, tiny SUVs, and compact campers. Of course, right-hand drive is a feature of Japanese cars but so long as buyers can adapt to left-hand shifting, owning a JDM (Japanese domestic market) vehicle is within reach. If you want to dip your toe in the water, here on eBay is a 1996 Toyota HiAce Bambee camper; the seller wants a starting bid of $20,000, and there are no takers yet. This camper is ready to take to the mountains or the sea, but currently, it’s in Moreno Valley, California. Maybe drive it the long way home!
A slight shadow lurks over this seller – figuratively, I mean. It was listed here in early February and bid to $14k but the listing was terminated by the auction house without an explanation for that action. You can read the comments and draw your own conclusions. Aside from navigating that pitfall, the vehicle itself appears to be in great condition. It was imported last December and has a clear title. Its 2.8-liter in-line four-cylinder is easy on fuel and the odometer shows only 58,000 kilometers. The gearbox is a four-speed automatic with push-button overdrive. The underside doesn’t look new, but it’s not derelict either.
The interior is spiffy, with nary any wear evident. Air conditioning, a backup camera, and power windows will make any American feel at home. Speaking of home, the living quarters are nicely equipped with a queen-sized bunk bed over the cab, a dinette, stove, refrigerator, plenty of storage, and a wet bath. Technically it will sleep six very good friends.
Toyota began making the HiAce in 1967 and production has continued through six generations in myriad body styles, including ambulances and fire trucks. Aftermarket and OEM parts are readily available, even from Amazon. While the HiAce is a rare sight in the US for now, it might become a lot more common as the years roll by, thanks to its simplicity, practicality, and reasonable price. This HiAce is priced fully versus competing offerings, but the camper body is likely more desirable than the more common van. What do you think – would you own this compact camper?
Well, like most of the half-baked plans of mine, the RV thing has fizzled too. This looks to be as stable as a drunk on payday. Crosswinds and it won’t be easy on gas, as your foot will be on the floor all day. I had similar conversations with old bosses,,,to no avail, I might add. It sure is nice on the inside. Those little bathrooms give me the heebie-jeebies, but better than standing outside, I suppose. I don’t know, being right hand drive, do the Asians take to the hills, if any in Japan? I’m sure not, and made for the RHD European market, of which I bet is as big or bigger than ours,,,although ours is pretty big.
Reason for the change of heart? I’ve realized, I’ve traveled enough in my life, and with the mishigosh in the world today, it makes my cozy govt. assisted apt. seem much more attractive and safe.Now, about that vintage British roadster,,,,,
You repeat an error I find unconscionable – referring to “the RHD European market.” ALL my cars are RHD and I’m shocked at the deplorable state of our educational system that so many people will look at one of my cars and say “Wow, right hand drive, must be European, huh?” EUROPEANS drive their cars from the left side, on the right side of the road JUST LIKE USA. It is the Brits, Australians, Japanese and some Caribbean islands that are the primary RHD markets. And to those who think they could not drive RHD in USA my response is “Well, then you better not drive LHD either because there’s no difference! You still stop when the light is red, go when it is green. You just have a passenger seat to the left of you, that’s it.”
I agree. RHD expands driver skills. I always drive when we go to England (sometimes have trouble getting myself back to the right lane once I return ha ha), and we have ended up with a dollop of RHD cars in our barns over the years. It’s now as natural for me as LHD.
Americans also forget that we once drove our cars from the right – as a compensation when we shared the road with horse-drawn buggies.
It’s not that simple. Gone for 3 years as a postgraduate student in Britain & driving a left (EU) hand drive car there, you need to pay more attention especially when you overtake & around squares if you go back & forth between EU and Britain. Your automatic reflexes may fool you.
There are more LHD UK-registered cars than you might imagine.
Plus, millions of us Brits take our RHD cars into LHD Europe every year (and vice versa) for both work and leisure without incident.
For anyone who is a relatively competent driver, the side where the steering wheel sits is actually irrelevant whichever country you may be in, provided you’re following the rules of the road and not being stupid.
There isn’t really a huge RHD European market to speak of. UK and Ireland is all that’s RHD.
There are hills in Japan. I think the reliability factor would be a major factor with this Toyota Hiace. I would rather hold out for a Mitsubishi Delica
It is not a camper, it is a motorhome. Campers are RV’s that fit in the bed of pickup truck.
Was there a Super Bambee?
P.S. Howard, you would NEVER want to drive this on I-25 in southern Colorado.
Not just I-25. I was traversing part of Kansas east to west on US-56 outside of Council Grove some years ago and had the privilege of watching a bull hauler lift the outside wheel/axle on his trailer. Fascinating. It was in an area where the roadbed aternates between hilltops and valley cuts. He managed to pull it back from the “edge”. I am glad that I was not the one that had to clean out his underpants afterward.
edit: –watching a bull hauler lift the outside wheel/axle on his trailer due to high crosswinds. —
I had trouble keeping my R1200GS on the road crossing the TX panhandle and most of OK, and that has almost no sidewall to catch wind at all. I think with something like this I would have just had to stop until the wind died (which I’m told it almost never does).
Well, at least I’d be comfortable there on the side of the road.
Same for me on my Electraglide going over the Bourne Bridge in Massachusetts
Yes indeed, buy this and head east. Find some migrants heading that way so they can push it up and over the Rockies. Avoid all interstates around any metro area at rush hours… I dunno this or a 70s 454 Mini Winnie. I’m thinking Hilton for the stay or we’ll leave the light on.
It’s very nice if you’re 4ft tall and don’t drive over 50mph.
How do you wipe your butt? Visions of banging your head, and bumping your elbow
Nice little motorhome. Cheerful interior. The only negatives are right hand drive and a bit top heavy.
Lovely looking Toyota camper. It’s too bad this was never offered here in the USA.
It’s a cute RV that’s perfect for a couple; although it can sleep up to 6, everyone will be packed in there like sardines. And I don’t like the fact that it’s not a dually; stability issues at any speed over 35 will be guaranteed. Good if your destinations are short and on backroads, or if you’re using it as a mother-in-law suite in your backyard. ;)
How does anyone see sleeping accommodation for 6? Humans? I see a cozy spot for 2 over the cab and 2 more when the table comes down. Where are the other 2 going? One across the sink and stove and one on the floor, perhaps?
How does anyone see sleeping accommodation for 6? Humans? I see a cozy spot for 2 over the cab and 2 more when the table comes down. Where are the other 2 going? One across the sink and stove and one on the floor, perhaps?
I’ve never driven an RHD unit in the US, but I have driven LHD units in countries that drive on the left and found them very impractical. That and the shortcomings mentioned above require a pass.
RHD in this vehicle in this country amounts to more blinds spots then I can even count. Imagine you have one of today’s giant SUVs in front of you and one in back of you. Not much to see.Throw in a diesel engine that I wouldn’t know how to work on if stranded somewhere. And don’t forget getting parts for this.
It’s actually a nice little unit for where it was meant to be sold.
Just as many blind spots no matter what side you’re sitting on. I have yet to see someone uncomfortable driving one of my RHD cars after no more than 5 minutes behind the wheel. As I always say, if you can’t drive RHD then you shouldn’t drive LHD either.
I dunno. I got ahold of some English thing that showed up at the yard. I think it was a Vauxhall, some little four door thing. I had fun with it and parallel parking in the city was a pleasure aaaaand you hoped out at the curb not in traffic. No parts and it was a tired old thing but I would certainly love my Integra to be a right hand drive or a Rolls.
I have reviewed the old Bring-A-Trailer auction and their sanctimonious BullShirt is laughable at their supposed umbrage at the obvious shill bidding and their alleged commitment to integrity. They write: “The integrity of our marketplace is more important than allowing this auction to close with these questions in mind. One of our top priorities is to ensure that bidders are not placed into a bad position, and we also strive to present the listings as accurately as we can.” As one who has had many dealings with BAT I can say I’m always appalled at their refusal to correct inaccuracies in their listings, their toleration of shill bidding when done by dealer(s) with significant sales volume on their site and their continual censorship of any comment that one tries to post that points these things out.
Shame that this is the wrong side of the pond, otherwise I’d be all over this one!
Great RV for one person. Interior is pretty neutral and not going to be dated. I would look into getting tires/rims farther outboard for a little more stability. Lot of room in that wheel well.
Death trap
This ad shows zero photos of inside the camper. Cab & exterior look in great shape. Also running on diesel is going to be costly.
Not when you cancel out the extra mpg from each gallon!
“yup” to all dat: diesel, cab over, etc cept the extra beds (lill bumpy w/cab over) and the RHD? kills it (for me) no matter the driving location (rural, suburban, city). Easy to swap (every time I go Bermuda) just too inconvieant (& somewhat dangerous w/all the rds/traffic doin the other).