Here’s a compact pickup that managed to dodge the 25% “chicken tax” to find itself in the good ole US of A. The chicken tax was a retaliatory measure taken against Europe in 1964, which had tariffed imports of US chicken; it applied to all light trucks, and it remains in place today. The imposition of this tax effectively handed the domestic light truck segment to the Big Three. That said, HiLux trucks did trickle into the US, but without beds; making the beds and conducting final assembly in America effectively evaded the tax. This little guy is for sale here on craigslist, with an asking price of $12,500. It can be driven home from Simi Valley, California. The odometer reads just 9269 miles, and while the seller doesn’t claim that figure is “original”, he does indicate “extremely low milage (sic)”. Thanks, T.J., for another great find!
The HiLux was sold all over the world (except here!) starting in 1968. It was based on a rudimentary light truck made by Hino Motors called the Briska, and it was launched after Toyota and Hino were forced into a marriage through an affiliate agreement. The new model was given an upgraded interior and a slightly more powerful engine. It hit the market’s sweet spot – comfortable, handy, and with improved load and towing capacity. The first engines were 1.5-liter fours, but by the time 1974 arrived, the HiLux was running a 2.0-liter, good for 97 hp. The “C” at the end of the engine code – 18R-C – indicates the engine was built to California emissions standards. This one looks like it might be wearing a Weber. A four-speed manual brings power to the rear wheels.
The interior looks simple, but as noted, this is swanky compared to the Briska’s cabin. The covered dash, with gauges inset into its cavity, even the patterned and padded upholstery – all these features advanced driver comfort and safety. Speaking of the dash, it’s cracked, unfortunately. This is an aftermarket steering wheel; the original is a spacey-looking affair, with an oddly large center section.
I can’t fault the body or paint, though photos don’t compare to a personal inspection. The rear bumper looks like an add-on; the grille up front is painted body color rather than factory black. Other than these few nits, it’s a handsome truck, ready to work. As usual, asking prices are all over the map, so we try to find actual sales to benchmark asking prices. This example sold for $12,251 a year ago, so I’d say our subject truck is right on the market.
Man,,,a huge nod to the Asians sticking it to the man shipping incomplete trucks. Pretty clever. I read, an outfit called Atlas Fabricators in Long Beach, supplied all the pickup boxes, and why they all have those hooks on the sides and don’t match the cab lines, like Studebakers with a Dodge box. Can you imagine that contract? Eventually, Toyota bought Atlas, and Datsun did the same thing.
Sorry, it’s 109K, but even still, remarkable to see one at all like this. Entirely possible in S.Cal,,,Medford, Wis. not so much. We laughed at these in the late 60s, where’s the rest of it, we joked,,nothing will replace our beloved F150, well, “we”, sure ate our words there. They were great trucks, if rust didn’t kill them first.
I agree Howard. These were/are terrific trucks. Its always a treat to see one in this nice of a condition. And, Michelle, I have learned yet another new tidbit from you. I didn’t know about the Hino connection with Toyota. Great little Toyota here, and a great write up too Michelle. Great research too. Thank you.
I like any of these older rigs w/the single thickness beds but never paint any vehicle (plane, train, boat, car, etc) yellow.
Have one of these ina ‘Starlet” package @ the strip asa under 8 sec car.
Just got my own 1st Toy for daily. “It’s not just the 22R.” But watch out for
some. The co does make some dingers. This one? I could go 1/2 the ask…
So not for me~
I remember as a thirteen year old with my first summer job my “boss” (the owners’ son) had one of these. I didn’t realize until years later that he was only three years older than me. I drove it a few times when he needed me to, it didn’t matter so much back then that I was under age. Seeing this little truck brings back the memories of the fun times I had at that job.
Michelle, autocorrect strikes again? The chicken tax was on Japan, not Europe. Good thing we don’t have any retaliatory “taxes” like that now…
I get your clever remark, however we do still have the tax on some models. The small ProMaster and Transit cargo vans from Turkey were shipped with a second row seat effectively making them passenger vans, or station wagon s. At port the seat is removed making them a C/V again. They still come through with the proper VINs so you know all is accounted for.
The “chicken tax” — so-called because it was in retaliation to European (initially French and West German) tariffs on imported chicken — was on all US imports of potato starch, dextrin, brandy, and light trucks, regardless of country of origin.
Soon all but the light truck tariff got lifted, which remained on all imports but happened to hit Japan predominantly as the foremost importer of light trucks by then.
I remember in the 80s, a lot of Toyota trucks were shipped cab and chassis only. The beds were made somewhere in California with recycled metal, and they rusted out quickly. You could always spot one of these beds , because of the spot weld marks above the wheel. They also didn’t have a locking gas cap.
I bought a ’72-1/2 RN22 from our neighbors,who bought it
brand new 6 months before.It had four valve jobs done on it in
62,000 miles.I called that 18 RC engine a “valve burner four”,&
swore that I’d never buy another Toyota after that,then I drove a
’76 Long Bed SR5,& ended up buying a new ’77 that I drove over
60,000 miles in in less than three years.
These trucks didn’t have a lot of leg room,or power,& couldn’t
tow much either.
I found this one in a wrecking yard in Oak Level a few years
back,& was tempted,as it didn’t seem to have a lot rust on it.I could
have bought it for $300.It’s long gone now,as they crushed some of
the vehicles that had been there for a while.
This isn’t a stock ’74 color.