In addition to old Volkswagen Beetles, other slow vehicles converted into a camper included the Toyota Hilux pickup with the small but mighty 20R 4-cylinder engine under the hood. The good news is these were darn near unkillable rigs, aside from rust; the bad news is you’re a sitting duck on the interstate given the rig’s inability to get out of its own way. However, the supposed goal of any camper is to avoid the highway system and look for solace on the hidden backroads of America. Is this cheerful Micro Mini Toyota R/V listed here on eBay your potential escape pod?
The Micro Mini was made by a company called Keystone, which apparently looked at the tiny Toyota and thought the only way to make it better was to stick a huge and heavy camper shell on the back. Aside from the poor power-to-weight ratio, I’m guessing they also saw an incredibly reliable truck to use for long-distance travel while also returning decent MPGs. Over the years, we’ve also need Nissan pickups of the same vintage used in this way, but the Toyota seems to have been the overwhelming favorite given how many more 2WD Hiluxes have been converted. You can’t beat the color scheme; it’s totally period correct.
Of course, the downside to any vintage camper is that they usually resemble their last occupants in the places you’re expected to sleep and shower. Fortunately, those individuals must have practiced good hygiene, as the interior of this camper is in spectacular condition for being this old and unrestored. The vinyl bucket seats are in great shape, as are the carpets. The other bit of good news? This is a manual transmission-equipped camper, which will make pushing this thing uphill a bit less taxing. Of course, it’s still not fast, but anything helps when you’re living with a 20R under the hood.
Power concerns aside, this is where the details really matter on an RV or camper conversion: the fake wood trim, the sleeping quarters, the roofline – you want these to be minty fresh. And with no evidence of water stains, one can assume this Toyota has survived so well because it’s either constructed to a high degree of quality, has been stored inside, or both. The legions of old campers with disgusting water pouring down the interior walls and the ceiling caved in is a familiar site for anyone who has considered buying such a rig, and this Toyota Micro Mini looks like a safe bet.
That’s not a ’79 – ’79’s were the new body style.
I recently saw this one featured somewhere.
Hi angliagt, I saw that too, and a research indicates, 1979 was the new style( 3rd gen) for pickups, but I believe these camper conversions still used leftover ’78 cabs and chassis.
A bit optimistic price, as usual, but a very nice clean unit. As kind of being in the loop with these, many are advertised for half that, and the ones Rocky Raccoon lives in, around a grand. Sorry, $16grand is just out of most folks range that might want this, you can get a barely used Sprinter type for that, but then you’ll miss all the fun of struggling in a cross/head wind, the line of impatient soccer moms, passing you on the shoulder,, Autoplace guy, “hmm, haven’t seen a water pump for a 20R in years, can have one next Tuesday,”,but IT’S WEDNESDAY!!!,,, and you haven’t even got to the campground yet for more shenanigans. Camping is great fun, but I’m afraid the ride in this may give people a bad start.
My first RV was an ’86 Toyota with a 22RE. It would just about hit 65 on flat ground, but got 10 mpg with one 16 gallon tank. My trip from New York to Oregon ended in Nebraska, when the transmission exploded, but it was automatic. Fool me once…
Ya toyota reliability is a myth, pupariated by legendary marketing. I made a damn good living fixing those cars that don’t brake. Put two kids through college working at a toyota dealership.
Rented one of these for 3 weeks in New Zealand. Dubbed it Pokey for its phenomenal lack of speed up hills. Being NZ, it was right hand drive, 5 speed manual, COLUMN SHIFT. Which took a bit of practice for all three of us!!
Wasn’t this on here once before, not that long ago?
Wasn’t this on here once before, not terribly long ago?
The VIN tag is March 78. I had a 20R in a 78 Celica with a 5 speed. Very solid engine, as were most of the Toyota engines in the 70s (had a Corolla with a 2TC as well), but not a particularly exciting one. I’m sure someone was able to hop them up, but I not I. Tried a Weber on it to no special effect. Bought it for $400 with about 100K, put about 50K on it and sold it for $500. I thought that they were very nice looking cars for the 70s.
Two spare tires. The one in front of the grill might be helpful when it’s cold outside. Move it to the rear bumper shelf. Lose the one under the chassis. Has to be a big hassle to drop it down. Will save a little weight. Just my two cents.
I’m sure this is a solid citizen in its day. After all the speed limit was 55 mph. But I would estimate that that these were misery on four wheels. The slow car you drive slowly. I’ll call Steve. He’s all about traveling no more than 300 miles a day.
I don’t care how nice it looks. NEVER BUY A USED RV WITHOUT TAKING A GOOD LOOK AT THE ROOF!!!! Particularly an RV with corrugated sides! A buddy’s daughter just bought a used Camp trailer. It was gorgeous! Better than new at Avery fair price. I asked about the roof and all I got was a blank stare. I got a ladder and climbed up to find a 5″ hole in the roof close to the back corner. (Punctured by a tree limb possibly) It had been there a long time and you could see the rotting wood framework. It was close enough to the back wall were all the rain just ran down the inside of the wall and not seen. It was a real shame because the rest was great. I have a very high quality 5th wheel with 2 slides and all the goodies. It will needs it’s third rubber/vinyl roof in 2 or three years. They either dry out and split or rot away and split.
Just words of an experienced RVer and repair guy from way back.
It’s in very nice condition, but . . . Big Big But, $16,500. ? Really ? NOPE !
This was listed on BF a few weeks ago. I saved the listing on eBay and the seller offered me a grand off the asking price a couple of weeks back, which I declined because I only bookmarked it to see what it sells for. Having said that I’m glad it got relisted because I learned a lot more about them from the new posts and I’m now rethinking getting one altogether.
The ad says “everything on this camper works as it should”. But one of the pics shows an open toilet flange in the floor with no toilet on it.
I guess you are supposed to do your business down that 4.5 inch hole, hope you ring it, and thus it “works as it should” ??