Fresh off the boat, this recently imported Japanese market 4×4 seeks a new owner in America. The right-hand-drive 1988 Suzuki Jimny Turbo 4×4 looks museum-ready in most regards. Own the only one on your block (or car show)! America knows these diminutive off-roaders as the Samurai, and they enjoy a rabid following and popularity as whimsical tow-behinds for the RV crowd.
The Jimny Turbo’s motorcycle-sized 543cc (33 cid) three-cylinder engine sports a tiny intercooler fed by the functional hood intake, the latter being exactly like your buddy’s GTO… sort-of. This Japan-only turbo Jimny made a blistering 50 HP, according to Wikipedia.
While rag-top Jimnys may have more fun in the sun, the hard-top offers quiet comfort and structural rigidity. This one will probably see as much off-roading as the Pope-Mobile. Speaking of Catholics, look at those virgin wheel-wells!
A typical ’80s array of dashboard rectangles greets the driver. Shifters for the five-speed manual and transfer case put you in control of on-road and off-road adventures. Fancy “Turbo” script reminds you that this is no ordinary 550 cc wheeler; every trip is a TURBO 550 cc adventure! Right-hand drive presents multiple disadvantages in America. Consider pulling out from parallel street parking and how suddenly vehicles emerging from driveways appear as you round tight corners with your eyeballs on the edge of the road instead of near the center line.
After the fall of the classic muscle car era came the ’80s, when stripes and as many words as possible on your vehicle emerged as a substitute for horsepower. Step aside, naturally aspirated 550 cc weenies; the Turbo, Electronic Fuel-Injected, Intercooled, five-speed, four-wheel-drive white painted-frame, ram-air Jimny is coming through! Check out more details on this Levittown, Pennsylvania Suzuki here on eBay where at least six bidders have its value over $7000 in the auction’s waning hours. How far will bidding go on this curious ’80s 4×4?
I like it,Howard give your 2cents..
Meh,,
Todd, you nailed it with the “ ’80s array of dashboard rectangles greets the driver” ! If that doesn’t sum up the whole decade, nothing does.
I’d hold out for a US-spec Samurai with the NA 1.3 and wider track front and rear – this version was made to fit within kei-class limits not for any technical advantages.
Yumpin’ Yimney,,a Turbo 550,( whistles), I’m sorry, if you are a red blooded American, and would even consider something like this, you have problems. Some stats, 0-60 in 19.1, 1/4 mile, 20.6 @61, again, VW performance, not an intended strong point, and one would think, okay, maybe it shines in the gas mileage dept. Nope, at best, maybe 25mpg so what’s the attraction here? The cost. While a ’88 4 Runner was around $12grand, and a CJ 7 for around $11, these listed for about $7800, and were the poster child for rollover recalls, although, I don’t think it was any worse than any other 4×4 of the day. I think the Samari will go down as the worst 4×4 to come across the ocean. And to top it off, the gol’ dang steering wheel is on the wrong side,,Had a friend with a Samari, went through 3 motors, and rusted from day 1. She even admitted it was a poor mistake buying one.
Wait a minute Howard you found a female that admitted she made a mistake, that was probably a dude.
I was stationed in Japan in the mid 80’s and a buddy had one of these. it would out perform anything in the mud/dirt under 10mph! It could climb the side of a building in 1st gear but struggled to get onto a highway at speed.
Great little truck but not sure what you’d do with it now.
Now when I go to church i will be checking all the wheel wells lol
just turboed a Tracker. Has the back 1/3 vert so gets a lill more air. Needed to convert to manual for the owner too. Just finished w/a new gas tank. Not sure if anything’s left to do on it…
I like the samuri (hrd top, lill different style~
The jimny hasa cult following, good rep (abilities in the gradients). Didnt know there were oe turbo models…