I live near a golf course and utilize the public roadways that bisect it regularly. The other day, I noticed that the greenskeepers were all out in force as the entire course, fairways, greens, driving range, etc. are getting a complete redo. The greenskeepers drive around in these small utility pickups that are not unlike this 1985 NAMCO Pony Super. I’ve never heard of such a vehicle and was really surprised to learn that they’re Greek. We don’t even have a “Greece” selection in our WordPress dashboard for ” Vehicle Origin”, though I guess that’s not surprising. Anyway, this most unusual find, thanks to T.J., is located in Akron, Ohio and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,900.
NAMCO (National Motor Company of Greece) developed and manufactured this Pony Super from 1985 until 1992. This version of the Pony Super replaced the original “very basic” Pony which had ties to Citroen. This revised “Super” edition, which had involvement from the German company Inthelco, saw limited success in Greece and later plans to export large numbers to the U.S. never materialized. Offered in two and four-door body styles, the Pony Super mustered less than a thousand total copies.
How in the world this one ended up in the states is unknown but according to its VIN sequence, it is Number 1, the very first Pony Super produced. It has an all-steel body that the seller claims is rust-free but it will need a new rear section canvas top. Unfortunately, there are no images of the cargo bed included in the listing though there is no reason to suspect an issue. This trucklet only has 2,700 miles on its odometer so it still shows well.
For power, NAMCO used a 1.4 liter Ford four-cylinder, inline engine, capable of producing about 70 HP. It works through a four-speed manual transaxle (FWD) and the seller adds, “Engine runs well but gas tank needs to be cleaned out“. OK, well that sounds reasonable, at least you won’t have to go to the Parthenon to get parts.
We’re told that the upholstery is “excellent” and the interior, basic as it is, does appear to be very clean. It looks like the inside environment from an ’80s GEO or Suzuki – just the bare minimum.
I could see owning this tiny truck. It would be helpful to anyone who has a sizeable piece of property where a small utility truck, one that can handle a little bit of off-roading rough-housing, is needed. And it doesn’t sound as if it will be a herculean task to get this Pony Super completely ready for the road. My only hang-up is the price, what do you think, priced right or not quite?
“…a herculean task”. I saw what you did there. I wonder what happened to the back rest release lever on the passenger seat?
“at least you won’t have to go to the Parthenon to get parts” also deserves an Honorable Mention! Price is too high unless you both desired it as a collectible and needed it to keep the grounds clean around the Acropolis.
If you like oddities, this should be in your collection. It looks like it would be easy to replicate with Lego blocks.
When I was in college, I can recall the landscaping folks running around campus in those tiny Japanese kei trucks, which were similar in size. They were obviously not registered for use on public roads, but somebody must’ve been importing them for this sort of function. Seemed like they fit the task quite nicely.
Are you sure the greenskeepers weren’t driving Cushmans?
I dare someone to pick up this unusual truck and emblazon “TONKA” across the back tailgate………
…and just like my old Tonka truck, I could probably still fill up the back bed with my two bare hands.
How about “Playmobil”. A quick guess on how it got here. The article mentioned NAMCO wanted to export them to the US. This prototype was shipped over to show to prospective investors.
Kim,
I believe you are probably correct, it was the vehicle brought over to show investors, and car dealerships wanting a cheap truck to sell. It may well be the only one imported to North America. Many import companies made arrangements with the various US Federal agencies to bring in 1 or 2 vehicles on special bonds, either for testing, certification work, or to show investors.
I would be interested in seeing more photos of the engine compartment and the driver’s door “B” post, where the USA certification stickers would likely be attached. There is a good possibility that the car was brought in on a bond, but never made to conform to the YOM DOT and EPA specifications.
Note the speedometer is in KPH only. Speedos were required to have MPH as the larger primary numbers, and KPH listed in smaller numbers. In order to meet the import requirements [when a NEW vehicle] it has to have the MPH/KPH speedo. Plus the headlights are not DOT approved, and it doesn’t have front & rear fender side lights.
I would ask for evidence of the importation paperwork and make sure it has a state title that is free of restrictions. The title might be listed as an exhibit only or off-road only use. Note on the tailgate where the license plate light is located, there are no holes or brackets to attach a license plate. That suggests it’s never been licensed. It could also explain why it has so little mileage.
If there is a state title, it will also have a code that indicates how many previous titles have been issued to the vehicle. I would do a quick title search and determine which state was the original issuer of the first title, and make sure they have evidence of the DOT and EPA ‘OK to import’ paperwork for the vehicle. If those papers don’t exist in the records, it’s possible the Feds, on seeing a VIN show up that matches one for a vehicle that has overstayed its bond, The vehicle owner may be told to export the car or pay the US Customs duty based on the original price when the vehicle was first brought into the country, and for trucks, that was a steep 25% of it’s wholesale price, plus possible penalty fees.
The ad makes no mention of a title, so beware. This isn’t a 1950s or earlier vehicle that is easy to get a title for, it’s from a time where the US government tracked EVERY single new vehicle coming into the country. It may not be legally possible to license this for the road, not even with historic tags, if it was brought in under those restrictions.
Now don’t get me wrong, I like unusual vehicles [always have], and if I still had a big collection of cars, I would love to have this in my collection. But without the proper paperwork guaranteeing the car has a legal right to reside in the USA, it’s too expensive a chance.
Want to buy it; do your homework. If it’s legit, I think it’s a steal. If not, it could be a costly headache.
Update to my comments:
The NAMCO website says this about the Pony: “Large orders of PONY®, hundreds of thousands vehicles were sold to the U.S.A. with the cooperation of FORD.”
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Pony’s sold to the USA? Any one else ever seen one? Even if they were sold to golf courses or for use in large manufacturing facilities, at that rate they should have been everywhere! Even if it was only ONE hundred thousand sold in the USA, that averages out to 2,000 per state. Hell, I don’t think Cushman ever made that many enclosed Cushman Trucksters!
I did however forward the facebook ad link to NAMCO in Greece, If it is such a successful sales record, a company of that size may want to buy the first production PONY back to display in their museum.
For a time you could buy a shipping container of right-hand drive, 4 X 4 mini Japanese pickups, some with dumpbeds for $16,000 to $20,000, including the container, delivered. All ran and most were in fair condition, but you never knew. After they tore up their GEO – Suzuki 4 X 4’s the duck hunters and rice farmers bought thousands, kept a couple for parts, sold the rest and got their money back. Now nearly all are littering the area behind their shops.
https://www.ts-export.com/page.php?page=about_kei_mini_trucks
No air conditioning? LOL….
Too much for an unknown pickup.
When I first saw the photo I thought someone modified a Yugo
it’s “Jason and the Golden Fleece” all over again, with “fleece” being the operative word.
What a interesting thing to have, if you live near where they build the aluminum or fiberglass truck canopies you can get a custom top for it and just have fun with it
I’ll say it! Drop a LS engine and 6 spd tranny in it! Joking! I worked on a golf course back in the late 60′-70’s, and we had a small truck, a Cony. It was licensed to go on the road. That thing was a hoot to drive! I don’t even know if they are still being built. They don’t meet the USA safety and emissions standards.
I wonder if that is the correct grille. It looks like a ‘67-‘68 Camaro Rally Sport center grille.
just right for the DIYers. A pan break, siding (like alu or vinyal siders use) break, etc could make up replacement panels (and the ‘topper’ Troy looks 4 above) but where are the other (mechanical) replacement prts. Yeah easy if on the ford Kent ‘crossflow’ motor but U’d hafta re-line the shoes to service break drums, adapt alternators, etc…
Funny, thought it said NAPCO (quite a different ‘car’ company) but that’s how I’d use it. Here, back east, we have much smaller places to get into so I think smaller is better’n the frnt WD might help. (I hate FBMrktPl).
Needs an oil change and Greece job . . .
I like this quirky little truckster. Not for the ask price but for maybe 1/3 of that as I would run it all over the ranch here in Texas. Title, schmitle, it’s perfect for hauling stuff and running guests around the place.
And even at the current price is a lot less than even a used UTV (Mule, Ranger, Honda). All it would need for your guests would be a couple of rear golf cart seats mounted long wise. 😁